Educational Programs Offerings

PAMAR – Pan American Musical Art Research, Inc.
Educational Program Offerings
PAMAR is non-profit organization, founded in 1984 by Uruguayan-American pianist Polly Ferman,
with the mission of promoting better understanding between the diverse cultures of the Americas,
primarily through dynamic exchange of their music, as interpreted by their musicians, composers and
dancers. Our educational programming stems from Ms. Ferman’s vision as a devoted active
professional pianist, specialized in Latin American music, to teach others about the richness of the
music of her culture, and promote a greater recognition of the artistry born from Latin America. She
feels that the strongest audience and the most potential to make an impact is with the youth of NYC
– to instill a greater understanding of the multi-layered influence the music has had on our
collective culture.
PAMAR is dedicated to bringing innovative programs to NYC public schools introducing Latin
American music through their cultural roots, instruments and songs, allowing children to learn and
appreciate the great influence it has had on our culture today. Our programs encourage kids of Latino
heritage to build a deeper pride in themselves, and promote kids of all ethnic backgrounds to respect
and recognize the unique talents and treasures that every culture has to offer. The classes combine
performance by authentic, accomplished and charismatic Latin American musicians with an
interactive learning experience exploring the rhythms and melodies of Latin America.
How our programs fit into the Department of Education’s Five Strands
Through all of our programs, children have an enriching and entertaining experience. Students will:
 Gain skills and expressive abilities through interacting with the guest artists, as they will
learn to identify different rhythms and instruments, learn the vocabulary we use to describe
Latin music, and use our bodies to express the feeling of the music
 Become musically literate in the characteristic rhythms, tempos, styles and dances specific to
Latin American musical forms and what musical influences (instruments, cultures,
environments) shaped the development of the music
 Make social, historical and cultural connections, as all of our offerings root the music in its
geographic, cultural and historical influences; they will also gain an understanding of the
social, historical and cultural influences Latin American music has had on contemporary
American music; further connections will be made through tasting typical foods from the
areas we study, and learning simple dance movements that go with musical styles we study
 Become enriched by experiences with the cultural community, as each session includes a
conscious balance between students experiencing the teaching artists as performers and
personal interaction and hands-on learning from the guest artists; a field trip to a live
professional performance is always available as an option for students to experience a fullscale production
 Learn about career opportunities in music, and the value of music as a means of expression
and source of enjoyment; the structure of each class is designed to offer students a true
experience with the music, not simply as an observer, but as a participant; longer residency
programs conclude with a Latin American “Festival” where students are given a more formal
setting in which to express themselves through music; we approach the rhythms and
emotions of the music as the rhythms and emotions of life – a tool for expression
OFFERINGS:
1 Day Workshop
3 Day Workshop
6 Week Residency
10 Week Residency
12 Week Residency
Field Trip Performance arranged upon request.
Professional Development Workshop with teachers (included with residency offerings)
Ms. Ferman will work with the school’s teachers to introduce the program and discuss how to
integrate concepts into the classroom. This is also offered as a separate workshop.
ONE- OR THREE-DAY WORKSHOPS/EDUCATIONAL PERFORMANCES
CULTURES OF THE AMERICAS: A BETTER UNDERSTANDING
Programs are available featuring musicians, dancers and composers of diverse Pan
American origin including those of Latin American, Caribbean and North American
heritage. Here is an example of the myriad options of our world-class programs (full
listing of performers available upon request):
THE MUSIC IN THE “RIVER PLATE”
Master artists Daniel Binelli, bandoneon and Polly Ferman, piano present a dynamic and
enlivening program featuring the music of Argentina and Uruguay, spanning a hundred
year history of the Tango beginning with European immigration, which brought the
“soul” of tango, the bandoneon, to Latin America. The Duo’s repertoire will take
audiences on an interactive journey from the 1920s through today. Tango with us through
the history of this magical style of music. Specific program information is available upon
request.
