VocalEssence – Philip Brunelle, artistic director

Anita Ruth has been active in the Twin Cities theatrical and musical circles for over 35 years. After serving as a musical director for over eighty shows at the Chanhassen Dinner Theaters, she has led a varied and exciting life as a freelance musician and educator. She spent eight years with the Children's Theater Company in both theatrical and educational capacities. She is the musical director for Project Success' annual musical production at Anwatin Middle School, involving over one hundred students. Along with residency partner, T. Mychael Rambo, she was named Artist of the Year for 2006 by Young Audiences of Minnesota.

Workshop Description
This workshop will focus on the nonviolent approach of Martin Luther King, Jr. and African American protest movements. From the forceful and beautiful spirituals created by enslaved Africans to the powerful words and songs of the Civil Rights movement, students will explore the importance of group singing as a nonviolent tactic. The workshop will culminate with the students writing their own song of nonviolence and recording it to a CD for the class.

To Prepare Your Students

• Do the activity "Violence or Nonviolence" on page 81 of the WITNESS Teacher's Guide
• Read about Dr. King's "Six Points of Nonviolence" on page 34 of the Teacher's Guide