ArtSpark

2026 June ArtSpark Sessions

GRADES:  K-2 (all grades refer to the 2025-2026 school year)
June 2026 dates
June 8-12  Ben Franklin Middle School, 1420 8th St N, Fargo, ND
June 22-26  Carl Ben Eielson Middle School, 1601 13th Ave S, Fargo, ND

GRADES:  3-5 (all grades refer to the 2025-2026 school year)
June 2026 dates
June 8-12  Ben Franklin Middle School, 1420 8th St N, Fargo, ND – Section Full!
June 22-26  Carl Ben Eielson Middle School, 1601 13th Ave S, Fargo, ND

Registration Deadline: June 1 for ArtSpark June sessions.

Sign up with a friend. We look forward to seeing you there!

2026 July ArtSpark Sessions

GRADES: K-2 (all grades refer to 2025-2026 school year)
July 2026 dates
July 20-24 at Trollwood Performing Arts School, 801 50th Ave S, Moorhead, MN
July 27-31 at Trollwood Performing Arts School, 801 50th Ave S, Moorhead, MN

GRADES: 3-5 (all grades refer to 2025-2026 school year)
July 2026 dates
July 20-24 at Trollwood Performing Arts School, 801 50th Ave S, Moorhead, MN
July 27-31 at Trollwood Performing Arts School, 801 50th Ave S, Moorhead, MN

Registration Deadline: July 10 for ArtSpark July sessions.

Sign up with a friend.  We look forward to seeing you there!

ARTSPARK INSTRUCTORS

MARIAH SCHAFER
Dance Instructor

Hey guys, I am Miss Mariah! I will be teaching the week of July 20-24 for 3-4 graders. ArtSpark is always one of my summer highlights and I can’t wait to meet you! A little bit about me – This will be my fifth summer at Trollwood! In June I am teaching middle school dance classes (hip hop, dance for stage, and contemporary/jazz) as well as choreographing for the High School Conservatory. Outside of Trollwood, I work at L.E Berger Elementary in admin, Red River Dance & Performing Company as a competitive instructor, and Fargo South High School and Carl Ben Middle School as their musical choreographer. I enjoy reading, coloring, and puzzles, hanging out with my family and two cats Baymax and Boo, lake time, and vintage shopping. See you this summer!

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SHANARA LASSIG
Theatre Instructor

Hello Trollwood families! I am so excited to be teaching my 15th summer of ArtSpark and 6th season of Trollwood Children’s Theatre! I love teaching theatre to amazing learners while I take the summer off from teaching Kindergarten for West Fargo Public Schools. Theatre is a huge part of our household and when not directing, acting, or attending theatre, we are building sets, writing shows, or listening to or reading shows. I can’t wait to see you this summer!

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JOAN DEGERNESS
Music Instructor

Joan Degerness is thrilled to be teaching ArtSpark and music directing the TCT musical, Shrek the Musical Kids, this summer. She is a proud Trollwood Performing Arts School alumna (1979-1983), parent (2006-2021) and staff member (2004-current). During the school year, Joan teaches music at Dorothy Dodds Elementary School in Moorhead and recently, she was the vocal music director for FMCT’s production of The Winter Wonderettes. When she is not teaching or directing, you can find Joan spending quality time with her adorable grandson (Walter, 3 years old), traveling, baking or reading. She lives in West Fargo with her husband, Dan, and pup, Murphy.

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ARTSPARK (K-5)

ArtSpark introduces elementary students to the performing arts in three curricular areas: Vocal Music, Drama, and Dance.  The applicable standards and benchmarks for this program are listed below.  Not all standards and benchmarks will be addressed in each one week session, but a significant number of them will be represented.

MUSIC

Standard 1: Singing
Students sing, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

K-5.1.1. Sing independently on pitch and in rhythm.
K-5.1.2. Sing expressively.
K-5.1.3. Sing from memory a varied repertoire of songs representing genres and styles from diverse cultures.
K-5.1.4. Sing in parts.
K-5.1.5. Sing in groups.

Standard 2: Instrumental Performance
Students perform on instruments, alone and with others, a varied repertoire of music.

*This standard is not applicable in ArtSpark.

Standard 3: Improvisation
Students improvise melodies, variations, and accompaniments.

K-5.3.1. Students improvise simple melodies, rhythmic and melodic variations, and accompaniments.

Standard 4: Composition
Students compose and arrange music within specified guidelines.

*This standard is not applicable in ArtSpark.

Standard 5: Reading Music
Students read and notate music.

K-5.5.1. Read simple rhythms in basic meters.
K-5.5.2. Know how to use a system to read simple pitch notation.
K-5.5.3. Know symbols and traditional terms.
K-5.5.4. Know how to use basic symbols to notate music.

Standard 6: Listening
Students listen to, analyze, and describe music.

K-5.6.1. Know simple music forms when presented aurally.
K-5.6.2. Know a variety of styles representing diverse cultures.
K-5.6.3. Know terminology to describe music.
K-5.6.4. Know the sounds of a variety of instruments and voices for various cultures.
K-5.6.5. Understand the relationship between music and movement.

