If you want a music "artist-in-residence" type - I highly recommend Alpin Hong - he lives in California but is a native of Grand Rapids and a Julliard trained pianist. The kids glommed onto him like a rock star! Dallas Brass is also very good, too.
ComedySports or Second City Comedy also does really fun age-appropriate confidence building workshops.
AcRock out of Chicago does tons of school shows, and you could e-mail them to see if they will be in your area anytime soon.
Check the National Speaker Association website.
Hook up with your local high school music department or touch base with the closest Performing Arts Center in your area (the smaller PAC's are better). I have become friends with our local PAC director and she receives tapes and tapes and tapes of performers all the time.
I read the book "32 Third Graders and One Class bunny" about 2 years ago. After which I emailed the author, Phil Done. He was very kind in replying and does speaking engagements. If you haven't read his book you should. He may be a good fit for your group. He has a website Phillipdone.org. Even though the grades you are catering to is 5th and 6th his humor is universal. Check out his past speaking venues on his website.
Does anyone know of any good motivational speakers/troupes in the mid-Michigan area that are appropriate for 5th and 6th graders, without a religious undertone to their message? Thanks.
Rick Rautanen
Fancher PTO President
Mt. Pleasant, MI
