Artist Residency Program - Musical Instrument Museum

The Artist Residency Program at MIM brings professional musicians to provide unique educational opportunities for elementary, middle-, and high-school groups. The two-hour experience includes an interactive theater performance and semi-guided museum tour starting at 9:30 or 11:00 a.m.

Option 1: 9:40–10:30 a.m. Assembly; 10:30–11:30 a.m. Tour
Option 2: 11:00 a.m.–noon Tour; 12:10–1:00 p.m. Assembly

Call MIM’s School and Group Tour Coordinator at 480.245.6919 or e-mail grouptours@MIM.org to check availability and for reservations.

Space is limited; reservations are required. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

FALL 2017

DESERT RIDGE MUSIC ACADEMY
Thursday and Friday, November 16 and 17, 2017
Music is part of every culture on earth and is a powerful tool to convey emotion. Join local musicians for an exploration of the amazing variety of music available in our daily lives. Students will explore how everyday sounds—from the human voice to trash cans to keyboard synthesizers—help people express themselves through music. Students will also gain a greater understanding of how simple instruments evolve from sociocultural needs.

SIMPLY THREE
Thursday and Friday, December 7 and 8, 2017
Simply Three is a critically acclaimed string trio that bridges the gap between classical music traditions and today’s popular culture. Their program, including popular music (from artists such as Adele and Coldplay), fiddle music, original compositions, and classical favorites, will captivate audiences of all ages. Students are invited to sing and clap along while gaining a new perspective on and appreciation for classical instruments.

YELLOWHOUSE DANCERS
Thursday and Friday, December 14 and 15, 2017
The Yellowhouse Dancers are a talented group of performers hailing from the Navajo Nation. Led by founder and performer Lane Jensen, the ensemble features Tyrese and Kailayne Jensen, winners of the 2017 World Championship Hoop Dance competition. The group will share American Indian culture through song and dance, accompanied by traditional instruments such as drums, flutes, rattles, and gourds.

SPRING 2018

THE NASH – BIG IDEAS IN JAZZ
Thursday and Friday, January 25 and 26, 2018
The Nash celebrates the rich tradition and ongoing innovation of jazz by presenting engaging live performances, providing unique educational programs, and building a vibrant jazz community in the greater Phoenix area and beyond. Join a quartet of jazz musicians as they perform music that highlights big ideas from the first one hundred years of jazz history, including a discussion of styles, time periods, American culture, and approaches to improvisation. Students will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of jazz.

AZ OPERA – OPERA 101
Thursday and Friday, February 22 and 23, 2018
MIM and the Arizona Opera come together to introduce students to the world of opera by listening to and appreciating this timeless genre. AZ Opera singers will showcase the most universal musical instrument: the human voice. Vocalists will take students on a musical journey using new and familiar selections specifically chosen to connect with each age group. Students are sure to be swept away by AZ Opera’s musical storytelling. This performance is best for grades 4–8.

RUN BOY RUN
Thursday and Friday, March 1 and 2, 2018
Run Boy Run explores musical storytelling with its use of roots-inspired original and traditional music. Students will discover American history through haunting a cappella songs, driving-train bluegrass, and lively fiddle tunes. Students are encouraged to sing, laugh, and clap along with Run Boy Run as the group imparts the joy of Americana music. Throughout the program, band members will introduce their instruments, share their performing experiences, and explain the allure of traditional music to young artists.

AZ WOLF TRAP
Thursday and Friday, April 12 and 13, 2018
MIM and Arizona Wolf Trap, a nationally recognized early-childhood arts education program, come together to offer a curriculum specifically for students in prekindergarten–grade 2. Through a 15-minute dance workshop, a 15-minute music-making session, and a 15-minute live performance, students will gain a greater understanding of how music and dance combine to tell a story. This program will focus on Mexican culture.