NATIONALLY TOURING SINGER/SONGWRITER & EDU-TAINER 

Aspen Black

Contact Aspen Black today to check available dates or get more information:

"From Idea to Radio" takes students on a creative journey into the world of songwriting and musical recording. Through interactive reading, students uncover the creative writing process, beginning with a snippet of inspiration.  From there, students follow the path of a songwriter's mind, generating ideas, honing in on a main idea, transferring thoughts and ideas into words, honing these words into rhyme an meter verses, choruses, and a bridge, and considering commerciality, disclosure of personal feelings, poetic license, and intended audience for the song.  Students explore the two major approaches to songwriting: chord/melody-driven or lyrics-driven, then listen to how a "raw" song is first "born" with guitar and vocal only.  As if that's not enough, students then learn how the song is "seasoned" and edited, before finally being recorded.  Students take an interactive part in the recording process, playing representative paper instruments as the different real instruments are added to the mix, with a few lucky volunteers playing REAL instruments to the final "radio ready" song!  This is a great program that ties in with both English/Reading and Music standards, and any special event featuring creativity or the arts!  (Target: separate programs for K-5 and 6-8, 1 hour, assembly or classroom)

This interactive program takes elementary-aged children on a  journey through western history from pioneer times to present.  Student clap, sing, role-play, and dance in this fun, action-packed program!  This program ties in with many school districts' Social Studies/History and Music curriculum.

(Target: K-5, 1 hour, schoolwide assembly or classroom program) 

Programs for Elementary and Middle Schools

"Mother of millions, daughter of one.  Walked from the willows to the rising sun.  Great humpback high, head swinging low, on the range of the buffalo." 

Range of the Buffalo - (c) 2011 Kerry Grombacher

"Aspen is like the Energizer Bunny - just plug her in and let her go!"  A. Hall, 3rd Grade Teacher, Sontag Elementary

The Singing Cowgirl

"You are amazing!"  Kayla, PTO Rep., Ozona Public Schools, Ozona, TX

From Idea to Radio

Programs are very reasonably priced and available in the contiguous 48 states, with scheduling subject to tour routing. We provide our own PA, AV equipment, and props as part of each package, although it is sometimes better to combine our equipment with a school's existing equipment for the best possible student experience. Discounts are offered for multiple programs in the same school system.

"You did a marvelous job of exciting and teaching the students at Manor Heights and Summit [Elementary Schools] yesterday! Bravo! On behalf of ArtCore, I want to express appreciation for your gracing our 2018-19 season with your excellence!"  Carolyn Deuel, ARTCORE WY

​Aspen Black is no stranger to the classroom. Before embarking on her career as a teaching artist, she worked in the Franklin County, VA public school system as an RtI (remediation) instructor for 3rd-5th grade and SIS (Student Intervention Specialist), gaining excellent references from principals, teachers, parents, and students.

Kerry Grombacher is a graduate of the University of Texas - Austin with concentrations in American Cultural Studies and Ethnomusicology.  He worked several years for the Texas government and substituted in Texas Public Schools before becoming a full time touring musician in the late 1990's.  

Songs and Stories of the American West 

(Aspen Black and Kerry Grombacher)

This musical program takes students on a cultural journey through history.  Focused on westward expansion, students listen to characters speak through original songs about forced migration, coerced migration, voluntary relocation, and the blending of cultures on the western frontier.  (Target: 4th- 8th grades, 1 hour, schoolwide assembly or classroom program)

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"Your school assembly was great! Definitely Let me know when you're back in the area." Jacky Wright - Hot Springs Greater Learning Foundation, Thermopolis, WY

"Thanks so much for coming.  These kids rarely ever get stuff like this. They really opened up and learned a lot and, most importantly, they saw that they could accomplish something!"  A. Teer, Teacher, Roanoke Valley Juvenile Detention Center

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