COCHISE ANDERSON

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TEACHING ARTIST

Download the Teaching Artist.pdf Here

Photo by Tom Roster

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NATIVE AMERICAN CULTURAL RESIDENCIES

Through stories (language arts), music, dance, and cultural background, it is my goal to widen our students' awareness of Native American cultures from both historical and contemporary perspectives. By gaining an understanding of Native and American histories, from both a regional and national point of view, my hope is to build a bridge that connects students with their own cultures and that of others.

For the past sixteen years I have traveled across the country developing a variety of culturally based curriculums for grades K-12. I am currently working with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as a cultural CONNECT partner as well as with SASE-The Write Place, teaching creative writing residencies. I have received two (1998 and 2002) Cultural Collaboration grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and most recently received a Bush Artist Fellowship (2002) for performance art and storytelling.

Beginning with an understanding of the different cultural areas and therefore Native languages, musical forms, traditional dances and even games, students will learn and then process how these cultural life ways functioned and how they still reverberate in contemporary communities.

BENEFITS TO STUDENTS

Our interdisciplinary workshops are age appropriate and combine creative writing, poetry, spoken word, acting, storytelling, music, movement, improvisation, dance, and expression. The programs are designed to be interactive, educational, humorous and fun. They are taught as a natural progression of interrelated and interdependent skills. These skills, which developed early on, make students extremely successful communicators and leaders throughout their lives. Students explore their imagination and gain a greater sense of purpose, understanding and pride in who they are as they discover their unique talents and abilities. They feel more connected with the environment and the world around them. Additionally, they increase their compassion, cooperation, and respect for differing opinions and points of view which help them to perform better in school and in their personal lives as well. After visiting the schools, teachers have reported to us an increase in the focus, active participation, dedication, and learning comprehension of many students. Long after the programs have finished, students who see Mr. Cochise working within the community, often comment that they still have their poems, stories, artwork, and still remember and value what they learned in his classes. Whether making a rattle, learning a drum song, or reciting lines in their own play; students really do treasure what they experience in our classes and programs.

RESIDENCIES FOR THE COMMUNITY HAVE ALSO BEEN HELD AT:

East Side Arts Council Saint Paul and Ramsey County Public Parks and Recreation

Directed the Performance Element and Showcase for the Summer Youth Institute at the Penumbra Theater Company at the Rarig Center and Penumbra Theater, St. Paul, MN.

CORPORATE CULTURAL DIVERSITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Corporate cultural diversity programs are also available to promote understanding and appreciation of Native American cultural values within your community and within your organization. We have designed and delivered corporate cultural diversity programs for various corporations and organizations throughout the country.