Préville Productions
IN-School shows and workshops
***Now is the time to book for the 2022-2023 school year. ***
Enriched artistic and cultural learning though ready-made workshops, performances and recurring classes! Benefit from the expertise of Préville’s instructors with experiences designed to enhance your classroom curriculum.
Pricing starts from $375 per 50-minute workshop or performance. Some experiences require art supplies or other materials that are included in our workshop package. Contact us for more information about pricing, content, or to book an experience in your school, classroom or community group!
Our workshops are eligible for the ELAN Artists Inspire Grants. Contact us to learn more. 
For SLE after-school activities click here
CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH PRéville!
Available Workshops for Black History Month
Instructor: Lésouta Luc Bambara
Lésouta Luc Bambara has been sharing his culture and his passion for drumming and dancing in schools throughout Québec for over a decade.
In this interactive performance Luc will give staff and students a taste of culture from Burkina Faso, through a fun and energetic presentation of traditional African drumming and dancing.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
Read our blog post about how we collaborated with the Lester B. Pearson schools board to bring African Drumming & Dancing workshops to their schools for Black History Month.
Instructor: Lésouta Luc Bambara
Lésouta Luc Bambara has been sharing his culture and his passion for drumming and dancing in schools throughout Québec for over a decade.
In this workshop Luc will give participants a taste of culture from Burkina Faso, through a fun and energetic introduction to traditional African drumming and dancing.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Read our blog post about how we collaborated with the Lester B. Pearson schools board to bring African Drumming & Dancing workshops to their schools for Black History Month.
Instructor: Floribert Bantsimba
This workshop allows participants to create unique and personal decorative objects from dried gourds. Students will discover the potential of this magical fruit and highlight its unique shape with the guidance of Floribert Bantsimba, a multidisciplinary artist of African origin, notably from Congo-Brazzaville.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
The following performances are designed for larger groups of students and can accommodate multiple grades or classes as a time. Shows can take place in an auditorium, gym or large outdoor space. All shows include student participation. Below is a list of shows we currently offer.
Instructor: Lésouta Luc Bambara
Lésouta Luc Bambara has been sharing his culture and his passion for drumming and dancing in schools throughout Québec for over a decade.
In this performance Luc will give students and staff a taste of culture from Burkina Faso, through a fun and energetic presentation of traditional African drumming and dancing.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
TYPE: Interactive performance for a large group (also available as an in-class workshops)
Read our blog post about how we collaborated with the Lester B. Pearson schools board to bring African Drumming & Dancing workshops to their schools for Black History Month.
Instructor: Sylvain Grenier
Sylvain Grenier is a percussion performer and creator. He has been giving workshops stemming from his show Concept for Recycling and the Art of Percussion (SCRAP) since 2021, all over Canada. Give your students the opportunity to meet the musician-designer of the CréaSon show! Participants will benefit from the experience of this “reinvented percussion” specialist, while making a musical-environmental effort.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
TYPE: Interactive performance for a large group (also available as in-class workshops)
The hoop dancer will present an interactive hoop dance workshop where she will perform, and then teach students how to execute basic steps, while also sharing about the regalia, history and ceremony behind this traditional storytelling art form.
Read our blog post about the Hoop Dancing workshop held recently at John Rennie High School for Orange Shirt day (for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation day).
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
TYPE: Interactive performance for a large group
Emilio Wawatie is Algonquin-Anishnabeg from Kitigan Zibi and Lac-Barrière in Québec. He is a musician, filmmaker, researcher and educator.
Sharing his talents in guitar and courting flute, Emilio merges music and storytelling to offer students a glimpse at the richness of Algonquin-Anishnabeg history and culture.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
TYPE: Interactive performance for large group (also available as in-class workshops)
Video: African Drumming and Dancing Show
IN-CLASS Workshops
Interactive workshops delivered straight to your classroom, live or online. Workshops are available during school hours, at lunch time or after school. Please note: online workshops require a smart board (or equivalent) with internet access. Below is a list of workshops we currently offer.
