Emcee
Camp Staff Site
(July 2019) As a guest teaching artist of the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) Dance Program, I had the honor and privilege of teaching over 30 engaged, alert, and courteous students an AfroHouse Dance Fusion Master Class in the Sharon Disney Lund Dance Theater on the campus of California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). CSSSA is a rigorous 4-week training program for talented and motivated high school students in California and beyond. Dance Program students are immersed in about 11 hours of dance per day. Students invited to the program are named California Arts Scholars. Notable CSSSA alumni include Hill Harper and Zac Efron.
(July 2019) As a guest teaching artist of the California State Summer School for the Arts (CSSSA) Dance Program, I had the honor and privilege of teaching over 30 engaged, alert, and courteous students an AfroHouse Dance Fusion Master Class in the Sharon Disney Lund Dance Theater on the campus of California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). CSSSA is a rigorous 4-week training program for talented and motivated high school students in California and beyond. Dance Program students are immersed in about 11 hours of dance per day. Students invited to the program are named California Arts Scholars. Notable CSSSA alumni include Hill Harper and Zac Efron.
Entertainment Ranger Roles
you are effectively the entertainment coordinator of your session(s) of Adventures in Writing Camp.
You will be managing the music rotation (“music excursion”), as well as the “all-camper assembly” aspects of your camp session. You will be working with a team that likely includes diverse talents, backgrounds, and experience levels. You will likely have some Adventure Guides (counselors) and Rangers (teachers) on your team who love to be on stage helping you, and others still finding their voice and learning to explore life outside their shell.
As the Entertainment Ranger your role is to get the writing lessons to “stick” by using dance, improv, and music. We also look to you to help campers come out of their own shells as they engage with rap writing and performance. Parents often tell us that their child’s favorite part of camp was music.
You will be managing the music rotation (“music excursion”), as well as the “all-camper assembly” aspects of your camp session. You will be working with a team that likely includes diverse talents, backgrounds, and experience levels. You will likely have some Adventure Guides (counselors) and Rangers (teachers) on your team who love to be on stage helping you, and others still finding their voice and learning to explore life outside their shell.
As the Entertainment Ranger your role is to get the writing lessons to “stick” by using dance, improv, and music. We also look to you to help campers come out of their own shells as they engage with rap writing and performance. Parents often tell us that their child’s favorite part of camp was music.
assembly facilitator
Set up and check AV before morning assembly
Prepare supplies for morning assembly (i.e., ABC, Who Am I? cards, pencils)
Learn dances in mirroring fashion and to face kids. In other words, learn the dances as if you’re on the screen (you’ll be stepping right, but saying “left” for the campers)! Good to remind Adventure Guides to mirror when facing campers. If they haven’t learned mirroring, they should be with campers facing screen
Set up and check AV before morning assembly
Prepare supplies for morning assembly (i.e., ABC, Who Am I? cards, pencils)
Learn dances in mirroring fashion and to face kids. In other words, learn the dances as if you’re on the screen (you’ll be stepping right, but saying “left” for the campers)! Good to remind Adventure Guides to mirror when facing campers. If they haven’t learned mirroring, they should be with campers facing screen
As music instructor
Daily set-up and preparation (additional items specific to a day are provided in lesson plans)
Set up and test AV equipment in classroom (you may need to transfer equipment between the assembly room and your classroom.
Set up the classroom with an open area for circle games and dancing
Prepare to teach song of the day and play video of the Song of the Day (listed in Lesson Plan)
Prepare to use rap beats slide (& mp3)
Have pencils ready for writing in workbooks
Lesson plans provided are written for all grades, to be adjusted according to age/grade. Some alternate plans for 1st-3rd grade and4th/5th grades are included
Adventure Guides are expected to assist you as needed with logistics, serving as assistants in lessons, or modeling participation in the rotation for campers. Please communicate clearly and respectfully. If possible, let them know ahead of time during morning meeting what you’re planning to have them do during your day’s lesson
Regarding cross-curricular connections (with other rotations at camp):
3rd and 4th graders: since their Music rotation comes before Writing, your lesson will probably be introducing concepts that they will work with later in the day.
