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Growing up in the Glens Falls area, Brian Chevalier
always loved music – playing it, singing it and learning about it in
school. And now, the married dad and Glens Falls resident, can return
the favor through his numerous programs at area schools as a visiting
teaching artist.
“I’ve been making my living as a musician for the past 20
years now,” said Chevalier, who studied classical guitar in college.
“Now I visit area children at schools and teach them the process of
music-making.” He is currently working as an Artist-in-residence at
several schools in the capital region and also travels throughout New
York State with musician Susan Hamlin performing their program called
Reading Rocks, which bolsters reading enthusiasm for elementary-aged
students. Chevalier has also been working for The Capitol Region Center
for Arts in Education and receives on-going professional development in
workshops and seminars from The Lincoln Center Institute and has been
trained in the Lincoln Center approach to Aesthetic Education.
A recent
artist-in-residence program he did included a collaborative effort with
a class of elementary students where they wrote five songs together. Chevalier brings his recording equipment from his home studio along;
recordings sessions are done in the classroom; and then he returns home
to mix and master the sessions into bona fide folk songs. The artist
said that the beauty of the program is that it seamlessly blends the
artistic process with educational objectives. “There’s a very strong
tie-in with English Language Arts,” he said. “I also include themes like
character education where, through song lyrics, values like honesty and
the importance of diversity are emphasized.” Chevalier said the best
part about what he does is seeing the excitement in the students, not
just for the finished product, but also throughout the entire process. “The kids can even do art for the CD cover, they’re real involved in the
whole process,” he said. “The ownership is incredible, they’re very
proud of the songs.”
Chevalier and Hamlin’s “Reading Rocks” CD, which
features an array of area musicians, will be available this summer. His
“Absolutely Adirondack” CD is available at area stores and by calling
Chevalier at 798-2030 or e-mailing him at
songspun@nycap.rr.com.
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