Name: Melissa Larkin

Description:

Melissa Larkin is a recording artist and alternative arts educator specializing in teaching songwriting to Grades 7-12. Larkin performs as a solo songwriter and is the front woman of the electro-hip hop act DARKLARK. In 2012, she completed the Learning Through the Arts program in 2012 to become an accredited arts educator.

With her collaborator D'Ari Pouyat, Melissa co-founded DARKSPARK, an alternative arts education program that teaches curriculum through songwriting, visual art, and multi-media. DARKSPARK conducts in-class programs in Ontario and BC schools as well as offering summer programs and community workshops, where students have the opportunity to write and record songs inspired by a particular subject or issue. DARKSPARK has worked with First Nations youth at the Quinte Mohawk School to write songs about their history, and takes a multi-disciplinary approach that is attuned to the needs of different learners.

Melissa prefers to work with middle school and high school students.