In order to enhance the Putnam Valley Middle School PVMS Latin America curriculum, the Putnam Valley PTA's Arts in Education (AIE) Committee sponsored a residency for the fifth grade students at PVMS on Tuesday, May 20. The featured performers, known collectively as Sirius Coyote, are a multitalented group of musicians, storytellers, and instrument makers who perform on more than 30 different ancient and modern instruments of the Americas—some of them hand crafted by the artists themselves. Their concerts and workshops have delighted audiences from New England to Mexico since 1986.

Sirius Coyote began the day with class workshops providing students with information about Latin American culture as seen through the musical and oral traditions of indigenous, European, and African peoples. A vast number of musical instruments from each of these cultures was displayed, demonstrated, discussed, and played by both instructors and students. The students were then treated to an afternoon concert in which Sirius Coyote brought their audience on a musical journey to the realms of magical sounds of the Americas . . . from the oceans and tropical rainforests to the forests, deserts, and villages of the High Sierras. Songs and styles were drawn from their Latin American repertoire, including pre-Columbian pieces, Brazilian music, Caribbean themes, Mexican folklore, nueva cancion, identity songs, animal songs, food songs, and dance tunes.

As the photos demonstrate, the students were completely engaged in their learning. They loved the hands-on experience. PVMS fifth grade teacher Jodi Sepa commented "Sirius Coyote has infused an exciting and enriching experience into our study of Latin America for many years. We are lucky to be able to offer such a wonderful enhancement to our fifth graders at PVMS!" This Arts In Education-funded residency is in its seventh year at PVMS. For more information visit www.siriuscoyote.org.