On Feb. 5-6, Moore County students were treated to shadow puppetry in "Tales of Light: Native American Stories" by Hobey Ford and His Golden Rod Puppets at Aberdeen Primary, Southern Pines Elementary, Pinehurst Elementary, and Carthage Elementary.

Internationally award-winning performer, Kennedy Center Partner in Education teaching artist, recognized master puppeteer, and Asheville resident, Ford often adapts folk cultures and tales from various countries for his performances, always adding a special "Golden Rod" twist.

Ford shines the spotlight on three Native American tales teaching about light and life. The native people told numerous stories about fire and the sun to teach not only about light and warmth but to shine a light on many life lessons.

On Feb. 14, Scott Ainslie performed at Crain's Creek Middle School and Union Pines High School. Peppered with humor and stories, Ainslie's teaching concerts help students and teachers learn to listen for the musical building blocks that continue to influence the music they hear all around them today.

Playing fretless gourd banjo, one-string diddley bow, acoustic and slide guitars with interactive call and response singing and syncopated hand-clapping, Ainslie led a fast-moving tour of early spirituals, work songs, East Coast ragtime, and Delta blues that encouraged audience participation.

On Feb. 21, Southern Pines Primary was treated to "African Folktales" by Bright Star Theatre. Later in the day, Bright Star Theatre performed "Frederick Douglass" for Southern Middle School and West Pine Middle School. Performances were followed by a question and answer session with the students.

Asheville-based Bright Star Touring Theatre serves more than 650 audiences annually with a variety of programs.

Every year they give more than 850 performances in 23 states in a host of venues, from schools and libraries to museums and community events.

They have earned a national reputation for high quality performances that play to a young audience's intelligence and meet National Standards of learning. Their programs are as educational as they are entertaining!

As a partnership between Moore County Schools and the Arts Council of Moore County, PAMS' goal is to give every child in a Moore County school at least one positive experience per school year with a professional performing artist or company.

The PAMS Program is supported in part by funds from the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, and the Moore County Unrestricted Endowment Fund, a component of the North Carolina Community Foundation.