Community Arts Partner

Participant Details

Community Arts Partner Name
Totem Star
Partner Type
1
Profile Photo
Individual Bio or
Organizational Statement
Totem Star empowers youth with life skills through music production and performance to increase leadership, civic engagement, and community building. Using the model of a record label, youth compose and record music, plan and produce public events, and contribute to their communities as working artists. Our three core programs include The Studio (after school recording studio sessions), The Stage (quarterly open mics and youth arts showcases), and The Story (monthly panel discussions with guest artists). Totem Star collaborates with high school teachers to create a customized music curriculum to fit the individual needs of students while addressing core arts standards. Some students may be interested in learning music theory and producing beats, while others may be interested in songwriting and recording vocals. Through flexibility in arts and music learning and a commitment to 21st century learning skills, Totem Star strives to engage youth in meaningful projects with a transformative impact on their lives.

Contact Information

First Name
Daniel
Last Name
Pak
Address
4408 Delridge Way SW
Address 2
City
Seattle
State
WA
Zip
98106
Phone
206-650-9003

Grade Levels Preferred

Grade Levels Preferred
9th - 12th

Artistic Disciplines

Discipline
1, 3
Type
Music production (Beatmaking, instrumental recording, vocal recording) Singing/Songwriting (Composition, arrangement, performance) Live performance (Planning, promotion, production) Music business (Publishing, distribution, marketing) Music theory (Pitch, harmony, rhythm, melody, texture, form, style) Band (Hip Hop/Pop/R&B/Rock/Soul/Experimental) Musical instruments (Drums, bass, guitar, keyboards/synthesizers, percussion)  

Experience

Previous School Partnerships
Other Trainings or Certifications
Sample Lesson Description: Student / Classroom Residencies
Sample Workshop Description: Teacher Professional Development

Areas of Experience and Expertise

Approved Professional Development Provider
1
Approved Classroom Residency Provider
Yes

Lesson Plan

Integrated Art
Cultural Art

Teaching Approach

Teaching Philosophy + Approach
Youth will have the opportunity to learn how to play musical instruments, produce their own beats, write their own songs, and apply principles of the recording process to address core arts standards. Youth may also gain experience in planning, promoting, and producing quarterly open mic performances, as well as learning about the music industry through business-related activities. Life skills that youth put into practice through experiential learning encourage communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity, as well as information, media, and technology skills.
Curriculum Integration Possibilities
Reading Writing Mathematics History
Special Skills and Areas of Expertise
Since 2010, Totem Star teaching artists have served over 800 youth ages 12-21 throughout Seattle. Current demographics of youth served are 59.1% African American, 17.6% Asian/Pacific Islander, 10.7% Caucasian, 13.0% Latino, and 3.0% Native American, the majority of whom come from low-income families with little or no access to quality arts learning programs. Totem Star has worked with ELL and Special Education students, as well as leading professional development workshops with Seattle Public Schools teachers. Co-Founders Daniel Pak (Kore Ionz) and Thaddeus Turner (Thaddillac) are professional musicians with extensive experience in the music industry. Pak serves on the advisory board for The Creative Advantage and as Advisor to the Board of Governors for the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Grammys.
Testimonials from Schools
David Bestock | Youngstown Cultural Arts Center | david@youngstownarts.org Traci Thirdgill | Southwest Interagency Academy | ttthirdgill@seattleschools.org Tina LaPadula | Arts Corps | tina.lapadula@artscorps.org

Fees

Fees
$50/hr per teaching artist plus planning and prep

Images

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The Magarssas live at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center
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Let Your Light Shine official music video shoot
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Summer school beat making program
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After school beat making program
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After school open studio recording program

Video

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