Programs for Schools

A MUSICAL TRIP AROUND THE WORLD
Grade Levels: K-2 / 3-5
Maximum number of students: 250/performance
Length of Performance: 35-55 min.
Technical Requirements: PA with 2 microphones on stands (prefer boom or gooseneck)
Study Guide provided.

"A performer to remember!"
Director, Kennedy Center; Washington DC

A MUSICAL TRIP AROUND THE WORLD is totally participatory in nature. Through multi-lingual singing, students will gain a perception of the rich differences that exist between cultures, while also sensing the universal nature of music that binds the world together as one family. Students may learn a bi-lingual Puerto Rican song celebrating the human family, a Kiswahili counting song, an animal song in French, a clock song in Danish, a mystery song in Japanese, or a New Orleans vegetarian jazz song. Many songs will also be accompanied with Sign Language.

"Awesome singing!!"
Atlanta 3rd Grader

Singer/Guitarist ELISE WITT was born in Switzerland, raised in North Carolina and since 1977 has made her home in Atlanta. She speaks five languages fluently and sings in at least a dozen more. She has performed and taught everywhere from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and Clearwater Hudson River Revival; from the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to Passim Coffeehouse in Boston; from the Jinotepe Harvest Festival in Nicaragua to the Popular Music Festival in Siena, Italy and in schools around the United States and abroad. In 1995 she represented the state of Georgia at the Kennedy Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration, and for the year 2000 was chosen as one of 120 residency artists nationwide for "America Creates for the Millenium." Elise recently released OPEN THE WINDOW her eighth recording on the EMWorld label, and her music has been heard on radio and television worldwide.

"Elise Witt is a master at her craft, as proficient in the classroom as she is on the stage."
Arts Coordinator, O'Maley School, Gloucester MA

"A great inspiration for the students!"
Principal, North Charleston Elem., North Charleston SC

"Excellent! Fun and singable."
PTA Chair, Baucom Elem.; Apex NC

MUSIC IS LANGUAGE
Grade Levels: Middle School & High School Foreign Language Students
Maximum number of students: 30-50
Available as one-time Workshop or Residency (1-2 weeks)
Length of Workshop: 1-2 class periods
Study Guide provided.

"A performer to remember!"
Director, Kennedy Center; Washington DC

LANGUAGE IS MUSIC is for High School French, Spanish, and German students. Students and teachers alike are amazed how much easier it is to learn a foreign language through songs. Drawing on her vast repertoire of songs from Europe, Canada, South America, Africa, and the United States, Elise involves the students in a discovery of Music as a Language. Each culture brings its own rich linguistic characteristics to its music and has unique rhythms and melodies to share with the rest of the world. As Elise teaches songs she puts them into their cultural context with stories that tell where the song came from and how and why people came to sing and write these songs. Elise is also a stickler for pronunciation, but makes the speaking so much fun, that students find themselves sounding like native speakers in a very short time.

"She taught the students culture, pronunciation, and vocabulary words without the students even realizing it!"
Spanish Teacher, Barnesville HS; Barnesville GA

Singer/Guitarist ELISE WITT was born in Switzerland, raised in North Carolina and since 1977 has made her home in Atlanta. She speaks five languages fluently and sings in at least a dozen more. She has performed and taught everywhere from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival and Clearwater Hudson River Revival; from the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville to Passim Coffeehouse in Boston; from the Jinotepe Harvest Festival in Nicaragua to the Popular Music Festival in Siena, Italy and in schools around the United States and abroad. In 1995 she represented the state of Georgia at the Kennedy Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration, and for the year 2000 was chosen as one of 120 residency artists nationwide for "America Creates for the Millenium." Elise recently released OPEN THE WINDOW her eighth recording on the EMWorld label, and her music has been heard on radio and television worldwide.

