Princeton, N.J. | April 4, 2025—Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA (YA) is excited to welcome a new group of talented teaching artists to its roster.

As part of YA’s mission to inspire young people and expand their learning through the arts, these accomplished teaching artists will lead interactive assemblies and workshops. The artists represent a wide range of talents and come from various locations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland. 

The new teaching artists include:

Daniel Kelly (Cold Spring, NY) - Music

Daniel Kelly’s assembly Shakespeare in Song takes text from the Bard’s masterpieces and transforms them into fresh, dynamic songs with jazz, salsa, and pop stylings that will have audiences singing along in delight.

Daryl Cobb (Annandale, NJ) - Literary Arts

Daryl Cobb’s assembly A Writer’s Journey is so much fun that the students won’t realize until it’s over that it was a big writing class. The program is a mix of music and storytelling and helps students learn how to use their lives and experiences as artistic inspiration.

Mozart and Friends (New York, NY) - Music

The Mindful Melodies assembly performed by Mozart and Friends is an interactive concert program that uses the universal language of music to inspire mindful action, focus, and social-emotional learning.

Ridiculous Nicholas (Ephrata, PA) - Theatre/Circus

Nick Polini left his career as a fish biologist to follow his dream of becoming a circus performer and ended up on America’s Got Talent! Now, he’s combining his passions – science, juggling, and comedy – in The Super Science Show! This action-packed, educational assembly utilizes circus tricks as a way to make STEAM learning fun.

Rhythm World: Rhythm World Drum & Dance Experience (Drexel Hill, PA) - Music

Dynamic drummer Senfu Stoney leads this group in uplifting African music and dance forms. The Grammy-nominated, Bessie-winning percussionist has toured the world on big stages with the likes of Leslie Odom Jr., Cynthia Erivo, Lauryn Hill, Shakira, The Roots, and more. Now, he's bringing the rhythm to schools in NJ and PA through interactive assemblies to help students discover their inner musicians.

Existing roster artists who are offering new programs include:

Gayle Danley’s (Silver Spring, MD) assembly Soul Portraits - Literary Arts

This powerful performance builds a meaningful connection with students through the delivery of heart-stirring, real-life poetry, creating an incomparable literary experience that is both dramatic and humorous.

Enchantment Theatre Company’s (Philadelphia, PA) assembly Mommy’s Khimar - Theatre

The hit children’s book by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow comes to life in this colorful adventure! In this play, a young Black Muslim girl takes one of her mother’s headscarves or khimars, and with the power of her imagination, uses the khimar to dream about what she may become. This exciting offering was carefully created in collaboration with the author, a Philly-based writer.

Two new workshops from Rashad Malik Davis (Hamilton, NJ): Let’s Get Animated: 2D Digital Animation Studio and Of Heroes and Villains: Comic Design Studio - Visual Arts

Let’s Get Animated is a beginner's animation course and students will learn the basics of 2D animation.

Of Heroes and Villains teaches the basics of comic storytelling.

One new workshop from April Zay (West Windsor, NJ): Paint Your Feelings with Music and Poetry - Visual Arts

How do artists come up with their ideas? They’re inspired by the world around them! Paint Your Feelings lets students build their personal artistry by creating original artwork inspired by a piece of music or a poem.

Updated plays from our traveling theatre teaching artists include:

Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble (Bloomsburg, PA) will present “Neuro-Influencers - This is Your Brain on Social Media,” an original play that confronts how the modern Internet age affects young people and the world at large.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (Florham Park, NJ) will present two classics, back by popular demand – “Macbeth” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Each artist was carefully selected by YA. They are all professionals who educate as well as excel in their art form. Each artist goes through an audition process with YA to ensure that schools are getting the best educational arts experience possible.

To schedule a program fill out a contact form or reach out to Donna Reckelhoff, programming director, at donnajr@yanjep.org or 866-500-9265.

For a complete list of teaching artists visit https://yanjep.org/artists/.

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About Young Audiences Arts for Learning New Jersey and Eastern PA

Young Audiences Arts for Learning NJ & Eastern PA, established in 1973, is the leading arts-in-education resource in the region, offering teaching artist-led performances, workshops, residencies, and professional learning programs to schools across New Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. With an extensive roster of professional teaching artists spanning various art forms, Young Audiences has impacted more than 15 million children in its 50-year history. Committed to inspiring young minds and fostering inclusive learning environments, Young Audiences strives to ensure that every child receives rich and meaningful arts experiences. Through diverse and accessible programs, the organization aims to strengthen arts education, meet curriculum standards, and enrich cultural life in communities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. To learn more, visit yanjep.org.