Poly Arts for Youth (PAFY) is Cal Poly Arts’ education enrichment program for K-12 students. Our world-class touring artists engage directly with children in their own schools allowing for rich cultural and artistic workshop experiences that extend the performing arts beyond the stage. PAFY is vital because students who have access to arts education have better grade point averages, score better on standardized tests in reading and math and have lower dropout rates. During the 2023-24 Cal Poly Arts Season, PAFY held 8 in-person workshops impacting over 1,200 students! 

Are you a K-12 Educator in the San Luis Obispo or Northern Santa Barbara County?

Do you think your students would benefit from a professional artist coming to your classroom?

Keep scrolling to see all of the incredible artists coming to California’s Central Coast and learn how you can make these experiences a reality for your school!

POLY ARTS FOR YOUTH 2024/25 SEASON

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2024 | TIME: TBD
1 Presentation - Recommended for Grades 5 - 8

AMI VITALE

Ami Vitale is an award-winning photojournalist celebrated for her powerful visual storytelling, capturing poignant moments of wildlife conservation, and environmental issues across the globe with a profound commitment to shaping a brighter future for our planet.

In this talk, Ami Vitale will take students on a journey, sharing powerful stories that drive change and inspire us all to push boundaries and have impact in our daily lives. Ami’s captivating stories are about people learning from wildlife and protecting endangered species like pandas, rhinos, and elephants. These uplifting narratives show us how hope and collective action are shaping a brighter future for our planet.

  • Genre: Photography / Speaker/ Environment

  • Duration: 40 minutes + Q&A

  • Participants: TBD - flexible based on number of people allowed in the in-school venue. Prefer a full assembly of 350+

  • Study Guide is available prior to visit.

  • Other: Good quality projector and cords to connect computer to projector (ideally MAC computer), darkened room, and a microphone.

MARIACHI GARIBALDI DE JAIME CUÉLLAR

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2024 | TIME: 2:00PM
1 Performance - Recommended for Grades K - 5

Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar is a vibrant musical ensemble renowned for their traditional Mexican mariachi music, featuring spirited performances that capture the essence of Mexican culture and heritage.

This in-school performance of the cultural music and dance of Mexico will feature five mariachi members and two folklorico dancers from Ballet Folklorico del Rio Grande.

  • Genre: Music / Dance

  • Duration: 40-45 minutes

  • Participants: TBD - flexible based on number of people allowed in the in-school venue.

  • Study Guide is available prior to visit.

  • Other: 5 microphones minimum; no carpet on performance area so dancers shoes make noise.

MONDAY, JANUARY 27, 2025 | TIME: TBD
1 Workshop - Recommended for Grades 4 - 12

THE PACK DRUMLINE

Semifinalists on America’s Got Talent, The Pack Drumline is an electrifying percussion and dance ensemble known for their precision and captivating rhythms, blending traditional drumline techniques with innovative performance styles.

  • Genre: Music / Dance

  • Duration: 45 minutes + Q&A

  • Participants: TBD - flexible based on number of people allowed in the in-school venue.

  • Study Guide is available prior to visit.

  • Other: TBD

DELFEAYO MARSALIS & THE UPTOWN JAZZ ORCHESTRA

THURSDAY, MARCH 6, 2025 | TIME: TBD
1 Lecture Demonstration - Recommended for Grades K - 12

Acclaimed trombonist, producer and educator Delfeayo Marsalis has been praised for his “technical excellence, inventive mind and frequent touches of humor,” and heralded and hailed as one of “the best, most imaginative and musical of the trombonists of his generation,” leading his own small groups and the dynamic Uptown Jazz Orchestra.

This workshop brings live performances with mostly acoustic instruments to students and introduces them to the wide emotional range of instrumental music.  Through the program, students are taught American history, including music history and music theory. 

  • Genre: Music

  • Duration: 45 - 60 minutes

  • Participants: TBD - flexible based on number of people allowed in the in-school venue.

  • Other: one microphone, keyboard, drum set

ARC CIRCUS

THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2025 | TIME: TBD
3 Workshops - Recommended for Grades 1 - 12

ARC Circus is a multi-faceted performing arts company based in Australia that celebrates and creates extraordinary stories through the power of circus, dance, and theater.

Co-Founders Robbie Curtis and Lizzie McRae will lead this highly participatory workshop, beginning with a warm-up, stretching and connecting with the body. Then each workshop can be tailored:

  • Beginners: ARC trainers can do an introduction to juggling, balancing, handstands, dance and simple acrobatics.

