For over two decades Mr. Ralph Mason has been motivating young audiences through music. THE POSITIVE ZONE Assembly energizes and motivates students to learn through music while also having fun. TPZ features Ralph Mason and the musical talents of the incredible three-piece band (two keyboards with auxiliaries, full set of drums, and acoustic guitar). This 39-minute, high-energy, fun-filled “edutainment” experience—a mixture of music, education, and entertainment—inspires youth to stay in school and develop a lifetime enthusiasm for learning. Our mission is to use music as a tool of engaging students to reap the benefits of the educational institution. We ensure this by connecting the students and the teachers to overcome pitfalls we experience in our environments. We focus on values, making positive life choices, being responsible and respectful, and building self-discipline.
We will provide our own PA system and all technical requirements for the performance.
Glen “Papa” Wright’s “Children’s Percussion Workshop” is a hands-on musical program that introduces young students (Pre-K–2) to the percussion family of instruments. Jackie Wright, professional storyteller and retired educator, tells a story as “Papa” demonstrates how to use percussion to add color and texture to the story. Students learn to identify various professional instruments used for rhythm, sound effects, and melody. They are also allowed to play each instrument, experimenting with simple rhythms and melodies. An award-winning arts educator, “Papa” taught percussion at the St. Louis Conservatory and Schools for the Arts (CASA) for 23 years. He taught for two years at St. Louis Community College. He has been a teaching partner with Springboard to Learning for over 30 years. In 2006 he received the Progressive Youth Connection’s World of Children Award for his work with children through Young Audiences of St. Louis.
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Molly is a nationally touring looping musician and incorporates violin, cello, guitar, and her vocals into a genre-defying sound that is completely unique and her own. Dubbed “folk-inspired orchestral looping” when she is solo and “orchestral rock” when she plays with the String Project (her full band), it can be said that she brings an orchestra to every stage she commands. A mixture of mostly original compositions with some choice covers peppered in, her sound is best described as experimental folk/rock.
For solo: PA with at least one sub requested but not required. Power and shade are required. For full band: PA, power, and shade are necessary with at least 24 channels and subs.
JAZZIZ has called Ralph Hepola “a musician who plays the language of contemporary jazz on the tuba.”
Ralph Hepola’s HepTones consists of tuba, keyboard or guitar, bass and drums performing jazz, blues, ballads and Latin.
Just announced in June 2024, Ralph is a finalist in The Made in New York Jazz Competition – the first-ever online jazz contest, now the world’s most-popular jazz competition.
John Stites Jazz Awards awarded Ralph a major grant to tour Illinois and Michigan with his quartet in May 2024.
Ralph Hepola was a Missouri Arts Council April 2021 Featured Artist. He is heard on 51 recordings and 49 videos. As a freelancer in New York City and Minneapolis/St. Paul, Ralph performed on recordings and productions that have been Pulitzer Prize, Grammy, and Tony Award winners and nominees. Ralph was a member of Switzerland’s Basel Symphony Orchestra and The United States Army Band of Washington, D.C.
We can use the backline at a venue or provide our own amplification including mixing board and microphones. Four musicians: tuba, keyboard or guitar, bass, drums.
After four years as a trio, One More Dollar has honed its craft and reputation as a rockin’ roots-based folk music group traveling all over the Midwest. Coming from their home base of Springfield, Missouri, near the heart of the Ozarks region, this unique musical blend of old and new comes together in what can only be described as Americana of the Ozarks, or as they call it, Ozarkana.
Multi-instrumentalists Alisha Thomas, Robert Adkison, and Jeremy Myers have an instrumentation that is “something different” yet brings the culture of the Ozarks one foot stomp at a time with fiddle, banjo, guitar, mandolin, and cello having innovating arrangements of original music and new takes on traditional favorites.
We have our own sound system but if we play a venue that will have sound, we will need a vocal mic and ¼” DI inputs for Alisha, A vocal mic, an instrument mic, and two ¼” DI inputs tor Jeremy, and an instrument mic for Rob.
