For the past two weeks, the Tyrone Area Elementary School in conjunction with the Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, has hosted artist-in-residence and Scottish cultural educator, John Meikle.
His residencies in Scottish music incorporate story telling, singing, whistle playing, bag piping and dance.
Meikle aims to share his rich cultural heritage with students from diverse backgrounds so they can appreciate and more deeply understand Scottish culture.
According to Tyrone Elementary art educator Ann Yaniello, Meikle believes when people understand the ties everyone has to their traditions through an art form, everyone gains.
During his stay at Tyrone Elementary, Meikle has been working with students in second, third, fourth and fifth grades in preparation for a performance scheduled for today. The students in each grade are learning separate dances and songs they will perform at the assembly.
Born and raised in Scotland, Meikle was a PCA Folk Arts apprentice to bagpiper, George Balderase, had bagpipe training at Balmoral Schools, and had whistle training at Augusta Heritage Center.
In addition, Meikle learned singing, dance and storytelling from his family and community in Scotland.
He has conducted numerous Scottish traditional music and dance residencies and workshops in schools and has had social work counseling experience with mentally and physically challenged students in Scotland, Nigeria and Pittsburgh. He also has secondary school teaching experience in Nigeria.
His programs vary from day-long workshops, long term residencies or assembly programs.
The programs include: ballad singing and storytelling workshops, Celtic music performances and workshops, Scottish ceili dancing, culture and history discussion through slide presentations and stories, tin whistle making and playing classes and songs and poetry of Robert Burns.
To contact Meikle, phone 412-761-2553 or write to: 3612 Massachusetts Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15212.
