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By Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt
It has been a unique meeting of minds, genres and collaborators, starting locally with Prince William County Arts Council (PWCAC), which has a mission to foster the creation, production and appreciation of the arts in the Greater Prince William Area through advocacy and education. Seeking an immersive experience that crosses genres and interests, PWCAC reached out to Kid Pan Alley, a nonprofit aiming to revolutionize the way children engage with music and art.
Led by songwriters Paul and Cheryl Reisler, the organization is dedicated to bringing the joy of songwriting to children of all ages, reinforcing their creative voices through collective expression. The journey began with a pivotal residency in rural Rappahannock County, Virginia, where Paul Reisler discovered the remarkable potential of children as songwriters. This experience ignited a mission that has now led to the creation of over 2,700 original songs by more than 65,000 young artists nationwide.
Kid Pan Alley’s innovative approach to arts education combines music, visual art and language arts into a cohesive learning experience—an approach that appealed to the PWCAC which supports all genres of the arts. PWCAC partnered with Kid Pan Alley to enhance arts education in local schools. Through the Arts in Education Grant, supported by funding from the Virginia Commission for the Arts, the collaboration bloomed, allowing Kid Pan Alley to introduce songwriting workshops that inspire creativity and encourage self-expression among students.
According to Susan Dommer, Chair of the PWCAC Music in Education Committee, the program started with field trips. Pennington Traditional School and Haydon Elementary School participated in engaging visits to the ARTfactory in Manassas. There, students as young as second grade immersed themselves in current exhibits and began their creative process by selecting a piece of art that resonated with them.
Led by Paul and Cheryl Reisler, students were encouraged to explore their emotions and thoughts during brainstorming sessions in the gallery, paving the way for their unique compositions.
Creative Collaboration and Performance
Once back at school, students then collaborated in two dedicated songwriting sessions to craft their own lyrics and melodies inspired by the artwork they had seen. The culmination of their efforts was showcased in a special program, allowing them to present their original songs alongside the art that inspired them.
The experience not only highlighted each student’s creativity but also fostered a sense of community as they shared their work with families and friends, according to Dommer. “The entire school, staff and parent volunteers are impacted by this program,” she said.
At Pennington Traditional School, General Music Teacher Debbie Stewart and her fifth-grade students proudly debuted new songs during a concert, which included a school song collaboratively composed with Stewart.
Meanwhile, Haydon Elementary’s second graders demonstrated their creative achievements as well, showcasing the widespread impact of Kid Pan Alley’s programs across different grade levels. One composition that came out of the program is titled “Everlasting Quest.” The song was inspired by “Roundabout Number Six,” by Patricia Taylor Holz, which was interpreted by the students to be a planet swirling through the galaxy covered in gold.
Inspiration comes from students experiencing the arts and interpreting them. The student-composed song “Everlasting Quest” was
inspired by “Roundabout Number Six,” by Patricia Taylor Holz, which
was interpreted by the students to be a planet swirling through the
galaxy covered in gold.
Everlasting Quest
Swirling around the galaxy, covered in gold
Exploring new places, where our stories unfold
An ocean of colors, I’ll never forget
Searching for something, I haven’t found yet
A Hurricane of turquoise and blue
Always creating something new
We never know what will happen next
It’s all a part of our everlasting quest
Valleys, ridges, mountain top rivers and storms
Shooting stars and black holes so many places to explore
Making new discoveries, so much to learn
Everything in harmony at each and every turn
A Hurricane of turquoise and blue
Always creating something new
We never know what will happen next
It’s all a part of our everlasting quest
A Hurricane of turquoise and blue
Always creating something new
We never know what will happen next
It’s all a part of our everlasting quest
It’s all a part of our everlasting quest
“The Kid Pan Alley program encompasses music, art and language arts, providing students with a significant opportunity to create, which is a fundamental standard of learning in music,” said Dommer, reflecting on the program’s holistic educational benefits that engage students, teachers, and parent volunteers in a meaningful way.
Empowering Voices and Fostering Community
Since its inception, Kid Pan Alley has reached diverse communities from Vermont to Hawaii, advocating for creativity, collaboration and cultural equity. The organization ensures that children from all backgrounds have access to opportunities for creative expression and a fair distribution of artistic resources, mirroring PWCAC’s values. Both organizations’ commitment to fostering a love of music and storytelling remains steadfast, empowering children to find and share their voices.
“The work of Kid Pan Alley and its collaboration with the PWCAC underscores a powerful investment in arts education that benefits students, families and the broader community,” Dommer said. “Through songwriting, Kid Pan Alley continues to inspire the next generation of creative thinkers and artists. We are so very pleased to have been able to work with them and support budding artists and composers on our community.”
For more information about Kid Pan Alley and their enrichment initiatives, visit kidpanalley.org. To learn more about opportunities with PWCAC, visit pwcartscouncil.org.
Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt is an award-winning poet and author. An advocate for the arts, she has written for Prince William Living for more than 10 years. Learn about her creative work at KatherineGotthardt.com.
