HOLIDAY PROGRAMS
SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES
    A MUSICAL JOURNEY THROUGH AMERICAN HISTORY
    I take my audience on a musical journey through our history as expressed by folk music.  Beginning with
    songs and instruments of Native Americans, moving through the Revolutionary War, pioneer times, the
    Civil War, folk revival of the sixties and ending with a contemporary folk song, I demonstrate how music
    is a reflection of society. This program is also suitable and adapted for adult audiences.
    FOLK INSTRUMENTS AROUND THE WORLD
    In this program, I introduce my audience to a variety of instruments from different areas of the world.  
    Included in the program are the balalaika from Russia, the penny whistle from Ireland, the jaw harp from
    Austria, the isoka from South America and many more.  Audience members are invited to participate
    including "making music" in an old fashioned washboard band!
    READING, RHYTHM, AND RHYME
    Combining my musical talents and love of reading, this program encourages children to use their
    imagination and explore the world of books.  Using poetry, tongue twisters, songs and instruments, I
    lead the audience through an exciting program where they are active participants in discovering the joy
    of reading.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CENTERS, CHILD CARE, HEADSTART
    I love sharing my passion for books with young children! This program supports the development of pre-
    literacy skills in preschool age children. I use songs, rhyming, instruments, counting and finger plays to
    help children get ready to read. The children never know what I am going to pull out of my "music bag".  
    It could be another instrument, another bag or even another friend of mine who came along to share in
    the fun.  My twenty years of  teaching music and performing for the little one's becomes apparent as you
    watch them respond with joy and glee!

    This reading readiness program was developed for the organization: "Big Thought" www.bigthought.
    org,  where I was trained and developed this program for "Library Live!" performances in the Dallas
    Libraries.
Music workshop for Educators- "Anyone Can Make Music"
    I have presented workshops anywhere from an hour to a full day with teachers or students sharing my
    philosophy that "Anyone Can Make Music."  Workshop participants find themselves totally involved in
    the music process, while singing, creating, writing, building and playing instruments.  Everyone learns
    how to use everyday items to make music and songs they already know to teach early literacy skills and
    new skills. Their enthusiasm and confidence will spill over into their own classrooms and inspire the
    children.  Recent workshops presented at: The Child Development Council, Ithaca, NY, Cortland Child
    Development Center, NY, SUNY Early Childhood Conference.
    FESTIVALS
    Arts festivals, kids festivals, county fairs, jazz festivals and more!   I am prepared to entertain children and
    families alike with familiar folk songs, environmental songs, silly songs and more.  Sing along as I play
    the banjo, guitar and spoons and many other instruments.  Everyone leaves with a smile on their face
    and a song in their heart.
BIRTHDAY PARTIES
    From one to eighty, every person celebrating their birthday loves to have me as their special
    entertainment.  Singing and laughing along in celebration, make their special day a day to remember!   In
    addition to the traditional birthday song, I will serenade the honoree with the beautiful "New Birthday
    Song" from my CD.  
    "Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, just for you
    Happy Birthday and may all your dreams come true
    When you blow out your candles, one light stays aglow
    It's the love light in your eyes, where 'er you go"
    I perform this Christmas program for audiences of all ages at schools, libraries, annual gatherings and for
    holiday parties.

    "Holly, Jolly Christmas" -  Great program for adults and kids
    For every holiday performance Judy uses the variety of instruments she plays to celebrate the season!  If
    you want your group to sing a long and get in the holiday mood Judy knows most of the classics.  
    "Frosty the Snowman" played with the spoons!  "Deck the Halls" with the comb and paper kazoo?  Oh
    YES!   Did you know that "Silent Night" was originally performed with a guitar?  Judy shares tidbits about
    Christmas that you may have never heard about.  Randolph the red-nosed "raindog" will visit and during
    performances of 45-60 minutes Judy can also invite members of the audience to join her in a washboard
    band for a rousing version of "Jingle Bells"!  

    I also offer a program that focuses on all the celebrations that occur during the winter months.
    "Celebrate the Season" - Judy shares songs, instruments and stories that celebrate, Hanukkah,
    The Winter Solstice, Kwanza, New Years Eve and Christmas.
    CELEBRATE THE EARTH
    Songs about bugs,animals, the Earth, recycling and our environment along with instruments made from
    recycled materials help make my newest program a hit with all audiences.  Children will leave this
    performance respecting our mother earth in a whole new way!
Halloween, Autumn, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year's Eve, St. Patrick's Day,
Valentine's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July...songs for every occasion.
LIBRARY PROGRAMS

    For over twenty five years I have toured  libraries during the summer reading program.  From the Bayous  
    of Louisiana, to the Great Lakes of Wisconsin,  living Deep in the Heart of Texas and even busking my
    way through Europe, music has lead me to experience a world of stories and experiences. As my song
    "Read A Book" states, "books can take you anywhere". Take a journey with me as I share my
    instruments from many places around the world. Participation throughout my entire program is
    highlighted in the grand finale as I invite children from the audience to celebrate our American Folk Music
    heritage by  performing a song with spoons, banjo, and limbertoys in Miss Judy's washboard band.  
         -Click on the volume button to listen to a clip of
       me singing two songs from the program....
        
    Celebrate "National Library Week" or "Children's Book Week" with one of my many
    programs.
    I am also available to do an evening or afternoon concert where adults will enjoy the many instruments I
    play with folk songs old and new.  I am a songwriter and will share many of my original compositions in
    this concert setting.
    MY PROGRAMS

    I offer specialized enrichment programs for schools, childcare centers, Head Start Centers and libraries. I
    have performed at a variety of festivals throughout my career from the Kid's Tent at both the New Orleans
    Jazz Festival and the Great Blue Heron in New York.  Entertaining at birthday parties and holiday
    celebrations for over thirty years has given me the experience I need to make all my performances a hit
    with all ages.  My workshop for educators has been popular with early childhood centers and colleges
    that offer early childhood education classes.   Scroll down to see complete descriptions.
    I also offer artist residencies. Please call or email for more information.
   2012  Summer Reading Program
    Please contact these librarians for a reference:
    Big Flats Public Library - Contact:  Dawn Austin   austind@stls.org
    Horseheads Free Library - Contact:  Chris Corter  corterc@stls.org
         More references can be found on my "contact" page...



                        Watch a video of me performing at a Montessori School in Ithaca, New York.
                                                              Jawharp, spoons, limber toy and more.