Bonnie offers individual and group percussion lessons. She has over ten years of experience teaching students ages 5-67. She is also available as a performance coach, with a special concentration in new chamber music. She has given masterclasses and workshops for performers at Interlochen Arts Academy, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and Sonoma State University. She spent a year on the faculty of the Seattle Conservatory of Music, and has given teaching artist workshops for the Seattle Symphony.

Bonnie spent three years with Tales & Scales, a group that integrates new chamber music, story, and creative movement for primarily children and family audiences. Through over 400 performances in 25 states, numerous hands-on workshops, and 18-months as co-artistic director, Bonnie learned a lot about working with children.  

Below are some current workshop offerings that draw on these skills. She offers the following workshops, which can be adapted for your specific needs, for performers, students and educators:

Workshops for Performers*

*These particular workshops are best paired with a performance. To see Bonnie's performance offerings, click here. 

Bonnie with Tales & Scales, photo by Nino g. Cocchiarella

Techniques for Compelling Performance

This workshop is designed to help college students and professional performers successfully navigate the transition from practice room to stage.  We'll discuss and work through issues in stage presence, memorization, performance anxiety management, and interdisciplinary arts integration as they relate to performance.  This participatory masterclass can include performances by participants. (1.5-2 hours, depending on number of participants.)

Whole Performer

This workshop can be adapted for a range of ability levels, advanced high-school through professional.  We'll go through various exercises taken from the diverse worlds of music and theater pedagogy with the ultimate goal of bringing unique performers out from behind their instruments.  Length: 1.5 hours.

Workshops for Students

Just for Band and Orchestra

In this workshop, kids bring to the table what they already know about their instrument, even if that’s just three notes or how to put together a saxophone. We’ll safely explore sound effects and more! Can you use the head-joint of the flute alone? What happens when you rapidly press the keys of your clarinet? Can you sing and play a note on the violin at the same time? We’ll play musical games that emphasize improvisational music-making, performance, and ensemble playing. This class is designed to open new possibilities in creative instrumental performance, especially for those students who are frustrated by reading music, playing scales or understanding theory. (Length: 1 hour. Suggested age-ranges: appropriately divided 4th-8th grades)

Music, Poetry, and Performance

This class explores links between music and poetry. We’ll play with rhythms inherent in text and create melodies that come out of language. Students will respond to poetry by using their musical instruments and bodies while playing fun games that link these art forms. The workshop culminates in a collaborative mini-performance that combines music, poetry, and movement. Workshops can be customized to include poetry that ties in with specific curriculum needs. (Length: 1 hour. Ages: 3rd-8th grades, appropriately divided)

Musical Games

This class is like structured recess with musical instruments.  We’ll play games that foster creativity and get kids excited about music and musical instruments. (Lengths: 30 minutes to one hour.  Ages: ALL, preK-8^th, provided that they are appropriately divided) 

 Workshops for Educators

Integrating Music, Movement, and Story

This workshop emphasizes the creative connections inherent in music, movement, and narrative. We’ll discover how to use those interdisciplinary overlaps in a fun educational setting. The ultimate goal is the full integration of music and story, with a seamless themed experience for the students. I’ll specifically focus on techniques for creating a uniquely participatory musical story in a short amount of time. We’ll also learn music/performance games that are useful in this setting. (Length: 1.5 hours)

Always Performing 

In this workshop, we’ll learn to be inspiring performers while we educate.  Teaching artists will discover how to use what they already know as performers in an educational setting and to take ownership of those skills in the classroom. We’ll address many questions: How can we play on the kids’ level without “dumbing it down?” Can we find a way to “start with art?” What do you bring to the table as an artist and educator? How can we use our bodies, voices, and instruments to captivate and inspire a group?

I’ll lead the group through exercises that will increase comfort and flexibility while playing or singing and moving at the same time. We’ll also brainstorm new ways to introduce instruments to children. Each participant will then create his or her own “personal intro”: a two-minute musical/theatrical presentation that will engage their students and teach them something about music.  (Length:1.5 hours, depending on number of participants)

Positive Engagement 

This workshop explores the use of positive engagement as classroom management. We’ll explore techniques for both large and small classes, and classes with and without adult/parental supervision. I’ll teach a variety of musical games and transition activities with the ultimate goal of fostering an exciting and manageable classroom situation. (Length: 45 minutes)