CORRESPONDING RESIDENCY PROGRAM AVAILABLE
*PERFORMANCES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR FAMILY PROGRAMS
RESIDENCY PROGRAMS – A MUSICAL JOURNEY TO LATIN AMERICA+
This 6-, 10- or 12-week residency program is aimed to enrich K-6 students’ appreciation and
knowledge of Latin American music and its cultural origins. The longer the residency, the more
in depth the learning experience for students. Prior to each residency, Ms. Ferman will meet with
teachers for a professional development workshop to introduce the program.
Led by pianist Polly Ferman, each 45-minute session^ will challenge students to understand the
incredible expression brought to life by the music of the various countries that comprise Latin
America. The program encompasses three units of study: Native Origins (Peru, Colombia,
Bolivia), African Origins (Brazil, Cuba, Haiti), and European Origins (Argentina and Uruguay).
Through interaction with Ms. Ferman and top caliber authentic musicians, with extensive
educational experience, brought in for each unit, students will learn where these countries are on
the map, listen to music performed live by the top talents from Latin America, and learn what
instruments and rhythms characterize the different musical styles; they will learn dance
movements inspired by these rhythms and become immersed in the cultural riches of these
musical traditions. Students will gain ownership over the material and demonstrate all we have
achieved together in a final culminating performance. Through many years of working to
promote a better appreciation for Latin American culture, Ms. Ferman has discovered that
focusing this mission toward children has the greatest potential to build strength, confidence,
self-esteem and leadership for future generations and to foster a greater awareness for the
richness of our multi-cultural community.
^We generally work with two groups of students back to back, so we are in the school for 2 45-minute periods per visit repeating
the lesson with each of 2 groups.
Overview of 12-Week Program: A Musical Journey to Latin America
(may be modified to be completed in 6 to 10 weeks)
Each class is led by Polly Ferman with special guest musicians. Prior to the 12-week program,
Polly Ferman will schedule and lead preparatory workshops with classroom teachers to
familiarize them with the program and discuss goals and objectives.
Week One
Introduction: Polly Ferman introduces students to the countries of Latin
America through video and solo piano performance, locating Latin
American countries on the map and discussing language, food and
instruments unique to each region. Ferman plays music on the piano
characteristic of the three specific origins as a preview to the rest of the
residency. Learning the rhythms and melodies of each area, students are
encouraged to use their imaginations to describe life in the different
countries and identify rhythms they may know. This opens curiosity for
the classes to come.
Week Two-Three
Native Origins: Featuring musicians belonging to “indigenous” Latin
America (Colombia, Peru, and other countries)– the first inhabitants.
Week Four
Using skills from the previous sessions, students prepare a performance
piece inspired by Native Origins. (Final performance in Week 10)
Week Five-Six
African Origins: Featuring musicians from Brazil and Cuba who will
perform and interact with the students.
Week Seven
Preparation of performance piece inspired by African Origins.
Week Eight-Nine
European Origins: the Tango and Milonga featuring musicians from
Argentina and Uruguay.
Week Ten
Preparation of performance piece inspired by European Origins.
Week Eleven
Polly Ferman will lead students in discussing and demonstrating what they
have learned. Student presentations may be in the form of music, dance,
drawing, etc. Select students will be asked to perform their improvisations
or present work in the final class, the Latin American Festival.
Week Twelve
Latin American Festival: Students will perform alongside all of the
participating professional musicians and teaching artists (with instruments,
clapping, humming melodies and dancing) to demonstrate their new
knowledge of Latin America, its cultural diversity and musical heritage.
Invited audience optional.
ALL PHOTOS TAKEN FROM RESIDENCY PROGRAM WITH PS228, SPRING 2005
+
This program requires a space with a piano for each session.
* PROGRAM MAY BE OFFERED WITH A BILINGUAL OPTION
FUNDING PROPOSALS TO SUPPORT THESE PROGRAMS IN PROGRESS.