Family Music Class presented by Blue House Music and Art Camp 504 is an immersive music experience for infant, toddler and Pre-K age children along with their caregivers. The infant and toddler class focuses on early language development, especially phonemic sound, and gross motor development  from crawling and first steps to finger-walking and motoring around. The class teaches eye tracking, attention, and connection with the caregiver. Through singing, movement and instrument play children will experience rich learning in key developmental domains while caregivers gain powerful tools to communicate with their little ones. Blue House Music is an early learning program for children under five that empowers caregivers to actively participate in music making.

Class begins promptly at 4:30pm. Please arrive at 4:15 to get settled before class. We encourage families to play at Markey Park or visit Pizza Delicious after class ends! We love making new friends!

HOW TO JOIN FOR DROP IN DATES: We reserve two drop in spots per class. You must RSVP and pay via venmo to reserve your spot at least 24 hours in advance. Due to building capacity, we do not accept walk-ins without an RSVP. 

1. RSVP: Email bluehouseclasses@gmail.com to see if there are spots available for your chosen class
2. SUBMIT PAYMENT: Send payment $30 via venmo to @artcamp504 or cashapp $artcamp504

MEET THE TEACHER:

CHRISTOPHER “MR. CHRIS” SHEARD (he/him) is a music teacher and teaching artist with over fifteen years in the field of early childhood music. He has been certified in Music Together, Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts and the Young Audiences National Teaching Artist Credential. He is the founder of Blue House Music, a direct-to-family early learning music program that serves children under five and their caregivers. He currently works as the lower school music teacher at The McGehee School for Girls and Little Gate. He is a Bywater resident, father of two, and is so excited to join the Art Camp 504 team!

This class is designed for our youngest artists with an emphasis on drawing! Kids will learn foundational art skills like making different kinds of lines, choosing colors, and adding details to their drawings. We’ll practice drawing our own characters by exploring eyes, noses, hairstyles, and expressive faces. We’ll use art materials such as oil pastels, watercolor paints, and ink. Even though this class focuses on drawing, we’ll also experiment with sculptural mixed-media projects that let kids explore and play with different textures and techniques. Our goal is to help every child feel confident, creative, and proud of their artwork. This class is a warm, encouraging space where young artists can discover their own unique style. No experience needed—this beginner class is great for all students!

MEET THE TEACHER:

MIKHAYLA HARRELL (she/her) is an educator and arts advocate with over twenty years of experience helping young creatives turn wild ideas into real, hold-in-your-hands books. She holds a Master of Arts in Education and a K–12 Fine Arts teaching credential from the University of New Mexico. A lifelong storyteller and unapologetic doodler, she believes every scribble has a story and every kid has a voice worth printing. She specializes in zines, mini-comics, and DIY bookmaking, guiding students through characters, panels, and plot twists with equal parts enthusiasm and mischief. Mikhayla currently serves as Co-President of the Louisiana Art Education Association, advocating for arts educators statewide through mentorship, funding opportunities, and professional development. Previously, she managed teen programs at the Ogden Museum of Southern Art.

This class is perfect for students eager to explore visual arts across a variety of mediums. Over the course of the semester, students will work with Art Camp 504 teaching artists to develop skills in illustration, drawing fundamentals, watercolor techniques, mixed media collage, sculpture, and more. Projects include costume pieces, clay figurines and minatures, textured prints and more. Our goal is to nurture a love of art and creativity in our youngest artists! With a small group format, this class allows for individual attention and flexibility—projects are often guided by student interests and feedback to ensure an engaging and personalized experience.

This class is designed for young artists that want to explore and build their technical drawing skills. The curriculum explores fine art techniques such as line work, perspective, shading, and composition. Students will develop their observational skills and artistic vocabulary, from line and form to understanding light, shadow and color theory. We explore a variety of mediums including graphite, charcoal, oil pastels, watercolor paint and ink. With a focus on fostering creativity and confidence, this class provides a supportive environment where each child can discover their unique artistic voice and cultivate a lifelong passion for drawing. 