Squeeze Play—Dan and Kim Christian—are among the premier Accordionists in the World! Their ability to play together with exact precision is unparalleled anywhere on the planet. They are U.S. National and World Bronze Medal Champions. Their performances are charged with a vibrant energy and passion that creates a unique experience that is cherished by people of all ages. A concert by Squeeze Play is a musical whirlwind experience that takes the audience on a musical trip around the World. Styles include French, Italian, German, Irish, Swing, Jazz, Rock, Gospel, Patriotic, and light Classical pieces such as Sabre Dance and Malaguena. People are amazed that just two accordions can produce so much music! Video backgrounds can be provided for venues with big screens. The Christians share their passion and joy for music with each and every audience member. They have performed all over the world including in Beijing, China, and Branson, Missouri!
Depends on the venue
Award-winning Missouri poet and photographer Justin Hamm, with equal parts humor and wonder, performs poems soaked in Missouri creekwater and dried in her prairie winds. He draws on the people and landscapes of his Midwestern home to illustrate the region is not, as the saying goes, “flyover country,” but rather a place of compelling culture, conflict, drama, and beauty. Justin performs with an accessibility and warmth that is perfect for both seasoned poetry fans and those who have yet to make up their mind about the genre. Performances are often accompanied by Justin’s rustic Midwestern photography.
Microphone and occasionally a projector
Praised for his stunning musicianship and dazzling stage presence, Brian Woods is an exciting young concert pianist who “represents the new generation of professional touring artists” (Robert Hart Baker). Combining formidable technique and unique artistry with a charismatic presentational style, he continues to delight and inspire audiences across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Guided by a firm belief in music’s power to improve the lives of all regardless of background, Woods continues to receive high acclaim for his performances, with audiences and critics alike praising his playing as “astonishing” (KDHX St. Louis), “inspiring” (Encinitas, CA), and “taking the audience on a journey” (Watertown, NY). His debut album WANDERINGS was released in 2024 by Navona Records and is now available on all major streaming platforms. Learn more by visiting Brian’s website or following him on Instagram @brianwoodspianist.
Tuned concert grand piano with artist bench, microphone for larger venues
Circus Harmony, St. Louis’ only social circus school, uses the teaching and performing of circus arts to motivate social change. Their high flying youth circus performance troupe is composed of young people aged 10-17 from the St. Louis area. These acclaimed and accomplished young people appear year-round in their home ring at City Museum as well as at events throughout St. Louis and beyond. This talented troupe performs a variety of circus arts including acrobatic, aerial, juggling, and balancing feats of skill and daring. Their graduates can be seen touring the world with Cirque du Soleil, Les 7 Doigts de la Main, The Flying Wallendas, at NBA Halftime Shows, on Broadway, and with other circus companies. Their performances can be combined with circus workshops for audience members. Bring the excitement of the circus to you with ordinary children doing extraordinary things!
Adaptable but need 20’ x 20’ space minimum
RESILIENCE Dance Company is a nonprofit professional contemporary modern dance company. Founded and directed by Emily Haussler in St. Louis, RDC comprises eight unique dance artists. Our mission is to create exceptional dance experiences that fuel human connection. Since 2019, RDC has engaged artists and strengthened communities through performance, education, outreach, and touring programs. RDC both performs repertory concerts and creates original evening-length works that comprise our mainstage season. RDC’s work is rooted in building healthy, sustainable dance spaces that put artists first and enable curiosity, play, and creative risk-taking.
RESILIENCE has touring to Kansas City, Columbia, and Cape Girardeau as well as to Detroit and Chicago for university, festival, and conference performances. We offer both full-length concerts and informal lecture demos, and can work with presenters to construct a program that suits your needs.
Depending on the requested repertoire, RDC can perform in a variety of spaces, including outdoors. A marley floor at least 25’ wide x 20’ deep is required for select repertoire. Please reach out for more information.