Circus Artist Benjamin Domask-Ruh delighted the fourth grade students teaching them skills of the circus, including juggling and performance. His patient and kind ways helped them gain confidence and have fun.
Benjamin Domask-Ruh is a performing artist who combines the skill and technique of juggling with the theory and philosophy of clown to create a unique blend of circus and theatre. His residencies are exciting and full of energy! In Benjamin’s words, “We all have the ability to learn. I focus on each individual student’s strengths while identifying their areas of growth potential. I then utilize proper teaching methods acquired through studies in Circus, Theatre, Sports, Dance, and Psychology to best suit a student’s learning style. Sometimes all it takes is that little moment of understanding to create a big moment of growth.
Writer, John Lurie inspired and shared his stories to bring fiction to life. He is a master storyteller and shared stores of his own life. The eighth graders wrote stories of adventure Jon Lurie joined the COMPAS artists roster in 2008 following a two-decade stint as a print and radio journalist in Native American communities from Texas to Alaska. He also served as editor of The Anchorage Press and Rake Magazine. Lurie has received two Gold Awards for his long form journalism by the Minnesota Newspapers Association and the Minnesota Magazine and Publishers Association. His children’s books have been recognized by the American Librarians Association.
Ninth grade students learned the art of Spoken Word from writer, Frank Sentwali. Frank encourages students to dig deep into themselves and write with purpose. His performance and writings give students the confidence to share their stories with classmates. Select students from the writing residencies will be published in the COMPAS Anthology. Frank is a long time artist-in-residence at Roseau High School. Frank Sentwali is the creator of Edu-Poetic Enterbrainment, a Twin Cities’ spoken word and music ensemble. Frank has spent years in the education system as a tutor, teacher and mentor. He currently co-facilitates S.E.E.D. (Sentwali Entertainment Education Division), presenting programs in schools and community centers.
Ross Sutter returned to Roseau to sing and dance with the third graders at Roseau Elementary School. They were delighted to be pioneers and perform for the residents at LifeCare Roseau Manor. Ross Sutter is best known as a singer of Scandinavian, Scottish, and Irish songs, and for his wide repertoire of American traditional and popular songs. He accompanies himself on guitar, dulcimer, button accordion, and bodhran (the Irish goat-skin drum). He has performed at numerous venues throughout the region and beyond, from concert halls to libraries and schools, from outdoor festivals to senior centers. His music is featured on a variety of recordings including his popular children’s album, Mama Will You Buy Me A Banana. Ross is a long time artist at Roseau School!
Retired teacher, Elwyn Ruud shared and created art with the 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th grade classes. A special thank you to the Roseau Parent Teacher Organization and the Roseau School District for funding the residencies in grades 1, 2, 5, and 6 and to the PTO for providing the cash match for the Ross Sutter residency. Some residencies were arranged with COMPAS. These arts activities are made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Northwest Minnesota Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
Benjamin Domask-Ruh
Jon Lurie
Frank Sentwali
Ross Sutter
Credit Elwyn Ruud, Project Director