MEET THE TEACHER:

Ray Fontaine (she/her) is a visual artist and designer who helps young creatives build confidence and curiosity through drawing, illustration, and mixed media art. With a background in storytelling and design, her teaching approach encourages playful experimentation, close observation, and personal expression. Ray’s classes introduce foundational techniques while making space for each student’s imagination to lead the way—blending creative skill-building with opportunities to connect art to their everyday world. Through engaging projects and accessible materials, she helps kids develop a strong visual voice and a lasting love for making. Ray runs a local branding agency called Bywater Branding Services, studied Industrial Design at Pratt Institute, and previously taught Visual Communications as an adjunct professor at the Tulane School of Design.

Find your people at Art Camp 504's newest Teen Club, Improv Comedy!

Whether you are a natural jokester or just curious about trying something new, this class is designed to help students build confidence, sharpen their wit, and find their unique comedic voice—no experience required! Through engaging exercises and acting games, students will learn the essentials of comedic timing, improvisation, and stage presence—all while having an absolute blast! By the end of the course, you'll leave with a solid grasp of comedy fundamentals and the confidence to apply humor in any creative field. The semester culminates in a family performance at Big Couch Nola!

TROUPE GUIDELINES: Listen actively when others are performing, Wait your turn and respect the flow of the activity, Follow the rules of each game or exercise. Improv is all about collaboration. Students must be able to work respectfully and cooperatively with everyone in the troupe. 

This class is in partnership with Big Couch Nola. Class is held at Big Couch Theater, 1045 Desire St in the Bywater.

FINAL PERFORMANCE: Tuesday, May 5, 5:45 - 6:45pm

MEET THE INSTRUCTOR:

Mary Jacobs is a local comedian and Improv educator from New Orleans, Louisiana. She’s trained and taught across America, including and education from infamous Second City in Chicago. Her passion for educating youth in the comedic arts is no joke and believes comedy can connect us to our humanity and community in a deep (and silly) way. In addition to her experience as an educator she can be found across stages in New Orleans as a comedian, host, and MC. She is so looking forward to the opportunity to foster the next generation of jesters here in New Orleans. Mary currently works with Big Couch Nola - a creative incubator that produces standup & sketch comedy, theater productions, drag, film, music and more!

Family Music Class presented by Blue House Music and Art Camp 504 is an immersive music experience for infant, toddler and Pre-K age children along with their caregivers. The infant and toddler class focuses on early language development, especially phonemic sound, and gross motor development  from crawling and first steps to finger-walking and motoring around. The class teaches eye tracking, attention, and connection with the caregiver. Through singing, movement and instrument play children will experience rich learning in key developmental domains while caregivers gain powerful tools to communicate with their little ones. Blue House Music is an early learning program for children under five that empowers caregivers to actively participate in music making.

Class begins promptly at 4:30pm. Please arrive at 4:15 to get settled before class. We encourage families to play at Markey Park or visit Pizza Delicious after class ends! We love making new friends!

HOW TO JOIN FOR DROP IN DATES: We reserve two drop in spots per class. You must RSVP and pay via venmo to reserve your spot at least 24 hours in advance. Due to building capacity, we do not accept walk-ins without an RSVP. 

1. RSVP: Email bluehouseclasses@gmail.com to see if there are spots available for your chosen class
2. SUBMIT PAYMENT: Send payment $30 via venmo to @artcamp504 or cashapp $artcamp504

MEET THE TEACHER:

CHRISTOPHER “MR. CHRIS” SHEARD (he/him) is a music teacher and teaching artist with over fifteen years in the field of early childhood music. He has been certified in Music Together, Wolf Trap Early Learning Through the Arts and the Young Audiences National Teaching Artist Credential. He is the founder of Blue House Music, a direct-to-family early learning music program that serves children under five and their caregivers. He currently works as the lower school music teacher at The McGehee School for Girls and Little Gate. He is a Bywater resident, father of two, and is so excited to join the Art Camp 504 team!