Once upon a time, in the enchanting state of Pennsylvania, a lively group of kids made up the world's quirkiest, most melodious band. These weren't your average, run-of-the-mill musicians - oh no, they were the "Pennsylvania Tuneful Kids" (PTK for short), led by their eccentric conductor, Sir Beats-a-Lot. Pennsylvania, known as the Keystone State, was their sprawling, bustling stage. The state's landscapes were as diverse as their musical instruments - from the roaring rivers that echoed the booming drums, to the towering mountains that competed with their lofty trumpet notes. And the kids? They were an adventurous bunch, as colorful as the vibrant city of Philadelphia and as lively as the historic Gettysburg Battle site. Their leader, Sir Beats-a-Lot, was a knight of rhythm, a maestro of melody, and a guardian of all things musical. With a flick of his baton, he could make the kids play music as sweet as Hershey's chocolates, a favorite Pennsylvania treat. His curly mustache would jiggle with laughter, as he created new, hilarious tunes, unlike anything the Pennsylvanian squirrels or birds had ever heard. This thrilling band of kids could make music out of anything! From the clinks and clanks of Pittsburgh's steel mills to the soft rustle of the Amish County’s cornfields, everything was a symphony in their eager hands. They turned the roars of the Philly's sports crowd into a percussive masterpiece and made harmony from the hustle of Reading's Farmer Market. So, if you ever find yourself in Pennsylvania, close your eyes and open your ears. Listen closely, and you might just hear the melodious mischief of the Pennsylvania Tuneful Kids, conducted by the jolly Sir Beats-a-Lot, turning the everyday into a grand, knee-slapping, toe-tapping orchestra.
Read morebest music programs in Springfield, PA
What began in a humble New York City apartment with just a single student, Spark, has since blossomed into an enriching program impacting thousands of children. Our unique educational approach combines the elements of art, yoga, meditation, and nature to create a holistic learning environment. This distinctive blend is what sets Spark apart, allowing us to reach and inspire a multitude of children in truly meaningful ways. With an array of offerings to accommodate various schedules and needs, Spark has something for everyone. Our services extend beyond the standard after school and weekend classes to include holiday and summer camps, birthday parties, portfolio preparation, private classes, and custom pods. We also welcome homeschool groups and are thrilled to announce the recent addition of a forest school program to our repertoire. You can find Spark on-site in various schools and at our main studio located in the Upper West Side. But we're not stopping there - we're also planning to expand to the Upper East Side and Brooklyn. For our families in Pennsylvania, we run the program from our family studio there. And if you're not in close proximity to any of our locations, don't worry. We offer in-home instruction and virtual options to ensure that Spark can reach you, no matter where you are. We invite you to explore all the ways you can experience Spark and look forward to helping bring our program to you.
Derrick Campbell is a true master of the guitar. For the past 28 years, he has studied with some of the best guitar teachers, including Bob Ferguson and Michael Harris. His love for the instrument started when he was just a sophomore at Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio, and he quickly decided to pursue a career teaching guitar lessons. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Derrick headed to the Boston area in 1997. It didn't take long for him to start working full time as a guitar teacher. Since then, he has played in a number of bands, both cover and original, and written several songs of his own. He is currently in the process of recording these instrumentals in his own home studio.