Educational Background/Training

Story Tapestries Ensemble, founded in 2010 by Arianna Ross, is a collective of professional teaching artists specializing in storytelling, performing arts, and interdisciplinary programs. Story Tapestries Ensemble members have 25+ years of teaching artist experience, many with an education background. They are leaders in the field, and regularly lead teaching artist training, professional development for classroom teachers and school administrators, as well as present at national conferences. Many of our Ensemble members have been trained at the Kennedy Center, WolfTrap, and/or through the Teaching Artist Institute.

In addition to training in Arts Integration and Universal Design for Learning teaching methods, staff and artists are trained in conflict resolution, trauma-response, strategies to support positive mental health, and in equity, diversity and inclusion approaches.

About the Artist/Ensemble

Story Tapestries Ensemble includes Teaching Artists specializing in teaching thorough art forms such as dance, music, theatre, hip hop, rap, written word, visual art, and spoken word poetry.

Artists craft programs that use the arts as a means to bridge barriers and help individuals foster a deeper connection to what they are learning and teaching. Story Tapestries Teaching Artists create customized programs that weave the power of the arts with any school subject. The artists are known for their ability to teach and perform for all ages with equal success because they custom design the programs to fit the needs of students and the subject. For over 26 years, Arianna Ross and her ensemble of artists have performed across the United States in festivals, concert halls, colleges, libraries, and schools. They believe in the power of the arts to Empower, Educate and Engage. All of our programs are custom-designed to support the needs of the
community, adults, and students.

Educational Program Description

Story Tapestries Ensemble blends creative writing, music, dance, theater, and visual arts to foster learning, community building, and cultural appreciation. The ensemble’s programs emphasize:

• Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Programs incorporate mindfulness and empathy-building strategies.
• Academic Achievement: Through arts integration, the ensemble supports STEAM, literacy, and history curricula.
• Equity and Inclusion: Custom-designed programs celebrate diversity and cultural heritage while addressing mental health and accessibility needs.

Each program is tailored to the community’s unique goals, creating spaces for students, educators, and families to explore and thrive.

Our Programs: See full program descriptions here

Performances educate, entertain and bring communities of all ages and backgrounds together in public spaces. Content, length and format are customized.

Workshops bring Arts Integration into the hands of children and adults, providing an opportunity to explore their skills through group activities. Often participants are guided through  using the arts as a tool to learn reading, writing, problem solving and critical thinking skills.

Artist-in-Residencies are a series of 5-20 in-depth arts integrated learning sessions that engage a teaching artist (TA) with select groups of students and teachers to explore literacy, STEAM and other curriculum based standards. Held during or after school or in summer, residencies kick off with a performance, engaging the whole community in a presentation of the artists’ art form, demonstrating strategies and skills that enhance achievement and understanding. Programs conclude with a presentation where participants share what they’ve learned.

Content Areas for arts-integrated residencies: ELA, Literacy, STEAM, Social Studies, History, Geography, Creative Writing, Math, Science, Character Development, World Culture, World Languages, Theatre, Music, Dance, Art, ELL, Special Education Parent and Community Engagement Events often incorporate a performance and a workshop. Parents and mentors learn skills that support what teachers are doing in the classroom daily, becoming a unified team with common objectives. These events can also incorporate local community organizations and provide information about services and activities available in the community.

Professional Development Workshops (PD) are 1-hour to multi-day events that teach educators, administrators, community leaders and TAs strategies to integrate the arts, literacy, STEM, SEL, and character education principles into daily lessons. Participants leave with practical techniques they can immediately apply to their own environment.

Fees

$225 single workshops; $1,000 for a day of 5 workshops back-to back; $5,000 for a full week of workshops (up to 5 sessions a day)

$600– $750 Professional Development (1-hour); price increase for longer workshops

$650 single performance; $1175 back-to-back performance

$1350 Family Night performance and interactive workshop (out of school time 30 minute performance, 30 minute workshop, includes 2 artists for the workshop)

Planning and Evaluation Meetings: For Residencies = $200 per meeting (1 artist plus 1 staff member)

Curricula Planning Hours may be added at a rate of $150 per hour if deemed necessary

Federal Mileage rates will be included to and from the location each day of the engagement

Fees are negotiable

Funding may be available if needed– contact for more information

Audiences

• All Ages