DARKE COUNTY – Darke County Center for the Arts will present award-winning singer/songwriter Jonathan Kingham Monday through Thursday in all local high schools.
He will be assisted in these free-style songwriting workshops by Ryan Shea Smith, another recipient of multiple songwriting awards.
According to DCCA Artistic Director Keith Rawlins, the duo received lavish praise from students and educators alike at their previous appearances in DCCA’s Arts In Education program.
“Frankly, the kids were having so much fun that they didn’t realize how much they were learning during the lively Arts In Education sessions a few years ago,” Rawlins said. “We are looking forward to another series of memorable performances this time around.”
Kingham has won international acclaim as a songwriter and performer and is known for his smooth blend of folk, country, pop and jazz styles. Additionally, he plays keyboard and guitar with alternative rock band Toad the Wet Sprocket.
Smith maintains a steady touring schedule and is known for his singing as well as his impressive command of keyboard and guitar.
The songwriting sessions will result in students cooperatively creating a song that they will help perform at the end of the creative session.
DCCA’s Arts In Education series annually presents high quality professional artists to students in every grade of all local public schools; these programs are free and open to the public.
Arts In Education is sponsored by Bach to Rock, DP&L Company Foundation, Richard Baker, Greenville VFW Post No. 7262, Greenville Federal, Maid-Rite Sandwich Shoppe, Midmark, Gordon Orthodontics, the Wes & Patti Jetter Fund, the Mandy Green Fund, Edison State Community College, The Early Bird & Blue Bag Media, Littman-Thomas Agency and Wayne HealthCare.
DCCA also receives local support from the John R. and Miriam H. Knick Fund of the Darke County Foundation, The Ketrow Foundation, Lydia E. Schaurer Memorial Trust, Harry D. Stephens Memorial and DCCA memberships as well as funding from the Ohio Arts Council, the state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.
Kingham also will perform on Thursday at Montage Cafe as part of DCCA’s casual and intimate Coffeehouse Series; tickets for this show, which begins at 7 p.m., cost $10.
DCCA’s Arts In Education presentations are free and open to the public. Start times for A.I.E. programs are coordinated with school schedules; for more information, contact DCCA at 937-547-0908 or [email protected].