Creative Arts & Indigenous Arts
Instructor: Beverly Landry
Share instructor Beverly Landry’s passion for art and art history by making beautiful art together while learning about famous artists, and the cultural and historical elements that influenced their lives and their work. Whether it’s painting, drawing, collage creations or other creative mediums, each workshop can be tailored to the specific time period or art style that your class desires!
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructors: Craig Commanda, Nicole MacKay
Students will learn essential beading techniques to make flat even count peyote, and flat peyote triangles and warped squares, using Hama beads. They will also learn how to attach pieces together to create cool, 3D geometric shapes.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: Multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Maggie Downer
Students and staff will learn about one of history’s oldest known toys: the corn husk doll. Students will discuss the importance of community through these dolls, then they’ll make their own to keep!
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 2 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off
Instructor: Floribert Bantsimba
This workshop allows participants to create unique and personal decorative objects from dried gourds. Students will discover the potential of this magical fruit and highlight its unique shape with the guidance of Floribert Bantsimba, a multidisciplinary artist of African origin, notably from Congo-Brazzaville.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Marie-Celine Einish
It is believed that a dreamcatcher changes a person’s dreams. It’s recommended to hang the dream catcher above someone sleeping to guard against bad dreams. Good dreams pass through and slide down the feathers to the sleeper. The bad dreams are trapped in the web, where they perish in the light of dawn.
Students will build their own dreamcatchers using materials supplied. This is a beautiful workshop where participants can channel their unique creative energy.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: 2 lesson workshop
Instructor: Charlene Tolley
For First Nations Peoples, the drum represents the universal heartbeat of Mother Earth, which was the first sound that was heard in the world. First Nations Peoples manifest this heartbeat through playing a special rhythm on the drum.
With Charlene Tolley, students will make their own* drum and mallet using materials such as deer rawhide and red willow, while also learning about the cultural significance of drum making and playing in Indigenous communities.
*Cycle 3 primary students will work in groups of four on one drum and mallet.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: Multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Stephany Hernandez
Students learn basic techniques to make their own custom-made piece of jewelry. Each piece incorporates
Turkish evil eye beads, as talismans of resilience, protection and good luck. Stephany offers background
information about the use of the beads in different world cultures and historical periods.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary.
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Read about the jewelry-making workshop we did at Beaconsfield High School.
Instructor: Stephany Hernandez
Stephany will introduce students to art journaling as an expressive outlet. Centred around mindful art-making, the goal is to create with intention and begin a weekly art practice in a sketchbook. Art journaling can help us centre our thoughts, and channel our inner creative selves, contributing to a deeper sense of mental well-being.
“The students really benefited from the [Expressive Art Journals] workshop. They had fun, were able to express themselves creatively, and walked away with something concrete to use in the future. I was also so impressed with the materials provided. They really facilitated the activity and increased student engagement. It is apparent that [artist and teacher, Stephany Hernandez,] loves what she does. Her passion and ability to connect and communicate with students surpassed my expectations.”
– Ms. Liane Brabant
Cycle II English Teacher & Teacher Mentoring Coordinator
John Rennie High School
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary.
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Read about the recent Expressive Art Journal workshop we did for seniors at the Saint-Lambert Library.
Learn about the Expressive Arts Journal workshop we did at John Rennie High School.
Interactive storytelling with traditional crafts. Projects will include working with materials such as sweetgrass, birch bark, red willow, etc. More details to come.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Jason Sikoak
Students will be guided in interactive drawing or painting workshops while learning about the artist’s
background and culture.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary.
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Maggie Downer
This workshop uses a word like “power” or “resilience” as its starting point. Then, through interactive discussion, students will create their own definitions of these words using an indigenous/holistic lens. Clay and simple tools are used to model a person or creature they believe represents what “power” or “reliance” looks like. Creative and thought provoking.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 2 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off
Instructor: Adam Asselin-Rioux
Students will learn basic break and b-boy/girl moves and they can then finish the class off with an old school dance battle! A great way to get your students to interact from a distance.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 2 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off
Instructor: Tanya DeVilliers
Students will get moving with the energetic and passionate fitness coach, Tanya DeVilliers, as she guides them through kid-friendly exercise circuits. Paired with discussion circles on overall health, students will
learn how to develop a stronger mind-body awareness and will have fun while doing it!
