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"In Memory of John Parker" This image captured by his lense and spirit... Rest in Peace... the Olans
Ray Olan finished his 11th season as " Mr Ray's Musical Theater " Musical Theater director @ DFAC's since 2001. “It’s was a great time to focus attention on youth musical theater/drama ,dance and song education and the contributions of kids of all heritages in Dunedin Florida.” he said. Olan, who is known as “Mr. Ray,” was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Brooklyn, through his sisters. Theater Majors themselves, grew up on Broadway stages in New York City, trained/by the best on that era.
Promoting multi-cultural understanding are important to Olan, whose first project in Safety Harbor was to create a multi-cultural musical theater program for children back in 1999. He then found his way to Dunedin and established Mr Ray's Musical Theater @ DFAC, 11 seasons later it has come to a close..
“Mr. Ray’s Musical Theater created an environment for training, which is based on trust, mutual respect and passion,” he said. “We believe that it is from within this environment that students will be secure enough to take huge creative risks. In addition, I believe that the individual performer learns best from within the group, and that the theatre ensemble grows from the pro-active input of every individual.”
Olan began his musical journey when he was 11 years old, playing guitar with a Latin Rock band called the “Young Lads.” He said he was inspired by his father, who played with musical trios including Los Sancez and Daniel Santos. “They were the first Guaracha bands (trios) I ever heard,” he said.
After moving to New York, Olan chaperoned his older sisters to Latin dances. “I was band boy for groups like Eddie & Charlie Palmeri, Tito Puente, Ray Barretto and Richie Ray.”
He learned to play Latin piano — salsa music — and at age 15 formed his first band, “Ray Olan y su Sason,” which he said was known as “that Salsa Hippie band.” The band got a record deal with Alegre Records, a division of Roulette Records.
“We were playing the New York area, but with a twist,” Olan said. “I brought in great rock guitar players to play the funky guitar solos along with the two trombones that were the signature of my band. It was fusion salsa rock in its infant stage — little did Santana know!”
He attended Hofstra University in Long Island, NYU with studies in Musical Theater, but was focused on his music influences and Latin roots. He returned to Puerto Rico and studied in the University of Puerto Rico’s dramatic arts program, “Libertad” as a musical theater director.
“I have traveled across the globe and met adults and their families living in remarkably different communities yet as I travel, it is not the differences that strike me, but rather the magnificent similarities that make us all very much alike,” he said. “We all have curiosity, fears, hopes and dreams as well as an extraordinary gift to open our hearts to each other."
I was saddened at the end of a wonderful run for all my students, I will be updating this website and keep you all informed as to where the next location will be.
www.mrraysmusicaltheater.com
List of Programs available 2010 Season
Mr. Ray's Musical Theater TM
Attention Principals, PTA's, Multicultural
Coordinators, Media Specialist
The Multicultural Educational Arts Team.( M.E.A.T)presents... Mr. Ray's Musical Theater.
We are one of the largest providers of LIVE educational and theatrical presentations to
schools in the Southeast. We help you by presenting important subjects in an entertaining
and memorable fashion, right in your school our programs help you satisfy state mandates.
The following are a list of programs that are offered by the Multicultural Educational Arts Team Inc.
All programs vary in content and duration...
Aborigine Folklore Dance
Program Description
Take your student on a magical, musical adventure to the lively Islands of the Caribbean.
Discover the cultural origins of rhythm and dance as you hop from island to island. Celebrate the
lands geographical splendor and recognized the similarities and differences of its melting pot cultures.
African, Latin American, and Aborigine musical influences blend and bubble up in a rich brew. Musical Legends
come along for this tour that students will never forget.
Contact Ray Olan at 727 744 1569
for more information.
