Teaching Artist

Musician In Residence/Teaching Artist Bio

Robert Ross combines the skills of an award winning singer, songwriter and guitarist with that of a seasoned educator.

Robert Ross is the leader of The Robert Ross Band and is an award-winning singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and recording artist known for blues, jazz, rock ‘n’ roll and other roots music in addition to being a seasoned and respected teaching artist who has been cited for excellence in arts integration.

As a teaching artist Robert (or “Bluesman”) has completed 65 residencies in NYC Public Schools with such stellar organizations such as The Peace Academy at P.S. 119, BRIC Rotunda Gallery, Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning (JCAL), Flushing Council on Culture & the Arts at Flushing Town Hall, and LEAP. Robert has worked with all grades from K-12, at-risk teens, out of school teens, and students with learning disabilities. Robert has won 4 NY State Council of the Arts LCB Re-Grants.

Robert’s 2009 LCB submission, “From I Have A Dream To Yes We  Can” was cited for “best practice in arts in education collaboration.” The panel also voted to double the grant request. In 2012 Robert was assigned to be a member of the panel to evaluate grant submissions for approval. Robert integrates music with American history, current events, and math; and conducts songwriting, guitar, and singing workshops; Robert has also conducted 8 professional development workshops on arts integration with teachers, teaching artists, artists, and administrators for a variety of organizations including BRIC Rotunda, Superflux Collective, Flushing Town Hall, LeAP, and at the 2009 RLLN Spring Symposium & Creativity Carnival at the Brooklyn Museum. Some of the training progrmas and workshops Ross has completed include: Community-Word Project Teaching Artist Training & Internship Program for advanced teaching artists (2010 & 2012), a drama workshop with the Epic Theater Ensemble (2010), Marquis Studios Teaching Artist Training & Internship (2014). Ross, who is also a Reiki 2 healer was recruited to participate in a fascinating panel discussion on education, the arts, science, and healing at Flushing Town Hall (2010).

FROM “I HAVE A DREAM” TO “YES WE CAN”: Our First African-American President
A.K.A. FROM “WE SHALL OVERCOME” TO “YES WE CAN”
Project Created By Teaching Artist: Robert Ross

Project Narrative
Project Blog

The project narrative was written and created by Robert “Bluesman” Ross and was cited for best practice in arts in education by the NYSCA LCB Panel. The panel also elected to double the size of the grant request. There were 10 visits to PS 119 (The Amersfort School of Social Awareness or The Magnet School of Global & Ethical Studies) over the course of 5 weeks in May and June 2009. Principal: Lisa Fernandez. Assistant Principal: Barbara Snow. Lead Classroom Teacher: Frank Jump. Additional Teachers: Mr. Warfield, Miss Sullivan, Miss LaRosa, and Mrs. Berretta..

The project focused on many of the heroes that risked their lives to abolish slavery and achieve some measure of equality for African-Americans. These are the shoulders upon which Barack Obama stands as the first African-American President of the United States.

This project was made possible with funds from the Local Capacity Building (LCB) Initiative, a regrant program of the Arts in Education Program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), administered by BRIC Arts / Media / Brooklyn and the Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC).


COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:

 

FROM “I HAVE A DREAM” TO “YES WE CAN”: The Election of the First African American

President & The Shoulders He Stands On

An Integration of Music & American History for Grades 4 to 12. With songs such as Go Down Moses, Amazing Grace, and We Shall Overcome master teaching artist and singer-songwriter Robert “Bluesman” Ross takes us on an inspiring rollercoaster journey from slavery to Emancipation, and from Jim Crow to Barack Obama. This project focuses on some of the heroes that risked their lives in order to win some measure of freedom and equality for African-Americans and by extension, each and every one of us regardless of race, creed, color, or sexual orientation. Barack Obama, the first African-American President of the United States stands on the shoulders of these giants.

The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) has awarded 4 grants to Robert Ross over the years but in 2009, Ross’ proposal “From I Have A Dream to Yes We Can” was cited by the panel for “best practice in arts in education collaboration”. The panel also voted to double the size of the grant request.

Frank Jump, the lead teacher at PS 119 and collaborator on the project, created a fantastic website and colorful and interactive blog to highlight the amazing student work inspired by the residency.

