Celebrate children’s songs and learn about children’s music at the “Artists & Educators Children’s Songs Conference & Festival,” 9am–3pm, Saturday, April 6, in the Clarke Center at Mitchell College. The event features a conference geared toward musicians and educators and a Festival of Song that is open to the public.
Artists & Educators Conference (9am–noon)
The day kicks off with a conference featuring workshops on a variety of topics including Music in the Classroom, Contemporary Recording Techniques, The Business of Children’s Music, Teachers Making Music, and more. Workshop presenters Chris Clouet, Al DeCant, Steve Elci, and Greg Lato also perform at the afternoon Festival of Song. Conference attendance includes lunch and admission to the afternoon festival. Admission is free for teachers, as well as Mitchell College students and alumni. Other adults pay $15.
Register for the Conference Here (includes lunch and afternoon festival)
Children’s Songs Festival (1–3pm)
Families are invited to join conference participants for an energetic program of children’s songs from a variety of genres performed by the workshop presenters. Admission is free for children, teachers, and Mitchell College students and alumni. Other adults pay $10.
Register for the Children’s Song Festival Here
Questions? Email clouet_c@mitchell.edu.
About the Conference Presenters/Festival Performers
Chris Clouet, currently Head of the Education Department at Mitchell College, served as a bilingual elementary school teacher in Bridgeport. He has written and performed many children’s songs, typically paired with children’s books.
Al DeCant, also known as “The Singing Principal,” is a critically acclaimed performer and educator from Connecticut who has entertained and educated thousands of young people through his programs of music and storytelling.
Steve Elci is a singer/songwriter who says his vision for his work is “edutainment” or learning through music. Part of the fabric of the music and arts community in Southeastern Connecticut, he connects positively with his audience through original songs, educational messages, and creative dance steps.
Greg Lato is an award-winning family musician and songwriter from Providence, Rhode Island. He is a Family Music artist and a children’s book author.
The Artists & Educators Children’s Songs Conference & Festival is sponsored by the Aspiring Educators Club and the Department of Education of Mitchell College, and co-sponsored by the Alewife Cove Conservancy and Connecticut Education Association (CEA).