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructors: Paulina Posadas and Adam Asselin-Rioux
This non-contact dance class will take the students through the basics of latin dancing and be sure to have them moving in no time while also educating them on Latin culture.
AGE GROUP: Secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Lésouta Luc Bambara
Lésouta Luc Bambara has been sharing his culture and his passion for drumming and dancing in schools throughout Québec for over a decade.
In this workshop Luc will give participants a taste of culture from Burkina Faso, through a fun and energetic introduction to traditional African drumming and dancing.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten to secondary students)
TYPE: In-class workshops (also available as a performance for a larger group)
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Read our blog post about how we collaborated with the Lester B. Pearson schools board to bring African Drumming & Dancing workshops to their schools for Black History Month.
Instructor: Sylvain Grenier
Sylvain Grenier is a percussion performer and creator. He has been giving workshops stemming from his show Concept for Recycling and the Art of Percussion (SCRAP) since 2021, all over Canada. Give your students the opportunity to meet the musician-designer of the CréaSon show! Participants will benefit from the experience of this “reinvented percussion” specialist, while making a musical-environmental effort.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
TYPE: In-class workshops (also available as a performance for a larger group)
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Solon McDade
What does jazz music teach us about ourselves and the people around us? Juno award-winning musician Solon McDade hosts this exploration of spirituality, innovation, improvisation, individuality and tradition through the music of jazz.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Alison Notkin
People love listening to songs, but what does it take to create one yourself? Musicologist and songwriter Alison Notkin demystifies the art of songwriting and coaches the group through the creation of their own personalized class song.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Emilio Wawatie is Algonquin-Anishnabeg from Kitigan Zibi and Lac-Barrière in Québec. He is a musician, filmmaker, researcher and educator.
In this workshop-performance, Emilio merges his talents in music and storytelling to offer students a glimpse at the richness of Algonquin-Anishnabeg history and culture.
AGE GROUP: All ages (kindergarten, primary and secondary students)
TYPE: In-class workshops (also available as a performance for larger group)
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
Instructor: Alison Notkin
Join musicologist and songwriter Alison Notkin in an exploration of how popular songs have been used historically and are still being used today to influence people and even change their minds about social, political and environmental issues.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 3 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: One-off or multi-lesson workshops
ROBOTICS & CODING
Instructor: Robot in a Can
Participants will learn to put together their own robot using the unique technology created by the team at Robot in a Can, while also learning about electricity, artificial intelligence and design fundamentals.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: 6-10 workshops
Instructor: Robot in a Can
Programming is easier than you think! Learn the basics of coding in HTML and CSS in a fun and accessible way with the Robot In A Can team.
AGE GROUP: Primary (Cycle 1 and up) and secondary students
TYPE: In-class workshops
SUGGESTED NUMBER OF WORKSHOPS: 6-10 workshops
Past projects & Workshops
“The students really benefited from the [Expressive Art Journals] workshop. They had fun, were able to express themselves creatively, and walked away with something concrete to use in the future. I was also so impressed with the materials provided. They really facilitated the activity and increased student engagement. It is apparent that [artist and teacher, Stephany Hernandez,] loves what she does. Her passion and ability to connect and communicate with students surpassed my expectations.”
– Ms. Liane Brabant
Cycle II English Teacher & Teacher Mentoring Coordinator
John Rennie High School
An Interview with Préville In Schools
Frank Caracciolo from the Lester B. Pearson School Board interviews members of the Préville Fine Arts team for an episode of his podcast called, The Blank Canvas.
Frank is a visual artist and teacher, who is also the pedagogical consultant for the LBPSB. He helps us connect with teachers for our Preville In Schools programming.