2nd and 5th graders: since their Music rotation comes after Writing, your lesson may be reviewing, reinforcing, and perhaps adding on to concepts they have already worked with earlier in the day.
Postcards: LAST troop OF EACH DAY ONLY - use this process each day
Brainstorm a list of activities and lessons from the day.
Facilitate a productive postcard-writing environment.
If time permits, allow campers to share with each other or the troop and nominate one camper to share during the PM assembly (if called upon).
Daily set-up and preparation (additional items specific to a day are provided in lesson plans)
Set up and test AV equipment in classroom (you may need to transfer equipment between the assembly room and your classroom.
Set up the classroom with an open area for circle games and dancing
Prepare to teach song of the day and play video of the Song of the Day (listed in Lesson Plan)
Prepare to use rap beats slide (& mp3)
Have pencils ready for writing in workbooks
Lesson plans provided are written for all grades, to be adjusted according to age/grade. Some alternate plans for 1st-3rd grade and4th/5th grades are included
Adventure Guides are expected to assist you as needed with logistics, serving as assistants in lessons, or modeling participation in the rotation for campers. Please communicate clearly and respectfully. If possible, let them know ahead of time during morning meeting what you’re planning to have them do during your day’s lesson
Regarding cross-curricular connections (with other rotations at camp):
3rd and 4th graders: since their Music rotation comes before Writing, your lesson will probably be introducing concepts that they will work with later in the day.
2nd and 5th graders: since their Music rotation comes after Writing, your lesson may be reviewing, reinforcing, and perhaps adding on to concepts they have already worked with earlier in the day.
Postcards: LAST troop OF EACH DAY ONLY - use this process each day
Brainstorm a list of activities and lessons from the day.
Facilitate a productive postcard-writing environment.
If time permits, allow campers to share with each other or the troop and nominate one camper to share during the PM assembly (if called upon).
As Rap Video Creator
PLEASE NOTE: Part of your assignment is to create two videos of rap performances on the second THURSDAY of camp (Day 9)! Please plan ahead!
Reference the Rap Video Making Instructions on Day 8 in the Lesson Plans
PLEASE NOTE: Part of your assignment is to create two videos of rap performances on the second THURSDAY of camp (Day 9)! Please plan ahead!
Reference the Rap Video Making Instructions on Day 8 in the Lesson Plans
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Videos
I would be thrilled to teach a master class for your program!
Bio
P. Valerie Dauphin is the Company K!ds Director and Dance Instructing Artist at Gabriella Charter Schools, the recipient of the 2018 California Distinguished Schools Award. Valerie’s path to becoming a dance educator came most unconventionally since her artistic training and performances began as an alto saxophonist, pianist, and actress at the age of 10. She concurrently developed a keen interest in cardio dance classes and eventually acquired a group fitness instructor certification from the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America in 2009. It wasn’t until college that Valerie took the stage as a dancer (and drummer), as a member of African Rhythms Drum and Dance Troupe on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania. Her experience with African Rhythms and collaborations with other campus dance groups inspired Valerie to learn Salsa, Samba, Hip Hop, and House, which then led her to perform with various dance ensembles and crews in Florida and Los Angeles. Valerie is most passionate about the freedom and exhilaration experienced through the fusion of styles like AfroHouse and Salsa Hip Hop. She has taught group dance (and fitness) classes at various studios and gyms in L.A., including the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, Heartbeat House, Your Neighborhood Studio, and Sweat Pilates, as well as having served as Adjunct Faculty in Sports and Wellness at Mount Saint Mary’s University. Additional teaching artist residencies and guest facilitation include artworxLA, YouTHink, L.A. Arts Group, American Cancer Society Relay for Life, The I Have a Dream Foundation, Inner City Arts, YWCA Annual Health Fair, Los Angeles LGBT Center, the Venice Eco-Festival, and a special dance class for a top 10 tech company. As an Arts for LA ACTIVATE Fellow and California Arts Education Leadership Cohort Emerging Leader, Valerie works towards the attainment of equitable access to the arts for all California youth. Valerie is also the Award-Winning Author of FEEL GOOD KICK ASS CONFIDENCE: USING YOUR BODY TO ROCK YOUR LIFE, a book that guides readers to access their innermost dreams through the power of dance.