Multicultural Educational Arts Teams
Mr. Ray's Musical Theater
Performing Arts Programs:
Recycle Art
There is no machinery at Ms. Maria's recycle factory, and smokestacks don't pollute the air. Instead, we teach children and
their caregivers creative ways to recycle by making art. Recycling is one way to minimize or lessen the amount of trash we
have to throw away. When we recycle, we make a new product out of waste materials. This process helps save natural resources
like trees as well as landfill space and the money needed to get rid of trash. Students will work on their original work for an Art Exhibit
at the end of the course.
Guitar for Beginners
Introduction to Guitar covers: tuning, basic chord Structures, fingering, and ear training .If you are interested in learning how to play, you will
need these basic classes and your own guitar. My mission is to guide every student not only in understanding music but also to understand the
importance of what music is truly about. What is music truly about? I believe that every musical individual striving to improve their playing abilities
has inside them a unique musical song. I will guide each student in understanding what their unique song is as well as how to create and apply
what is happening within their musical mind!
"Dancing in the Wind"
Latin Folklore Dance
Maria Olan, Folklore dance instructor Warner Bros. International HBO, Latin America leads you through this class study of Indigenes
Tribal dances dating back to the 16th century. These classes will give you new insight on the origins of dance. Classes cover, Tambor dance,
Samba, Mambo, and other meditative and vibrant exercises from Latin American.
Voice Training for Beginners
Contemporary/ Opera / Jazz/Pop vocalists!
You will learn...
* Vocal warm-ups, how to warm up properly, putting no stress or strain on the singing voice.
* Technique, proper body position, correct placement to assure injury-free singing.
* Strengthening exercises that help expand your range and increase your control and endurance.
* Proper breathing technique and exercises that will give you more power and the ability to sustain notes longer and more clearly.
* Performance tips, good eye contact how to connect with your audience, singing with emotion, lyrical interpretation.
* Microphone technique
* Vocal health care - Keep your chords in top shape! Nutritional secrets and other helpful advice.
Adult Spanish Language Classes
Our Learning Spanish through Music program is one of the best ways to get into and retain the language. Your adult bilingual instructor will go step by step a fun most
effective and entertaining way to learn this second language. All levels welcome, Beginners to Intensive/Corporate - Professionals. Unique Method: Our courses teach
you, in the shortest possible time, to understand & speak the essential elements of your new language. Forget memorizing vocabulary lists, grammar rules, or written homework.
In each lesson, you will be conversing with two native Spanish speakers guiding you along in English. You'll soon learn to speak, understand,
Mr. Ray's Musical Theater
Currently still updating new programs list.
Summer 2011 Musical Theater Coming Soon!!!!
Musical Theater Reunion 2011 Soon...
From the desk of…Mr. Ray, Please contact
for Advanced and Masters information...
Current Shows: Fall Reunion Season Starts 11/9/11
see www.facebook.com/mrraysmusicaltheater.com
Mr Ray's Musical Theater...
Ray Olan: Multicultural Educational Theater Arts Education Dept: Mr. Ray's Musical Theater ™
Also seefor pictures of Art and other programs for your children.
"I have traveled across the globe and met children and their families living in remarkably different communities yet as I travel, it is not the differences that strike me, but rather the magnificent similarities that make us all very much alike. We all have curiosity, fears, hopes, and dreams – as well as an extraordinary gift to open our hearts to each other." … Ray Olan
I have an extensive background in the fine arts education and marketing , entertainment, theater performance live music, dance and television production for Warner Bros. International Television.(the Warner Channel)
Referencees available.
Mr. Ray's MUSICAL THEATER
Mr. Ray's Musical Theater... exposes students ages 6 - 18 to music, dance, drama, stage technology, literature, history and multicultural appreciation in a fun and educational environment. Working with "Scenes from Broadway Musicals tm" , upper aged students will be performing skits and participating in various scenes with the younger children. All ages will be performing a variety of songs and dances from different musicals which culminate into a production for the parents.
Returns 2012 Season
This Summer Season Mr Ray will not be @ The DFAC Center... See the 2012 Season next yr for his new location.
