Here are some poems from Duarte and Monrovia Students who were part of our performance at the Duarte Performing Arts Center. This performance was made possible by  the City of Duarte Cal Grip Grant.

The Raggedy Doll

By Isabella

The raggedy doll’s oval black

eyes stare into my skull from afar.

Its little mouth makes an “O” shape.

The hair is pink the outfit blue

The hat is frilly and so is the skirt.

The nose looks misshapen the head too

The arms and legs are barely sewn on

The raggedy doll can’t even stand on its own.

The arms and feet are barely sewn on.

The raggedy doll that usually scares me and my fearless cat too.

 

Flying

By Antonio

On Wednesdays, just at mid-day I am going to fly with some might

right, right by the Statue of Liberty.

I caught sight of her crown

and her flaming torch…..

 

On Thursday I saw myself

on television, wearing an awesome cape,

zooming right by the Statue of Liberty.

Right, Right by the Statue of Liberty.

 

On Friday it was reported

the Statue of Liberty was missing.

I flew with all my might searching for her.

I looked high…. I looked low

still couldn’t find her.

 

On Saturday, it was a bad day,

searching on the computer

for the Statue of Liberty

till my eyes watered.

 

On Sunday the sun was shining bright with all my might

I flew towards the harbor and there she was

The lady wearing her crown, holding her torch…….

 

Batman

By Andrew

On Saturday I saw Batman

Not on television.

He was flying in the sky

I saw his shadow.

No one would believe me

when I told them Batman was flying in the sky.

 

I ran to tell my parents

They laughed and told me

to eat my breakfast…..

I put my Batman cape on

picked up my bowl of Sugar Pops

clicked the remote and Batman appeared

not in the sky, but back on channel 7

 

I have been working as the voice teacher once a week for about five weeks at Blend School for the Blind/Van Ness Elementary in Hollywood.

The students have written a musical that they will perform this week. The students themselves vary in musical strength. Some of the children are shy, particularly as performing is new to them. So, often my focus is on diction, projection, posture and body language.

One little girl, Natalie, likes to play piano chords while we warm up. Two weeks ago, I asked her to focus on good posture to help her singing. So, she did not get to play piano that week but I promised her she could the next week.

Last week, when it was Natalie’s turn for a voice lesson, I remembered I had promised she could play piano before we sang. I knew she had a good ear – when we do vocal warm ups she is able to pick out the notes we are singing on the piano.

Natalie sat down at the piano and proceeded to play every song from their musical. She also sang the lyrics to each song while she played and figured out chords to link one song to the next. I felt as if I were listening to the overture of the musical. I was not expecting her piano skills to be so advanced because I had only heard her play a few chords in the past. She appears to have taught herself all the songs by ear and to have made up her own chordal transitions to each song.  I don’t think she reads music. I was blown away by her performance. I asked her if her teacher, Ms. Bell, had taught her but she said “no.” I said “Wow! You play better than I do.” She said “I know.” Later, I told Ms. Bell about her playing all the songs from the show and asked if she had helped her at all but Ms. Bell said she hadn’t and that she believes Natalie is a savant. I suggested Natalie play her medley of songs as the overture.

This young girl is obviously extremely gifted. I hope she will have the opportunity to have the musical education she deserves.

 

 

 

Saturday, May 30th 6:00 PM:  Poetry To Song Performance at Duarte Performing Arts Center

Saturday, May 30th at the Duarte Performing Arts Center at 6:00 PM (1401 Highland Ave Duarte, CA) We have a our Poetry to Song students performing in a showcase. Admission is Free

 

Free Poetry to Song Workshops at Monrovia Boys and Girls Club

Free Poetry to Song workshops that will be offered at Monrovia Boys and Girls Club beginning on Monday, June 22nd and will meet every Monday through August 10th with dress rehearsals and performances throughout the week of August 10th
Contact Ann Noriel at 626-357-9156 for more information or to register.
Monday workshop times and locations:
1:30-2:45 Monrovia Boys and Girls Club 843 East Olive Ave Monrovia CA
3:30-4:45 Pamela Park 2236 Goodall Ave. Duarte, CA