"She would receive straight A's from me!!"
French Student, Cony HS; Augusta ME

"I was totally impressed and awed with her fantastic voice and ability to inspire the students."
German Teacher, Upson-Lee HS; Thomaston GA

CANTAMOS CON RITMO
A bi-lingual celebration of Latin Rhythms & the Spanish Language with Beverly Botsford & Elise Witt
Grade Levels: Elementary, Middle, & High School
Maximum number of students: 250
Available as Performance OR 1-2 week Residency

Join international vocalist Elise Witt & cross-cultural percussionist Beverly Botsford on a Bi-Lingual artsporation/celebration exploring the Spanish Language and the Contagious Rhythms of Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean. In an inspired collaboration that honors traditions in a contemporary spirit, Elise & Beverly are the guides on a journey using the two oldest forms of musical expression. Students join in polyrhythms and vocal harmonies on everything from Cuban son and Chilean nueva cancion to Spanish flamenco and a Nicaraguan food song! We will even create a “polyrhythmic sound painting” using Thank You’s from around the world. Music is a language used by people all over the world, a bridge that brings us together as one human family. When we learn songs from other countries, we learn to appreciate what makes each culture different, special, and unique. .

"This terrific team of two captivated both elementary and middle school students. Phenomenal!"
Corinth Holders School, Zebulon NC

Multi-lingual singer Elise Witt joins percussionist BEVERLY BOTSFORD in a new Bi-Lingual program for schools. Beverly has performed in Africa, Asia, Europe, Cuba, and all over the Americas. For 13 years Beverly travelled with the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble, is on the music faculty of the American Dance Festival, has studied Afro-Cuban culture and percussion in her travels to Cuba, and currently tours internationally with jazz singer Nnenna Freelon.

"We think the key to better understanding and appreciating music and foreign language is to get children involved in fun, high energy, interactive music and language experimentation, and that is exactly what 'Cantamos con Ritmo' did for our students!"
Joyner Elementary School, Raleigh NC

Together, Beverly and Elise have sung and played in schools around the Southeast, working with Kindergartener through High School age students including students studying Spanish, French, Chorus, Band, Theater, Dance,and academic classes. Their collaborations have also included Teacher Workshops and polyrhythmic/multi-tonal Workshops for Adults. “Singing Hands,” their residency at Creekside High School in Atlanta, was recently featured in Pass It On, the national journal of the Children's Music Network. In addition to being animated and entertaining performers, Beverly and Elise are known and loved as educators, and pass on their passion for singing & percussion to students of all ages. .

JAN. 17 DOUGLASVILLE GA
"A Musical Trip Around the World" - Multi-lingual participatory concert
& Teacher Workshop
Douglasville Elementary Schools
Arts Council of Douglasville & Douglas County
www.artsdouglas.org

FEB. 8 AUGUSTA GA
10:00 & 11:00 a.m.
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Pariticpatory concert for elementary students
Morris Museum of Art
One 10th Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901
(706) 828-3865
www.themorris.org

MAR. 6 FORT ATKINSON WI
"A Musical Trip Around the World" for elementary schools
Mead Elementary / Grove Elementary School
<smc2@charter.net>

MAR. 7 AMHERST WI
"A Musical Trip Around the World" for elementary schools
"Choral Tune Up" for high schools
Amherst Schools
<peasepod@wi-net.com>

APRIL 4 MARIETTA GA
9:00 & 10:00 a.m.
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Elise Witt w/Mick Kinney
Kincaid Elementary
<dbluefield@gmail.com>

APRIL 7-8 KENNESAW GA
Workshops & Concerts for "Year of the Atlantic Region"
Kennesaw State University
http://www.kennesaw.edu

APRIL 18 DAVIDSON NC
12:30 p.m.
"Music at Midday: Musical Interludes"
"Global, Local & Homemade Songs" with Elise Witt, Singer/Songwriter
Tyler-Tallmann Hall, Sloan Music Center
Davidson College
rucooper@davidson.edu
http://www3.davidson.edu/cms/x3712.xml

APRIL 22 IRWINTON GA
"A Musical Trip Around the World" & "Global, Local & Homemade Songs" Elise Witt & Mick Kinney
Wilkinson County
mpurcell@wilkinsoncounty.net

MAY 6 DAWSON GA
9:00 & 10:00 a.m.
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Participatory multi-lingual concert for K-2
Main Street Theater and Cultural Center
<rhondargordon@yahoo.com>

MAY 7 COCHRAN GA
9:00, 10:00 & 11:00 a.m.
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Participatory multi-lingual concert for elementary students
cayd12@hotmail.com

MAY 12 SAVANNAH GA
9:30 & 10:30 a.m.
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Participatory multi-lingual concert for elementary students
Isle of Hope Elementary
marygeoff@comcast.net

