Luke Vandergriff
Teaching Statement – Luke Vandergriff As an artist and educator, I believe that creativity is not a luxury—it’s essential. Every child deserves opportunities to imagine, make, and express. My goal as a teaching artist is to spark that creative fire by making the arts accessible, hands-on, and deeply connected to real life.
I use music, storytelling, and visual art—often with instruments and materials made from upcycled objects—to show students that art is everywhere, and they already have what they need to begin creating. My programs blend art with science, culture, and language, inviting students to explore sound waves, learn Spanish vocabulary, or tell their own stories through paint and rhythm. Whether building a kazoo, painting a collaborative mural, or helping a child see music in a bottle, I emphasize experimentation, play, and resourcefulness.
Having lived and worked across Latin America, I bring a multicultural perspective that honors diversity and encourages empathy. Above all, I strive to cultivate a classroom environment that is joyful, inclusive, and empowering—where each student feels seen, heard, and inspired to keep creating long after the workshop ends.
Pepito & The Trash Cans
Bilingual Storytelling, Music, and Hands-On Learning for Today’s Classrooms
Pepito & The Trash Cans is an engaging, bilingual musical story designed to captivate and educate students in grades K–5.
Set in Bolivia, the story follows Pepito, a boy who longs to make music but faces poverty and limited resources. With the help of his siblings, he overcomes obstacles by building instruments from bottles, cans, and other found objects—turning trash into treasure.
This dynamic performance supports multiple areas of learning:
● Language Acquisition: Students learn Spanish vocabulary naturally through context, repetition, and visual cues, building language skills in a fun, immersive environment.
● Cultural Appreciation: The Bolivian setting and bilingual storytelling foster a sense of pride for Hispanic students and promote cross-cultural understanding and empathy among all learners.
● STEAM Learning: As students watch instruments come to life from recycled materials, they are introduced to concepts of sound science, engineering, and creative problem-solving—aligned with STEAM goals.
● Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Pepito’s journey encourages resilience, teamwork, and emotional expression, empowering students to face challenges with creativity and hope.
● Environmental Awareness: The performance reinforces the value of recycling and reusing materials, sparking eco-conscious thinking.
Performed by Luke Vandergriff—storyteller, musician, and instrument maker—the show features live music on homemade instruments, audience interaction, and an inspiring message that leaves students with a renewed sense of creativity, compassion, and purpose.
Duration: 40 or 60 minutes
Space Requirements: Indoor or outdoor Minimum 15′ x 10′ performance area
Technical Requirements: 60 minutes set up time, 45 minutes to strike. All sound equipment is provided by Luke’s Entertainment. We just need an electrical outlet.
Pepito & The Trash Cans (Trailer)
Pepito & The Trash Cans (Lucky Tree) https://youtu.be/2QFFF_L6O3c
NC Essential Standards:
SL.K.2, K.MEH.1.1, K.B.1.1, K.G.1.3, ECS.K.B.1.2, SE.1, SE.2, EEE.C.1.1, P.SE.1.2, NL.CLL.2, NL.COD.2, NL.CMT.4.1, NM.CLL.2.2, 1.C.2, 1.AE.1, 1.E.1, 1.G.1, 2.ML.3, 2.C.2, 2.C.1, 2.MEH.1, 2.ICR.1, 2.P.1, 3.ML.1, 3.ML.3, 3.MR.1, 3.C.1, 3.C.2, 3.ICR.1, 4.ML.1, 4.ML.3, 4.C.2, 4.MEH.2, 5.ML.1, 5.ML.3, 5.MR.1, 5.C.1
Turning Trash into Tunes Homemade Music
A STEAM-Powered Celebration of Creativity and Sound
In this high-energy, interactive performance, Luke Vandergriff turns found objects and repurposed materials into a symphony of sound—teaching students how music, science, and imagination come together. With homemade instruments, looping technology, and a contagious passion for creativity, Luke guides students through the physics of sound while encouraging them to reclaim their creativity in a world dominated by screens.
This is more than a show—it’s a call to explore, invent, and listen differently. Educational Highlights
● 🎵 STEAM Integration: Explore the science of sound and how instruments make different notes.
● 🧪 Scientific Inquiry: Students make and test hypotheses about how length, volume, material and tension affect sound.
● ♻ Environmental Awareness: A living example of repurposing, upcycling and creativity .
● 🎤 Hands-On Engagement: Use vocal cords, body percussion, and simple objects to create rhythm and music.
● 🌍 Cultural Appreciation: Discover the history and global journey of the cajón, an Afro-Peruvian box drum.
● 🎮 Digital Wellness: Encourages students to unplug from devices and re-engage with their own imagination.
● ✨ Creative Empowerment: Reinforces the message that everyone is uniquely creative—but creativity must be practiced and protected.
Audience: Adaptable to grades K-8.
Duration: 40 minutes
Space Requirements: Indoor or outdoor Minimum 15′ x 10′ performance area
Technical Requirements: 60 minutes set up time, 45 minutes to strike. Luke’s Entertainment provides all sound equipment. We just need an electrical outlet.
Homemade Music
NC Essential Standards:
SL.K.2, K.P.2.1, K.P.2.2, EX.K.P.2.1, EX.K.E.1.2, K.B.1.1, 1.CP.2.1, 1.ML.1, 1.ML.2, 1.MR.1, 1.CR.1, 1.MS.1, EX.1.P.2, 2.ML.1, 2.ML.3, 2.CR.1, 2.C.2, 2.C.1, 2.MS.1, 2.P.1, 3.ML.1,, 3.ML.3, 3.MR.1, 3.CR.1, 4.ML.1, 4.ML.3, 4.CR.1, 4.C.1, 4.C.2, 5.ML.1, 5.ML.3, 5.MR.1, 5.CR.1, 5.C.1