Mike and Bev Rogers

Mike Rogers performs with harmonica and guitar and is blind as a result of retinitis pigmentosa. He simultaneously draws on thirty years of professional musicianship, fifteen years of teaching secondary education and ten years of performing in schools from Maine to Georgia and throughout the Bahamas. Mike is joined by his wife Beverly who brings to the duo ten years of substitute teaching experience as well as previous work as a children's storyteller for the public library system in Peach County, Georgia. Mike and Beverly offer harmonica workshops for special-needs students, as well as the general population, age nine through adult. The students learn a song, some techniques and they keep their own harmonicas. Most students come away with a feeling of accomplishment and self-worth. Attitudes shift in each and every student, as they become absorbed with the process of entering the world of music! Mike and Beverly perform motivational folk concerts in which the audience participates through singing and humor. Mike writes most of their music. The theme of the performance stresses the recognition of us all as productive and happy human beings with feelings and talents. Laced with humor and a powerful message this duo's original songs will stay in your heart. They represented Very Special Arts/Maine in the Arts and Soul Conference in Los Angeles, CA in May 1999.

Specialty:

• Folk Musicians

Programs Offered:

• Folk concerts of original songs
• lecture-demonstrations
• Harmonica Workshops

Populations Served:

• All
• Preschool through elementary school
• adults

Availability:

• Statewide
• year round