MAY 15 ST. HELENA SC
"A Musical Trip Around the World" participatory concert
St. Helena Early Learning Center
Beaufort County Arts Council
http://www.beaufortcountyarts.org

MAY 16 BEAUFORT SC
"Language is Music"
Whale Branch Middle School - Emily Morton's 6th Grade
Beaufort County Arts Council
www.beaufortcountyarts.org

AUG. 16 WAKE FOREST NC
United Arts Council School Arts Booking Fair
Annual booking fair for Wake and Johnston County schools
http://www.unitedarts.org

OCT. 9-11 ASHEVILLE NC
Children's Music Network national gathering
Workshops, Round Robins, Keynote, Magic Penny Award, Concerts...
Info: Marie Hopper <hopperme@earthlink.net>
http://www.cmnonline.org

SEPT. 4-6 WEST JEFFERSON NC
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Multi-lingual participatory concerts
Ashe County elementary schools
www.ashecountyarts.org

NOV. 2 RALEIGH NC
1:20 & 2:50 p.m.
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Multi-lingual participatory concert
Wiley Elementary Schools
http://www.unitedarts.org

NOV. 5 ZEBULON NC
8:45 & 10:00 a.m.
Corinth Holder School
"Cantamos con Ritmo"
Bi-lingual, participatory Latin percussion & Spanish language concert
w/Elise Witt & Beverly Botsford http://www.beverlybotsford.com

NOV. 6 RALEIGH NC
9:00 & 10:00 a.m.
The Raleigh School
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Multi-lingual participatory concert
http://www.theraleighschool.org

NOV. 6 RALEIGH NC
1:00 & 2:00 p.m
Joyner Elementary School
"Cantamos con Ritmo"
Bi-lingual, participatory Latin percussion & Spanish language concert
w/Elise Witt & Beverly Botsford http://www.beverlybotsford.com

NOV. 14 ATLANTA GA
"A Musical Trip Around Switzerland"
featuring songs in German, French, and Italian
Jackson Elementary, French immersion school
Mt. Paran Road

2005

OCT - NOV. DECATUR GA
International Community School
International songs and songwriting residency
sponsored by the Alternate ROOTS C/APP (Community Artists Partnership Program)
http://www.intcomschool.org
http://www.alternateROOTS.org

OCT. 17 ATLANTA GA
A French "Musical Trip Around the World"
Jackson Elementary, Atlanta GA

OCT. 21-23 DELAVAN WI
Children's Music Network national gathering
Workshops, Round Robin, Magic Penny Award, Jamming & Song Circles, much more
Lake Lawn Resort
http://www.cmnonline.org

NOV. 17 ATLANTA GA
A French "Musical Trip Around the World"
Jackson Elementary, Atlanta GA

NOV. 30 DECATUR GA
6:30 p.m. Concert of "Global, Local & Homemade Songs"
by students of the International Community School with Artist in Residence Elise Witt & Music Teacher Janet Montgomery
from Elise's international songs and songwriting residency
sponsored by the Alternate ROOTS C/APP (Community Artists Partnership Program)
International Community School, 3260 Covington Hwy, Decatur GA 30032
404-499-8969
http://www.intcomschool.org
http://www.alternateROOTS.org

DEC. 2 ATLANTA GA
12:15 & 1:15 p.m.
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
multi-lingual, participatory concert with a German emphasis
Kittredge Magnet School (DeKalb County)

DEC. 6 JONESBORO GA
Spivey Hall Children's Series presents
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
A participatory multi-lingual concert for elementary students with Elise Witt
Students join Elise on songs in Kiswahili, Japanese, Spanish, French, English, and more. Many songs are accompanied with Sign Language.
Contact: Amber Dimkoff 770-961-3484
http://www.spiveyhall.org/education.html

DEC. 17 ATLANTA GA
7:30 p.m.
"Winter Light Storytelling Festival"
Family-friendly interfaith storytelling and musical event featuring music by Elise Witt & the children's chorus from the International Community School, along with Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Bahai, Hindu, Native American and African-American storytellers, among performers of other faiths and ethnic communities.
Performers include veteran Atlanta storytellers Barry Stewart Mann, Chetter Galloway, Tersi Bendiburg, and more
Central Congregational United Church of Christ, 2676 Clairmont Rd. NE, Atlanta
$10 per person donation suggested. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to CARE USA.
Refreshments will be served following the performances.
www.interfaithstory.org

