School Enrichment Programs 

The Placitas Artists Series is proud to have provided music and theatre enrichment programs for Sandoval County and Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) schools in this area for nearly twenty years. As in past years, Sandoval County offers financial support of this outreach.   

In August the principals of each school receive a letter introducing our program possibilities for the next school year along with details on artist groups and they were asked to check off their preferences with possible dates for school assembly programs. The following performing artist organizations were offered to elementary through high school public schools and BIA schools in southern Sandoval County for the 2007-2008 school year.

The "Roots of Jazz" educational outreach program by the New Mexico Jazz Workshop is an excellent history of the origins jazz rhythms produced on traditional instruments and sometimes accompanied by expressive dance. They create an appropriate introductory program for each age group. They entertained and informed the children of the Santo Domingo Elementary and Middle Schools on December-17, 2007.               (Photo from last season->)

The Loren Kahn Puppet Theatre is an excellent European style mime and puppet theatre. Ms Kahn is noted for her creative genius for innovative stage equipment which stimulates her audience to enter her world of "make believe."  On January 10, 2008 she entertained all at the San Felipe Head Start School  with two consecutive programs of  “Peak-a-Boo.”

Armando Ortega, a bi-lingual storyteller, charmed the children and adults of the Peanut Butter & Jelly Family School on March 13, 2008 . On May 2, 2008 with La Wagogo Banda he performed at the Santo Domingo Elementary and Middle Schools and at the Roosevelt Head Start and Primary School.   (<~Photo)

Baila, Baila Dance Company performs with 15 to 20 traditional Spanish/Mexican costumed dancers.  It's a beautiful and inspiring performance. On May 2, 2008 they danced for the Bernalillo Middle School Band and Choral Students  and for 262 students at the Cochiti Elementary & Middle Schools May 9, 2008.

Opera Unlimited, Inc of Albuquerque presents children’s opera with semi-professional actors/singers.  This season they performed “Mozart” at the Placitas Elementary School on February15, 2008 for 166 students and at the Carroll Elementary school for 382 students on May 15, 2008. Two days prior, on May 13th they performed two ”Aesop’s Fables” at the Roosevelt Head Start and Primary School. Their actors/singers offer a lively and humorous performance delightful to all ages. Fully costumed they perform with adequate staging and talented players. This favorite children’s story has been offered by OU for a number of years but this year was outstanding.

Willie Sucre and Friends performs appropriate introductory classical selections for youth. On April 18, 2008 Willy Sucre with Harp, Flute & Viola performed Trios for the Bernalillo Middle School Band and Choral Students. Willy Sucre brings together many friends for five concerts in our series each year: October, November, January, March and May.  Many of these friends enjoy taking chamber music to the schools. (Photo from last season.)

Thanks to generous community organizations like Sandoval County, The Placitas Holiday Salle art auction, and Jardineros de Placitas we have accomplished our goal of offering quality in traditional music, theatre, dance for the education of the students of our Sandoval County. The rewards of genuine student interaction with all actors and musicians at these programs are proudly felt by the PAS and all who support this Outreach Program.  

The 2008-2009 School Enrichment Program for the upcoming school year will be mailed out in August to the schools.

Senior Citizen Centers

Thanks to a generous grant from Sandoval County, PAS is able to offer free concert tickets each season to the county’s senior citizens.  These tickets are distributed to the Senior Program center managers in Placitas, Bernalillo and Pena Blanca, where they are available to program participants. Many seniors have taken advantage of this program and had a thoroughly enjoyable outing. We hope to continue this during the 2008-2009 season.

Also part of our Outreach program is our participation in the Placitas 4th of July Parade.