Each year, Performance Today serves local schools across the Twin Cities with its Young Artist in Residence Program. This program sends PT Young Artists into schools to present live concerts. Designed to engage and inspire elementary and junior high students through live musical performance, these concerts help cultivate active listening skills and allow students to experience the joy of classical music.

Due to current circumstances, Performance Today has adapted the concert content to provide virtual learning experiences in their new series "Performance Today in the Classroom." Today's PT in the Classroom Music Lesson features PT Young Artist in Residence Anais Feller.

Target age range: K-8

1. Meet Anais! Anais is a PT Young Artist and she plays the violin.

Write down or tell someone three things you learned from Anais’ introduction.

2. In the next video, listen and watch Anais play John Corigliano’s Stomp.

3. Listen to Anais explain why she loves playing the violin.

Do you remember Anais’ favorite things about playing the violin?

4. The next piece is called Estonian Lullaby by Arvo Pärt. First, watch and listen.

Follow-up questions for reflection, discussion, journaling:

• What is a lullaby?

• What can you remember about Estonia?

• Can you remember what the music is based on?

• How would you describe this music to a friend?

5. The next piece is the Preludio from the Partita No. 3 in E Major by J. S. Bach.

Follow-up questions for reflection, discussion, journaling:

• Can you remember a few things Anais loves about playing her violin?

• Why does Anais like to add her own interpretations to the music she plays?

6. Finally, Anais will review a few key ideas from her PT in the Classroom Concert.

Have a question or suggestion? Contact Katie Condon, music education specialist.

More: View all of our YourClassical Music Lessons

This activity is made possible in part by the Minnesota Legacy Amendment‘s Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund.