Performing Black Artistry Through Music & Engagement

INTERACTIVE LEARNING​

​Bringing culturally-responsive interactive experiences to your classroom - one hour a time.

Interested in a Castle of our Skins Workshop? Contact Taylor Lena McTootle at taylor@castleskins.org  
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PLAY SONGS
AND GAMES

Play Songs and Games explores Afro-American and Caribbean ​songs and games.
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PORTRAITS OF SPIRITUALS

Portraits of Spirituals is a lecture/performance exploring spirituals in their original form.

MY FAVORITE
​THINGS

My Favorite Things
introduces ​young learners to an array of musical genres.
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voices of
​BLACK MADONNA​

Voices of Black Madonna 
​explores women's roles in the fight for liberation.

TALKING
​BLUES

Talking Blues explores the long and meaningful relationship between the blues and poetry.
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STOPPING
​TIME

Stopping Time delves into the connection between
​Blues and poetry.

FREEDOM MOVEMENt

Freedom Movement  connects  students with Haitian rhythm and movement.
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SINGING SPIRITUALS​

Singing Spirituals teaches the historical significance of spirituals.

deep dive lectures

Exploring some of our favorite topics from Black Composers to Afro-Futurism.
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"This was and is really needed for our children. I appreciate so much the way you link our history, particularly black history with music. I could see two benefits for our children out of this presentation: not only boosting their self-esteem as young black children, but also increasing their love of music. Well done.  A breath of hope and inspiration." - Parent

INTERESTED? CONTACT TAYLOR MCTOOTLE

Showcasing the Beauty Found Within a Richly Diverse Culture

Residencies

Castle of Our Skins brings Black artistry to your classrooms and community organizations, through multi-day, sequential based learning.​
​
Interested in a Castle of our Skins residency? Contact Taylor Lena McTootle at taylor@castleskins.org  
​​

Selected community partners

 View a full listing of our community partners HERE! 

INTERESTED? CONTACT TAYLOR MCTOOTLE

Teaching Black Artistry Through History & Interaction

Edu-Tainment recitals

​These family-friendly concerts mix history and the music of Black composers
​in both an educational and entertaining way.

INTERESTED? CONTACT TAYLOR MCTOOTLE

Reaching Audiences of All Ages With Music and Storytelling

our Teaching Artists

​Click the buttons below to learn more about our fantastic team of teaching artists!​

Alexis Peart

​Alexis Peart is a multifaceted mezzo-soprano, music educator, and arts administrator based in Boston, MA.

Learn more about alexis

Taylor Lena McTootle

Taylor Lena McTootle is an educator and writer from the Washington, DC area now living in Roxbury, MA.

learn more about taylor

Steph Davis

Steph Davis is a Boston-based marimbist, composer, cultural activist, interdisciplinary artist, and curator.

learn more about steph

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​We are also available to join in as a panelist in your next discussion,
interviewee in your next podcast series, ​guest lecturer on entrepreneurship
and citizen artistry, and more! 
​

Interested? contact Taylor mctootle