Program Description

Take a ride on the “A” train to Sugar Hill and discover the many colors, sights and sounds of the Harlem Renaissance. Explore the social culture, music, dance, visual art, literary works and the people who  created them during this time of rich cultural rebirth in Harlem, New York City. Come travel to a place where African-American artistic expression flourished, leaving its indelible impact on Americanculture and the world. Sing, scat and dance the Lindy Hop and experience one of America’s most phenomenal and celebrated artistic treasures.

Videoconference Outline

• Introductions and Welcome -- Carol will introduce herself and welcome participating schools.
•  A brief introduction about the lesson given by Carol Frazier
• The lesson will then be given by Carol Frazier
  • Power Point historical overview of the period (10 minutes)
  • Musicians of the Period and listening examples
  • Vocal portion with scat singing (10 minutes)
  • Poetry reading (2 minutes)
  •  Visual Art slides (3 minutes)
  • Dance DVD tracing historical dance from 1900 to the Lindy Hop (10 minutes)
  • Dancing the Lindy Hop (5 minutes)
• Q & A (2 minutes)
• Concluding comments from Carol

PreVideoconference Activities

An activity sheet with listening examples, and links to websites will be sent to
participating teachers prior to the lesson date and time.

Program Resources

A resource guide to the lesson with website, and post-class activities will be sent via email to the participating schools prior to the lesson date and time.

Special Instructions/Requirements for Participating Teachers

The class will need to have sufficient room to do basic dance movements. Desks and chairs may need to be rearranged to allow for space. Note: The dance segment is the last activity of the lesson. Students will need to be seated prior to that time.

About the Presenter

Carol M. Frazier, Education Programs Administrator Carol is a graduate of the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music, (Bachelor of Piano Performance, Master of Music Teaching) and Southern Methodist University (Master of Sacred Music with an emphasis in Choral Conducting. A former twenty-four year veteran teacher of the School District of Philadelphia, Carol taught piano and vocal music at the Philadelphia High School for Girls and was the 1996 recipient of the Rose Lindenbaum Award for excellence in teaching. A writer and developer of arts education curriculum, Carol has developed and implemented courses from pre-school through high school and serves as director for the Kimmel Center Teen Summer Arts Camp. In addition to her work at the Kimmel Center, Carol is the Minister of Music at the New Covenant Church of Philadelphia, and performs as an artist here and in Europe on jazz festivals with her gospel group Agape/New Spirit which earned the 2005 "Grand Prix du Jazz/Gospel Disque" from the Hot Club of France.

This program is presented in partnership with the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts Education Department. The Kimmel Center Education Department provides an array of education programs which promote and stimulate student artistic expression and thought by providing multidisciplinary arts education experiences which reinforce and support learning, discovery and creativity. The Kimmel Center Education Department is committed to providing access to art for all school communities.