JAN. 13 ATLANTA GA
11:30 a.m."
"Language is Music" workshop for French students
Bear Creek Middle School (Fulton County School Arts Program)

JAN. 18-19 GREENVILLE SC
Music Residency at Christ Church Episcopal School
House Concert with Mick Kinney

FEB 12 SAVANNAH GA
The Telfair Museum of Art
presents "A Musical Trip Around the World" family concert
with Elise Witt
(912) 232-1177
http://www.telfair.org

FEB. 20 AUGUSTA GA
Workshop for Music Teachers
Richmond County Board of Education

FEB. 28 ATLANTA GA
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
Multi-lingual, participatory concert
Manning Oaks Elementary School

MAR. 18 ATLANTA GA
3:00 & 8:00 p.m.
Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde & Moving in the Spirit Dance Co.
present
"My Journey Yours" a concert of music from around the world and music by Elise Witt (including a world premiere of "My Journey Yours" developed in conjunction with Refugee Family Services and artists Gwylene Gallimard & Jean Marie Mauclet; "Open the Window," "Au Revoir Les Bateaux," "Night Blooming Jasmine," and "Una Nuova Armonia / A New Harmony.")
Conant Performing Arts Center, Oglethorpe University
http://www.aysc.org
http://www.mitsdance.org

MAR. 21 AUGUSTA GA
All County Choral Clinic
All day workshop and evening concert
Richmond County Board of Education

MAR. 23 ALPHARETTA GA
A Choral Tune Up
Alpharetta High School (Fulton County School Arts Program)

APRIL 3 RALEIGH NC
"Cantamos con Ritmo"
with Beverly Botsford & Elise Witt
Timber Drive Elementary

APRIL 4 RALEIGH NC
10:00 a.m. "A Musical Trip Around the World"
Fox Road Elementary

APRIL 4 RALEIGH NC
afternoon "Cantamos con Ritmo"
with Beverly Botsford & Elise Witt
Vance Elementary

APRIL 5 BENSON NC
8:30 and 9:30 a.m. "A Musical Trip Around the World"
Benson Elementary

APRIL 7 MOREHEAD CITY NC
"A Musical Trip Around the World"
St. Egbert's Catholic School

MAY 12 ATLANTA GA
Moving in the Spirit Dance Company with Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde
presents
"From Africa to the A-Train" (including some music by Elise Witt)
Rialto Center for the Performing Arts
http://www.mitsdance.org
http://www.aysc.org

JULY 9-15, 2006 SWANNANOA NC
Sing & Swing week
at the Swannanoa Gathering
A week of classes and workshops in singing, dancing, playing, jamming, and community music making in the beautiful North Carolina mountains. Staff concert, evening dances, community sings, song circles, and much much more.
Warren Wilson College
(828) 298-3434
http://www.swangathering.org

*****************************************************************************************

Residency
W. A. Patillo A+ School, Tarboro NC
6th Grade

"The students were engaged and enthusiastic, and I was renewed and reminded of the simple joy of singing with kids. Since you were here, I've heard you described as kind, gentle, and elegant, as well as just FUN! We've been listening to your CDs, and the children get so excited when they hear your voice, especially the EC class. Thank you for working tirelessly and graciously. We all enjoyed getting to know you."
Dennis Hamrick, Music Teacher

"The first day I came in I was mad, but when I came out of music class I was so happy - thank you!"
Johnathan

"How you sing is so amazing."
Taquyla

"You were such a wonderful choreographer. Every time I saw you, you had a big bright smile upon your face. Thank you for teaching us the different languages. Some of them were a tongue twister, but I got the hang of it!"
Deneshia

"I really like the way you dress. It's really creative."
Kyasia

"I wish that you can come back tomorrow so that we can have another adventure with you."
Alexis

"I had so much fun with you here. I didn't know that I could speak 9 different languages, but when you came, you helped me and inspired me to achieve my goals and reach the highest achievements. When you came you helped me inspire myself and believe in myself."
Teri

"I really learned how music feels and how you can make music by movement of your body, so I really had a fun time with you."
Marcus

"Your coming here is the best thing that ever happened to Patillo!"
Caleb

Contact Elise Witt c/o:
EMWorld Records
PO Box 148, Pine Lake GA 30072
e-mail emworld@mindspring.com