Music In Common Artist In Residency Programs   

Artist and Education Program 

with Theresa Wasden

1604 Thornbird Rd SE, Airdrie, T4A 2C5

Contact person Sheila Ross sa.ross@shaw.ca

Here are a few of Theresa's references:

Leela S. Aheer and Duane Sovyn, Third Academy for Children with Learning Disabilities:  "Theresa's expertise, compassion, and very professional demeanour are only but a few of the qualities that she exudes.  She accomplished her goals with smiles and praise free flowing to the students. Theresa constantly reminded the students of the important things they were accomplishing so that the impetus to succeed became their own.  All of the children, have been asking if Mrs. Wasden is going to be a permanent member of our music/drama class.  She has had a huge impact on our school and on us.  We feel very prepared to move on to our next project, and we are very thankful to Theresa for sharing her time with us."  

Donna Slade, Fox Creek School:  "This program was extremely successful.  Not only did the students get a chance to experience and appreciate different varieties of music, but the community did as well.  The excitement and energy Theresa displayed toward the program was definitely contagious.  Students who would not normally participate in extra-curricular activities became the stars of the show.  even those staff members, who may not have wanted the interruption in class time, were won over.  One of Theresa's biggest strengths is organization and program planning.  She chose age appropriate material to teach to each group of students and made sure the movements were at the level the various ages could handle.  It is my opinion that Theresa has the personal and professional qualities necessary to provide you with this service.   She is confident, effective an enthusiastic about her work... 

Shelly Robinson, Divisional Facilitator Curriculum & instruction, Rockyview School Division.  "I would like to take the opportunity to thank you on behalf of the RSVD ArtX Committee for your assistance with our first Rocky View School Division Fine Arts Event at Bearspaw School..... Your help with this event was greatly appreciated by our school division and I would like to wish you well I your future artistic pursuits.  We hope to work with you again in the future should the opportunity arise..."

Dave Klinger, Musical Director FolksOpera:  "... her dedication and professionalism have continually impressed me.  She is always good natured and easy to work with.  an organized and energetic individual, her excellent example inspires others to do their best work..."

Hermes Michelini, CGA, Choir Committee Chairman Talisman Energy Inc.:  "Ms. Wasden's high caliber technical abilities and appropriate music choices have strengthened the choirs' voices and fostered the individual singers' confidence.  She consistently displays warmth and charm and sets the singers at ease with her gentle, yet firm command..."

Pam Pickersgill, producer of the Marquee players:  "...I found Theresa to be very dedicated to her task with a vast knowledge of music and singing which she was able to pass on to the performers so that they really shone on stage musically..."

More references available upon request.  

Recent schools projects:

Prairie Waters Elementary School, Chestermere.

Crossfield Elementary School    

Foundations For The Future Charter School:  Gr 12 leadership workshop series

 Prince of Wales, Calgary:  Hansel and Gretel project and concerts 

 R.J. Hawkey:  Virtues Program

 Fox Creek School:  Rock Til You Drop

 Griffin Park, Brooks:  To Broadway and Back

The Bert Church Theatre, Airdrie: Building A Show, Mystery Theatre. 

 Okotoks High School 

 To book please contact Sheila Ross:  sa.ross@shaw.ca

We will be touring “RESPECT Railway" program which is a School Unity and Friendship program focusing on your school virtues.  It promotes Caring, Sharing and Kindness through music and play.   We work with the Virtues Program that is in existence or with your own school Values. We can design a program specifically for your students.  

Option #1:  Theresa Wasden “Friends” Program for K-5

 This may be fitted to work within your program goals.  Theresa can move to classrooms or the children can come to her in a room where you have a piano.  

Discussion includes: how people like to be treated (with respect).  Imagining what it would be like if you could never stand up to talk to someone.  How would that change how people talk to you?  Would they treat you differently?  How would that make you feel?  What can we do to include everyone?   

Virtues such as “respect, empathy, conscience, tolerance, fairness, kindness and self control” are great values (or virtues) to have in a friend.  Theresa concludes with the song “Friends” and has the children join in. 

 Other virtues to be discussed are: courage, being joyful and being service-minded. 

Option #2:  Music In Common Interactive Concert with Theresa Wasden and Friends.

Upbeat music and discussion in more of a performance setting with Theresa Wasden and the Days Ride North house band.

This program is truly entertainment at its best with the theme of “Friendship.”  Theresa brings her back-up and they put on a show that will have you moving and thinking about “Friendship.” What kind of person makes a good friend?  The attributes of a good friend:  RESPECT, fun to be around, positive influence, caring, sharing, good listener, kind to you and your family, stands up for what is right and best, helps you to be the best “YOU.” Participation and songs like R-E-S-P-E-C-T, “Friends” and “Together Wherever We Go” and discussion leave a positive note on the end of a great Virtue Project. 

 To book on of The RESPECT Railway Programs, please contact  

Sheila Ross at (403) 399.7226

The tip sheets for Artist in Residency Grants:  www.cd.gov.ab.ca/artsbranch/artists_and_education

Music In Common and Artist in Residency sites:  www.theresawasden .com

Red Box Opera Productions:  www.redboxproductions.ca

Theresa Wasden:  

I believe that the performing arts benefit everyone, whether they participate through acting, singing and dancing on stage or work behind the scenes as props managers or as stage managers.  Participants learn skills and develop their own creative potential.  They increase self-confidence, understanding of team effort and social skills, and develop an awareness of individual talents and personal creativity. Their world becomes larger and their minds become enriched. 

As a teacher, my goal is to motivate students to find where they can fit into the world of performing arts and then encourage them to find where the world of performing arts can fit into their life.  Whether we are on stage or appreciating the efforts of others, there is a place for culture in everyone's life.

I look forward to working with your students.  Yours in music,

  Theresa Wasden

Musical director

   
The Music In Common Residency Programs

with Theresa Wasden

 Exuberance is the best way to describe Theresa's  manner of teaching.  She brings all the versatility and experience she has to the classroom where she fills the room with vitality.  The students absorb her excitement and find their own creative potential.  With twenty seven years of experience as a teacher and over twenty-five years as a performer, Theresa adapts any program to meet the needs of the individual.

 Residency programs available:

Building A Show: 

Through the dynamic world of music theatre, students are introduced to the performing arts.  They learn the basic language of stage direction, how to use their voice without damaging a developing instrument, and how to put it all together and produce a show.  Theresa works with the school specialist and/or music director ahead of time to choose suitable material for the grades involved.  This program also includes one hour of teacher in-service training.

Length of Residency:  5 or 10-day program

Max.  # of students involved:  30 per class and 200+ for performance.

Grade levels:  1-12

Presentation and Production Support: 

When you already have a production in the making or you need some direction at the beginning, Theresa will come to provide stage direction for a production, work with principal characters or make final touches on a music theatre presentation.  The time allotted is five hours per day.

Length of Residency:  5 or 10-day program available.

Max.  # of students involved:  30 per class or full cast for production number.

Grade levels:  1-12

Music In Common Choral Residency: 

Music In Common's residency for choral music provides students the opportunity to experience folk, classical, jazz, South African, and classical repertoire culminating in a final performance. They will learn as many genres of music as time will allow.  If your school is working on specific material, music must be provided two weeks in advance to Theresa Wasden.  The time allotted is 5 hours per day. 

Length of Residency:  5 to 10 day programs available.

Max.  # of students involved:  70 per class.

Grade levels:  1-12  

Details and class schedule suggestion are available in the Artist in Residency program or by request.