Tina Liza Jones is an accomplished performer of American roots music with a particular aptitude and affinity for working with young people. She is a recording artist; she performs regularly and leads workshops at festivals throughout the Southeast and nationally. In addition, she is a master teacher: in her career she has done over sixty-five residencies in six different states, many of them coordinated through state-level arts agencies.

Her school program, “It Could Only Happen in America” presents the history of how European and African music came together and formed American music. It is the history of the banjo from our African ancestors, the fiddle from our English ancestors, and the guitar from our Hispanic ancestors.

Students are delighted by her dancing man (limberjack) demonstration, her singalongs (even in sign language) and her one-woman version of the traditional “Arkansas Traveler” comic sketch.

Although Tina can design a program to suit schools’ varying needs, she prefers to do residencies of 1-10 school days. During this time she presents assemblies, dance parties, classroom workshops, and works daily with a core group of about 12 students to give them a deeper experience with American roots music and dance.

• “Tina has great stage presence, is very lively, and gets students involved and excited about the music. She has studied and played traditional music for a long time; she knows its history and has played with many of the old masters. Her knowledge and experience are vast and she will make a great contribution to any program of this type.” – Mindy DeCesar, Plateau Interpretive Area Supervisor, Blue Ridge Parkway

Rates: $300 per assembly (residency rates below)

Grades: K-5 6-8 9-12

American Roots Music and Dance Residency During a 1-10 school day residency with Tina Liza Jones, your students will learn about the history and music of the Southern Appalachian mountains as they practice songs and dances created in the region they call home. Core groups of 12 students will delve deeply into the music, rhythms, and dances of southwest Virginia; whole-school assemblies will teach your students to recognize instruments and common tunes from the Appalachian tradition.

RATE: $420 per residency day

ADDRESSES THE FOLLOWING VIRGINIA STANDARDS OF LEARNING: • Music:K.1-12; 1.1-6, 11-12; 2.1, 3-6, 8, 10-11; 3.1-2, 4, 7-11, 14-15; 4.1-2, 4, 7, 10, 14-15; 5.1, 4, 6, 9, 11-13; MS.3, 5-9; HS.1, 5, 7-9 • Dance: DM.3, 13-15, 18; DI.8,12-14, 21-23; DII.2, 11, 16, 19. • History & Social Science: 1.6, 1.12, 2.12, VS.1e, 2e, 3a, 4b, 4d, 5b, 6c, 7a, 9a, 9b, 10b; WG.3, 6; USI.2b; VUS.2, 8b