  • Advanced: workshops can delve deeper into acrobatics, dance, improvisation, and artist practice.

Both sessions end with a cool down and brief Q&A session.

  • Genre: Circus / Dance

  • Duration: 60 minutes

  • Participants: Up to 30 participants per workshop

  • Study Guide is available prior to visit based on their show “A Bee Story”

  • Other: 1 large space school hall or large classroom, access to a speaker system (if possible).

DAVID GONZALEZ

THURSDAY, APRIL 10, 2025 | TIME: TBD
2 Performances - Can be adapted for Grades K - 2 or 3 - 6

David Gonzalez is a renowned storyteller whose captivating narratives and dynamic stage presence illuminate universal themes of culture, identity, and the human experience with depth and boundless creativity.

Cuentos paints a vivid picture of the people and rich cultures of the Spanish-speaking world with colorful tales from the Caribbean, South America, and the Bronx! From the silly antics of the Puerto Rican anti-hero "Juan Bobo" to the mysterious dealings and powers of the Orishas in a suite of Afro-Cuban stories, these tales are filled with memorable characters, fantastic plots and positive messages for children. Spanish language words are sprinkled throughout the stories and songs in such a way that young audiences can repeat and retain their sound and meaning.

Solid entertainment and a great introduction to the marvelous world of Latino literature and culture.

  • Genre: Storytelling / Music / Latinx Culture & Myths

  • Duration: 50 - 60 minutes

  • Participants: TBD - flexible based on number of people allowed in the in-school venue.

  • Study Guide is available prior to visit.

  • Other: One wireless microphone IF the room is very large.

JAZZREACH

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2025 | TIME: MORNING
3 Presentations - Recommended for Grades 4 - 6

JazzReach is a dynamic organization dedicated to arts education and fostering an appreciation for jazz music among young audiences, enriching communities with the art form's cultural significance and historical legacy.

The “Up Close” series features classroom performances by JazzReach’s resident ensemble, Metta Quintet, and highly interactive instruction that further elucidates:

  • The fundamental ingredients of music and the function and role of each instrumentalist in the jazz ensemble

  • What jazz is, where it comes from, what makes it uniquely American and how it has become a global music

  • Music as a language: how musicians translate years of acquired skill, technique and vocabulary into soulful, heartfelt artistic expression

  • Improvisation and creativity in music, the arts and everyday life

  • Genre: Music

  • Duration: 45 minutes per workshop

  • Participants: TBD - flexible based on number of people allowed in the in-school venue. Recommended for 1 school, grades 4, 5 and 6.

  • JazzReach has a jazz history docuseries called 'Get Hip!' which is utilized as complementary programming prior to the artist visit.

  • Other: Upright bass, bass amp, piano or keyboard (and keyboard amp), a small PA and mic setup IF the room is very large.

JAZZREACH - ADVANCED CLINIC

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2025 | TIME: AFTERNOON
1 Workshop - Recommended for Grades 7 - 12 in a Band Program

JazzReach is a dynamic organization dedicated to arts education and fostering an appreciation for jazz music among young audiences, enriching communities with the art form's cultural significance and historical legacy.

Clinics feature Metta Quintet at their instruments, playing and illustrating some of their ideas and personal insights about the many facets of jazz performance. Clinics do not necessarily require that a student ensemble perform although they are welcome and often encouraged to join in.

  • Genre: Music

  • Duration: 60 minutes (or the duration of 1 class period)

  • Participants: 1 Band Class

  • Other: Upright bass, bass amp, piano or keyboard (and keyboard amp), drum kit, a small PA and mic setup IF the room is very large.
    The student group and the resident ensemble will not need to perform at the same time, meaning that the resident ensemble can utilize band-room instruments. Contact Cal Poly Arts for details.

If you think one of these programs would be a good fit for your students and school, please fill out the Educator Interest form and a member of the Cal Poly Arts team will be in contact with you regarding availability.

Please be aware, workshop availability is based on a variety of factors including artist availability and venue requirements. Please be sure to read the full description prior to filling out the interest form. Thank you!

Thanks to our generous donors, these programs are available at no cost to the schools.

Program Sponsors

For more information on how to support these artist engagement opportunities for students, contact Maria Taylor at mtaylo83@calpoly.edu