Blogs

Through the Eyes of an Educator: Back to School—Managing expectations

by Stacey Ebert /
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Sep 08, 2021 / 0 comments

‘Expectation is the root of all heartache’ - William Shakespeare

Artist Spotlight: Kippy Sage

by Dr. Jessie Voigts /
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Sep 01, 2021 / 0 comments

 

The minute I saw the art of Kippy Sage, I was entranced. There's a certain joie de vivre that glows from within her art; her creativity is extraordinary! Read on for more about Kippy, including inspiration, finding her art online, and a special project with the Smithsonian.

Without further ado, the words and art of Kippy Sage...

Artist Spotlight: Kippy Sage

Music for summer's end and autumn's beginning

by Kerry Dexter /
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Aug 16, 2021 / 0 comments

Summer's end, autumn's beginning, shifting times global and local, time to reflect wherever you may find yourself and in whatever season.

As ever, changes and choices are in the wind.

Music for summer's end and autumn's beginning

Through the Eyes of an Educator: Connections

by Stacey Ebert /
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Aug 02, 2021 / 0 comments

“Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart” - Winnie the Pooh

History Comes Alive in Poipu, Kauai

by Sandy Bornstein /
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Jul 21, 2021 / 0 comments

When planning our recent anniversary getaway to Kauai, Hawaii, I did not spend time researching historical sites. With less than a week at this romantic destination, our emphasis was on outdoor adventures and food. At this point in our lives, we are extremely grateful for the time we spend together. Ira was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable brain cancer, approximately a year ago.

Music for Connection and Celebration

by Kerry Dexter /
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Jul 19, 2021 / 0 comments

Finding connection, celebrating difference, taking joy in the small things on the way to those discoveries: music can be a gateway to all those things.

Music for Connection and Celebration

Through the Eyes of an Educator: Cultivating Positive Energizers

by Stacey Ebert /
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Jul 12, 2021 / 0 comments

‘Energizers stimulate vitality in others; by interacting with energizers, others feel motivated and inspired. Energy givers are optimistic, attentive, reliable, and unselfish. They attract others.’ 
- Marcella Bremer (Positive Energizers)

Artist Spotlight: Jasmine Zhang

by Dr. Jessie Voigts /
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Jul 07, 2021 / 0 comments

With a conceptual approach, Chinese-born and Oakland-based interdisciplinary artist Zhang Mengjiao, aka Jasmine’s work investigates social issues of “immigration” and explores questions pertinent to the autonomy behind being a woman of color, Chinese, artist, and human being. Her socially engaged art takes the form of photography, texts, painting, performance video, and sculptural installations.

Exploring Nature in Music

by Kerry Dexter /
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Jun 21, 2021 / 0 comments

Nature is a deep source of inspiration for musicians. At times, that might lead to a symphony, or a concerto. It might lead to a children's song, a dance tune, or a hymn. There are many paths to explore and consider nature through music, through stories of weather, time, space, landscape, and many more aspects.

Exploring Nature in Music

Through the Eyes of an Educator: The Art of Doing Versus Being

by Stacey Ebert /
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Jun 07, 2021 / 0 comments

“I think, in the Western world, we have gotten overly identified with doing, and we’ve kind of forgotten the art of being. And we don’t see value in it; we think that if you’re not doing something all of the time, being very active and producing something, then you’re sort of wasting your time.” - Shakti Gawain

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