The website and blog is located at: http://blog.ps119amersfort.com/?p=1383

The project narrative is located at: http://ps119amersfort.com/yes_we_can/html/narrative.html

 

SING YOUR HEART OUT: Classroom Chorus for Grades 1 to 12

Students will sing some of the greatest songs of all time with master musician and two-time NY Music Award winner Robert “Bluesman” Ross. Maybe you don’t sing or think that you can’t sing, well, no worries, no prior experience necessary, come one come all. You’ll be singing before you even realize it. You do not have to read music to sing. Singing is as natural as breathing or talking. The students will overcome any stage fright or lingering shyness they may have about singing and performing. The students’ performances will be recorded.

 

WORDS AND MUSIC: A SongwritingWorkshop for Grades 1 to 12

Master singer-songwriter and two-time NY Music Award winner Robert “Bluesman” Ross inspires students to put pen to paper and set words to music. Students will write their own original lyrics and/or spoken word (rap). We will use a classic blues, rock, or folk song as a melodic template as the structure for the students’ new and original lyrics. We will also write our own compositions, both music and lyrics from scratch The students will also sing and perform their work. The students’ performances will be recorded.

 

GUITAR: A WEAPON OF MASS VIBRATION: Guitar Workshop for Grades 1 to 12

Students of all levels will be welcome to learn guitar at their own pace with master musician and two-time NY Music Award winner Robert “Bluesman” Ross. No prior experience necessary, come one come all. Depending on the length of the residency and the level of the students we may begin the residency with the instruments tuned to an open D chord which will enable the class to start playing songs in only a few lessons. We will explore chords and scales so that the students can navigate their way around a guitar like a pro. We will cover some of the basics of music theory in a fun and simple way so that students really understand what they’re learning. We will play classic songs in a variety of styles including blues, rock, and folk while the teaching artist sings and leads the class on guitar. The students’ performances will be recorded.

 

CARBON FOOTPRINT: An Integration of Art, Music & Science for Grades 4 to 12

The carbon footprint is a measurement of the amount of greenhouse gases that are produced by a country, industry, community, or person. Independent scientists have proven beyond a doubt that these gases, primarily carbon dioxide and methane, are greatly responsible for global warming or what is more accurately described as climate change, extreme weather, or climate chaos. It has also been proven that these filthy fuels and other industrial pollutants are causing cancer rates to skyrocket not only in the industrialized nations that burn them but in other nations that are downwind or downstream of them. Students will learn what we can all do to reduce the carbon footprint in their own lives the 3 R’s (recycle, reuse, and repair). Students will render a drawing of their own carbon footprint, and sing songs about peace, harmony, and the environment with master musician Robert “Bluesman” Ross.

 

THE WEB OF LIFE: An Integration of Art, Music & Science for Grades 4 to 12

This workshop starts with some basic questions such as: What is a plant? What does a plant need to grow and thrive? What does a plant need to reproduce? What is soil? What makes soil rich and fertile? How do plants affect the atmosphere? What role do fungi, bees, and worms play in the web of life? From the top of the food chain to the bottom each species is dependent on others to survive. It is truly a web of life. Omnivores like human beings, carnivores, herbivores, plants, fungi (mushrooms), insects (including pollinators), microbes (because of their nitrogen fixing ability), and nematodes (roundworms) will all be mentioned. The students will learn about the interconnectedness of all life and how all life including our own is threatened by man’s indifference, ignorance, and arrogance. The students will render a drawing depicting the web of life, and sing songs about peace, harmony, and the environment with master musician Robert “Bluesman” Ross.

 

GREEN ENERGY: An Integration of Art, Music and Science for Grades 4 to 12

Is it possible for America and the world to transition to a peaceful, clean, green, and sustainable energy paradigm or are we doomed to continue on the present disastrous course with what Harvey Wasserman calls “King CONG” (Coal, Oil, Nuclear, and Gas)? This may very well be the most important question of the 21st Century. Discuss alternative sources of energy like wind, solar, biofuels, geothermal, and hydroelectric power and learn whether they are ready for prime time or not. Students will render a drawing of what the world would look like if we made the transition to green energy, and sing songs about peace, harmony, and the environment with master musician Robert “Bluesman” Ross.

