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RockRoots:
The History of
American Pop Music is an award-winning four-piece band that has been
entertaining and educating school and festival audiences with this unique,
live celebration of the history of Rock and Roll. From African
rhythms, Delta Blues, Swing, R&B, Country through Elvis, Motown,
Beatles, Hendrix, Disco and World Beat, the lads, Dave Fry, Kevin
Soffera, Nick Franclik and Donny Mayer, play with authority and fun,
while sharing the tremendous educational and musical power of this
uniquely American cultural history.
Just Imagine:
Dave’s popular
elementary school show, Just Imagine, mixes folk and rock and roll,
spontaneous songwriting, storytelling and, of course, audience
participation. Dave includes acoustic and electric guitar, mandolin, an
occasional banjo, as well as unaccompanied singing.
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"The kids just love Dave. How could they
not? They'll hear wildly imaginative songs about the making of a peanut
butter sandwich, the cat that came back, and an adventurous bear hunt.
Dave's infectious take on traditional and contemporary folk music gets the
audience cooked up in a recipe of homemade music, with fun and learning
the main ingredients.&qout; — Young Audiences of Eastern PA
"A refreshingly relaxed personality and
winning audience interplay make folk singer and musician Dave Fry's
performance irresistible to kids of all ages. A virtuoso on guitar and
mandolin, he turns folk selections – both widely known and new to kids'
ears – into true adventures: whether they be wild animal excursions or the
right-at-home thrills of peanut butter. Moving with ease from the
downright silly I Want to Be a Dog to the joyfully rockin' Splish
Splash, Dave Fry energizes his audience with the idea that writing songs
really is an adventure in fun." — Young Audiences of New Jersey
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A Hip Hooray for the USA!:
an educational sing along,
celebrating the history of American patriotic folk music and our American
community. From Yankee Doodle, the Star Spangled Banner, This Land
is Your Land and more, Dave tells the stories behind the songs as the
audience joins in.
Early Childhood Music:
Dave is a wonderful entertainer of the preschool set, with
silly songs, old favorites, folk, rock n’ roll and play songs that capture
the joy of making music, hands-on and family-style. Dave is
recognized as a Teaching Artist in CT, PA and NJ and has completed
training in those three states in early childhood music. Dave has
taken Creative Beginnings training with YANJ, and participated in
PASELA, a year-long pilot project on the South Side of Bethlehem' Head
Starts, Pre-K's and day cares. Dave brings alon his bag of
hands-on instruments so that all get to make music. Dave
performs regularly for toddlers and their families in libraries, Pottery
Barn for Kids stores across the East Coast, as well as pre-school
concerts. He also does seminars on early
childhood music and has been on the faculty of Pennsylvania Youth Theater
in Bethlehem, teaching music and movement to toddlers and primary
students.
Adult Folk:
Having performed in jug bands, bluegrass,
Texas swing, Celtic rock, rock n’ roll and as a solo for 30 years, Dave
has amassed an incredible selection of songs, tunes and ditties that span
generations of music. Dave also has seen the best in the business play,
having booked Godfrey Daniels for 25 years. From traditional folk songs
to Delta blues, swing to bluegrass, rock n’ roll to Irish ballads,
contemporary songs to instrumentals, Dave knows what works!
Instrumentally, Dave is adept at flat
picking, finger picking and plays a remarkably percussive rhythm guitar.
Dave adds mandolin and occasional banjo, and will often put down his
instruments for a raucous a Capella song. But it is Dave’s warm and
engaging stage patter, audience participation and obvious joy of
performing that makes for an enjoyable evening, a veritable folk festival unto
itself.
Songwriting Residency:
Dave has excited and energized whole
schools with his songwriting residencies, whether with one day visits or
with extended sessions. Dave excels in funneling ideas into song,
often with specific curriculum subjects, but also with creative looks at
school, life as a student, etc. Dave has co-written over 300 songs
in the last 20 years, some of which have made it to his albums.
The process involves rhyming games,
subject brainstorming, lyric and story development, reflection,
rehearsal and performance. Art work for CD covers and other
creative ways of expanding the process can really broaden the whole
experience.
The kids take ownership of the creative process. The final product is
energized students, interesting songs, an introduction to the craft
of writing and performing original music, creative risk-taking and nice sense of school
community.
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I wish to express our
appreciation for you sharing your musical talent with us. The feedback
we got from our students was very positive, as well as the other music
teachers, who also expressed their satisfaction in how well the students
related to you personally.
We are still performing the
song United We Stand. It has become an important part of our
repertoire, helping many students express something they have felt deeply
for some time. Certainly, music is a powerful vehicle which can be used
in the healing process after such traumatic events.
— Keith Quelet, Music Teacher, East Hills Middle School, Bethlehem, PA

Dave Fry is no stranger to Scheckler. He has shared his love and boundless enthusiasm for music with
our students on several occasions. Dave immediately captures his
audience's respect and enthusiasm, and leaves them with a greater
appreciation of music. When it came to choose someone for a full day
music program, Dave Fry was the unanimous choice.
Working with both students
and teachers, Dave directed the creation of both music and lyrics for a
wonderful original song. Dave's talent and outstanding rapport with
students made this task easy.
Guided completely by student input, the song
quickly emerged. Basic curriculum ideas and creative writing skills
supported this musical process.
In the evening, Dave joined
an enthusiastic group to perform their song for the audience. Humorous,
creative, and energetic musical selections were created and performed.
Dave's seemingly endless energy and talent was evident, and we would
highly recommend him as an in-school artist and performer.
— Arts Integration Team, Scheckler Elementary School, Catasauqua, PA

Well, you heard the
excitement in my voice on the day of Dave's program here at my school.
The program was a huge success! I highly recommend it to all. By
incorporating current curriculum, Dave's songwriting program connected
music, poetry and movements arts.
Center School students have learning differences. Children
who suffer from Learning Disabilities often suffer from lack of
self-esteem. Drawing these students our of their shells and inspiring
them to take risks is a difficult task. Dave and the staff created a safe
environment where students were encouraged to express themselves and to be
creative. Dave recognized and met the challenge. Attracting and
captivating a thoroughly diverse age range of children that learn
differently is even more challenging. This has been a lesson the students
will long remember. Thank you for that.
— Debra Halpern, Director of Development, Center School, Philadelphia, PA
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