Douglas Spotted Eagle Homepage

Children's/School Series

The Voices of Native America children's performance is a one hour presentation, scaled down from the 32 member troupe performance. Featuring Autumn Morningstar, Herman Begay, and Douglas Spotted Eagle, this performance begins with a contemporary introduction with all 3 principals onstage. With Herman drumming and singing, Autumn sharing percussion, and Douglas on flute, it makes for a striking introduction against the beautifully painted scrim. The opening piece is augmented by 20 foot video of ancient images of traditional Native America project on the scrim. As the performance is presented in 4 parts, "We Dance", "We Honor Our Children", "We Pray", and "We Live", Herman takes the second piece in a Northern Style Grass Dance. Autumn is then introduced with a traditional story of dance.

"We Honor Our Children" is demonstrated by having approximately 20 audience members join Herman, Autumn, and Douglas on stage for a lesson in traditional drumming. As Douglas teaches drumming, and dispels myths generated by Hollywood films, Herman selects audience members to participate in a dancing lesson. Soon, all of the drummers are drumming for all of the dancers, with the audience clapping and stomping their feet..

Utilizing the Pueblo Hoop dance, solo flute, and stories, the cast shares the special meaning of Prayer with the audience. In the Hoop Dance, children are encouraged to recognize their relationship with all things found in this earth. Often the children clap with the drums, providing a strong rhythm for Herman's feet. Children are also brought onto the stage to learn dance steps while their classmates keep time.

Autumn also shares stories relating to children speaking to the environment, and knowing that they must care for all that is around them.

Finally, all of the performers again take the stage together, performing "Closer to Far Away", mixing dance, poetry, large screen visual image, and music for the final piece. The entire performance not only demonstrates Native culture in a traditional and contemporary sense, it also presents the importance of diversity and the dangers of stereotyping and racism.

Flute, Dance, and Storytelling workshops are also available in the children's school series. Special Breakout classes are available for school groups with a desire to learn 'hands-on" skills in storytelling, flute music, and dance. Flutes are available at a very low cost to students. Several 4th grade classes have replaced their recorder/flute units with the Native American Flute, allowing them to not only experience music, but history, culture, and some math influences as well.

Contact t.j. for more information about a flute class in your area. Flute classes, dance classes are also available for adults.