Standard 7: Evaluating Music
Students evaluate music and music performances.

K-5.7.1. Develop appropriate criteria to evaluate performances and compositions.
K-5.7.2. Understand how to use music terminology to express personal preferences for specific musical works and styles.

Standard 8: Music and Other Disciplines
Students understand the relationship between music, the other arts, and other disciplines.

K-5.8.1. Develop appropriate criteria to evaluate performances and compositions.
K-5.8.2. Understand the interrelationship of music and other disciplines.

Standard 9: Music, History, and Culture
Students understand music in relation to history and culture.

K-5.9.1. Know music from various historical periods.
K-5.9.2. Know how elements of music are used in music examples from various cultures.
K-5.9.3. Know various uses of music in daily experiences.
K-5.9.4. Know characteristics that make certain music suitable for its use.
K-5.9.5. Understand the role of musicians in various music settings and cultures.
K-5.9.6. Know appropriate audience behavior for the context and style of music performed.

DRAMA

Standard 1: Dramatic Literature
Students comprehend a wide variety of dramatic literature.

K-5.1.1. Know published and non-published fiction and nonfiction.
K-5.1.2. Understand scripting.
K-5.1.3. Understand the emotional reactions created by dramatic presentations.

Standard 2: Acting
Students will engage in fundamental acting skills.

K-5.2.1.Use a variety of movement, vocal pitch, tempo, and tone.
K-5.2.2. Understand the relationship between character and movement, vocal pitch, tempo, and tone.
K-5.2.3. Create and sustain a character.

Standard 3: Production
Students engage in fundamental production skills.

K-5.3.1. Know how visual elements and aural aspects are used to communicate.
K-5.3.2. Select materials to create technical elements of production.
K-5.3.3. Create marketing and publicity materials.

Standard 4: Cultural Context of Drama
Students will understand the cultural context of drama.

K-5.4.1. Recognize similarities and differences between theatre and one’s own life.
K-5.4.2. Use dramatization to understand culture.

Standard 5: Consumer of Theatre
Students will understand how to be knowledgeable consumers of theatre.

K-5.5.1. Know appropriate audience behaviors.
K-5.5.2. Know that people react to theatrical productions in different ways.

Standard 6: Drama and Human Development
Students understand the role of theatre in human development.

K-5.6.1. Use drama to develop creative thinking skills.
K-5.6.2. Use drama to develop critical thinking skills.
K-5.6.3. Use drama to develop social skills.

Standard 7: Drama and Other Disciplines
Students understand the connections between drama and other disciplines.

K-5.7.1. Know connections between drama and other disciplines in the curriculum.
K-5.7.2. Know how to use drama to demonstrate knowledge of other disciplines.

DANCE

Standard 1: Movement Skills
Students demonstrate proficiency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

K-5.1.1. Use dance elements to expand movement experiences.
K-5.1.2. Know boundaries of dance space.
K-5.1.3. Understand characteristics of nonlocomotor/axial movements.
K-5.1.4. Understand the characteristics of locomotor movements in many directions and pathways.
K-5.1.5. Move to a rhythmic accompaniment and respond to changes in tempo.
K-5.1.6. Understand the characteristics of balance and proper alignment.
K-5.1.7. Understand how body parts and joints are used in movement.
K-5.1.8. Use kinesthetic awareness, concentration, and focus in performing movement skills.

Standard 2: Choreography
Students understand choreographic principles, processes, and structures.

K-5.2.1. Understand the characteristics of a movement sequence.
K-5.2.2. Understand how improvisation is used to discover and invent movement.
K-5.2.3. Understand the characteristics of a dance phrase that is repeated and/or varied.
K-5.2.4. Know how to use the characteristics of solo and group dance to create whole compositions.

Standard 3: Dance and Meaning
Students understand dance as a way to create and communicate meaning.

K-5.3.1. Communicate ideas using movement.
K-5.3.2. Know how dance is similar to and different from other forms of movement.

Standard 4: Dance and Thinking Skills
Students apply critical and creative thinking skills in dance.

K-5.4.1. Know that a variety of strategies can be used to solve movement problems.
K-5.4.2. Understand how various dance styles are similar to and different from one another.

Standard 5: Dance, History, and Culture
Students understand the historical development of dance and its relationship to various cultures.

K-5.5.1. Know the characteristics of multicultural dance forms.
K-5.5.2. Understand the role and purpose of dance in various cultures.
K-5.5.3. Know characteristics of the forms of theatre dance.
K-5.5.4. Know and apply proper audience etiquette.
K-5.5.5. Know dances unique to local geographic regions.

Standard 6: Dance and Personal Wellness
Students understand the connection between dance and personal wellness.

K-5.6.1. Know healthy practices that enhance the ability to dance.
K-5.6.2. Understand the importance of warming up and cooling down the body.

Standard 7: Dance and Other Disciplines
Students understand the difference between dance and other disciplines.

K-5.7.1. Know how to use dance concepts to enhance understanding of other academic disciplines.