ERIN BREGMAN | MUSIC-DRIVEN STORY ARTIST

Turning Student Ideas into Original Songs and Scenes

Erin Bregman brings music-centered storytelling into the classroom, guiding students through the process of creating original songs and scenes from scratch. A playwright, librettist, and classical guitarist, Erin has led over 100 groups of students of all ages through collaborative story-making and performance. With more than 15 years of experience in arts education settings, Erin blends music and theater games with lyric writing, melody creation, and ensemble collaboration. Her projects are flexible, inclusive, and designed for classrooms of all sizes — making them an ideal fit for public schools seeking engaging, student-centered music experiences.

GRADE LEVELS

Pairs well with Grades K–8 (elementary and middle school) and adaptable for high school, including music classes, drama clubs, and after-school programs.

ART FORMS

Music • Songwriting • Theatre • Playwriting • Collaborative Storytelling

ARTS INTEGRATION & CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Erin’s programs support Washington State Learning Standards by integrating music and theatre with other core subjects:

Music: Students compose melodies, explore rhythm and song structure, and connect musical choices to storytelling and emotional expression.

English Language Arts (ELA): Narrative writing, lyric development, oral presentation, and collaborative discussion (ELA: W, SL).

Theatre & Performing Arts: Character development, story structure, dramatic expression, and ensemble performance through staged readings and sharing.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Collaboration, creative risk-taking, empathy, and confidence-building through group creation and performance.

PAIRS WELL WITH

Creative writing and storytelling units
Language arts and literacy development
Music and theatre curriculum
Social studies and history themes
School-wide creative showcases or assemblies

WHY TEACHERS CHOOSE ERIN

Music-first approach that engages a wide range of learners
Flexible structure fits single sessions or multi-day residencies
Builds confidence through collaboration and shared creation
Adaptable to any curriculum or subject area
Encourages joyful participation across learning styles and abilities

ERIN BREGMAN'S PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

Story & Song Studio

Students begin with a blank page and work together to create an original story told through song. Using music and theater games, students develop characters and plot, write lyrics, compose melodies, and rehearse their work to share with classmates, friends, or family. Depending on the length of the residency, the final piece may be a single chorus or a short, multi-song performance.
Minimum: 1 class period.

Playwriting Lab

Through theater games and short script readings, students explore the fundamentals of dramatic storytelling with music as a creative entry point. The class selects a unifying theme—such as a character, event, or emotion—and students write original short scenes, which are shared through dramatic readings to highlight how text and performance work together.
Minimum: 1 class period.