Ray Olan has been producing, directing, instructing and performing educational and entertaining shows for many years. Mr. Ray, as he is known, has produced children's and teen programs in Pinellas County for over 20 years. His background as an educator, pianist, producer, and musical theater director for television and film make him the perfect choice for your child's musical theater experience.
Age appropriate classes are being offered to allow children to explore historical musical styles, music theory, and the elements of music (melody, rhythm, form and tone color) through a variety of vocal, instrumental, rhythmic and creative listening activities. Mr. Ray and his team of competent instructors will create an environment for musical theater training based on trust, mutual respect and passion for the arts.
Objectives of the program:
1. To help students develop an understanding and appreciation for another art form.
2. To explore the evolution of this form from its beginnings to the present.
3. To become acquainted with some of the literary sources of musicals.
4. To analyze musical selections from a sampling of productions.
5. To further develop vocal and listening skills.
6. To reinforce the knowledge of the elements of music.
7. To make connections with other arts and academic areas.
8. To help students understand how story, dance, and music become the integral parts of musical theater.
Real actors…real dancers and real singers…MUSICAL THEATER!Mini-Musical Theater (Ages 4 - 6) Thursdays: 3:30 to 4:30 PM the little ones will learn song and performance techniques with the same exuberance and fearlessness as their older counterparts! Your cast members will blossom and delight in this dynamic forum for budding stars. Hosted By Mr. Ray & Ms. Maria
(Minimum 10 cast members per class)
Masters Musical Theater (Ages 7 to 12)
These classes are filled with fun, dramatics, song & dance and theatrical performances. Learn to become a real actor/actresses dancer and musical performer while at the same time practicing the techniques of concentration, characterization, projection, articulation, dance movement, make-up, and costume. The student performers culminate their study in the presentation of a theater performance.
727 744 1569
REGISTRATION ARE LIMITED SO SIGN UP NOW!
Pictures tell the story…see the fun and sign up
“This bilingual program is a powerful way to integrate
Latin American Culture into your school’s curriculum”.
Program Description: Ray & Maria Olan Music & Dance Instructors have been performing this series of Multicultural Dance Programs throughout the Florida school system this year. Cinco De Mayo has gotten rave revues for its discovery of Historical, Geographical, and Cultural music and dance celebration your students will be talking about for years to come. With discussions on the sights, sounds and flavors of the holiday’s. Respect, Family Dances for Character Development and totally Interactive. Teachers and students will love dressing up and dancing all of the customary holiday music of Latin America. With Mr. Ray at the keyboards popular legends come to life with / Music / and Dance of the times, costumes, a very large backdrop that set the tone for this exciting celebration. Call us and we will prepare a program that fits your curriculum… even a Spanish food festival… Cinco De Mayo
Appropriate Grades: Pre – K, Elementary, Middle, and High School Versions Available
Pre and Post Materials Provided: Reference List, Glossary, Lessons, and Quiz. Facility Requirements: Multi-Purpose Room with Electrical Outlet, Minimum 9’ Ceilings Reserving your in-school field trip is easy!
Just call our Program Consultant (727) 744 1569 with your date and program requests.
"Dancing in the Wind"
An Aborigine Folklore Dance
Program Description
Take your student on a magical, musical adventure to the lively Islands of the Caribbean. Discover the cultural origins of rhythm and dance as you hop from island to island. Celebrate the lands geographical splendor and recognized the similarities and differences of its melting pot cultures. African, Latin American, and Aborigine musical influences blend and bubble up in a rich brew. Musical Legends come along for this tour that students will never forget.
For more information contact The Multicultural Educational Arts Team. Ray Olan at 727 744 1569 or ( M.E.A.T) We are one of the largest providers of LIVE educational presentations to schools in the Southeast. We help you by presenting important subjects in an entertaining and memorable fashion, this field trip comes to you. Our programs help you satisfy your state Educational mandates.