 

MIND OVER MATTER: An Integration of Art, Music and Science for Grades 4 through 12

Master teaching artist and singer-songwriter Robert “Bluesman” Ross will help students learn about the three most common states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases). We will learn what factors determine which state a substance takes at any one particular time. We will also discuss a fourth state of matter called plasma, as well as touch upon electricity, atoms, and molecules in the process.

 

WATER & TESTING FOR POLLUTION: An Integration of Music & Science for Grades 2 to 12

Master teaching artist and singer-songwriter Robert “Bluesman” Ross will help students answer some basic questions about water such as: What is water? We will learn how important water is to our survival and the survival of all life on Earth. We will learn how much water there is on Earth and about the pollution and climate chaos that is a threat to it. Students will learn to test samples of water for various contaminants.

 

MAGNETISM & ELECTRICITY: An Integration of Music and Science for Grades 2 to 12

Master teaching artist and singer-songwriter Robert “Bluesman” Ross will help students learn the basic fundamentals of the related forces of magnetism and electricity. We will build a simple electric circuit using a flashlight battery, some wire, a flashlight bulb, and a switch. We will use the repulsive force of magnets to propel a small toy car made out of cardboard or wood. Students also will learn how to create a magnet using the electricity in a battery, an iron nail, and a coil of wire. Students will engage in the scientific method as they experiment and observe the properties of magnets and electric circuits.

 

HEALTHY FOOD & NUTRITIOUS MUSIC: An Integration of Music, Science for Grades 1 to 12

Heal the mind, body and soul with music.Explore how diet, nutrition, supplements, exercise, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and pollution can impact your health with master singer-songwriter Robert “Bluesman” Ross. Learn how to lose weight naturally and improve your overall. We will also learn first hand how music can free the mind of negativity, fill the body with energy, and set the spirit soaring. This simple and enjoyable program is guaranteed to optimize your health and feed your mind. And every session includes a mini-concert with master singer-songwriter and two-time NY Music Award winner Robert “Bluesman” Ross singing songs about health.

 

WE THE PEOPLE SING: An Integration of Music & American History for Grades 1 to 12

This is an integration of American history and music. Master teaching artist and singer-songwriter Robert “Bluesman” Ross inspires students to express their opinions, sing, and write lyrics about the most important events and issues in our nation’s history. The program is designed to foster tolerance, cooperation, nonviolence, and peace. Students will develop word recognition, critical thinking, and communication skills, as well as a deeper understanding of history and current events. Collaborating with classroom teachers and following Board of Education curriculum guidelines, Bluesman’s exciting music and unique perspective make the study of history meaningful, relevant, and fun.The students’ performances will be recorded.

 

PERCUSSION ORCHESTRA: An Integration of Music & Math for Grades 1 through 12

The students will explore and create music using percussion instruments and their voices with master musician Robert “Bluesman” Ross. Rhythm is nothing but dancing digits. Music is a kind of Magic that comes from the Math Gods. The students and classroom teachers will participate in call and response exercises and we will play an original piece of music written by the teaching artist entitled “Dancing Digits”. We will also explore melody and harmony and learn that math can be found everywhere in nature let alone the arts. The students’ performances will be recorded. Learn about fractions, whole numbers, mixed numbers, sonic frequencies and more through rhythm, harmony, and melody.

 

BLUES IN THE SCHOOLS: Music History for Grades 4 through 12

Master singer-songwriter and two time NY Music Award winner Robert “Bluesman” Ross will discuss the history of the blues and perform in various styles to demonstrate the range of this influential genre of American music. Some of the artists covered will include: Bessie Smith, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Little Walter, Willie Dixon, Elmore James, B.B. King, Albert King, Ray Charles, Screaming Jay Hawkins, James Brown, Sonny Boy Williamson, Otis Rush, Big Joe Turner, Memphis Slim, Big Mama Thornton, Floyd Jones, Lightnin’ Hopkins, Brownie McGhee, Wilbert Harrison, & John Lee Hooker. Robert got the opportunity to meet and perform with some of these great artists and now students will have a chance to hear some first hand stories about them as well as hearing Robert perform and analyze their songs.

 

THAT’S HOW JAZZ WAS BORN

Jazz History

Coming soon.