Brien Engel

Are you looking for:

• A fabulous program to demonstrate Sound Physics, aligned with GA Standards of Excellence?
• A fabulous showcase of improvised musical instruments to inspire builders?
• A magical (and very rare) art form to enthrall students and teachers?

Brien Engel provides k-12 performances with the captivating Glass Harp, demonstrating sound physics to correlate with units taught in classrooms. In addition to presenting a unique art form, the performance features even more improvised musical instruments, reviews World and American history, includes audience participation... and inspires students to build cool stuff! 

Brien also offers his Sound Forest Residency, for up to three classes per day. In the Residency, each student builds their own musical instrument or sound effect, developing it as a single sound “critter” and in a wider role, in a community Sound Forest. 

Students explore methods of sound creation, the physics of vibration, and sound waves, all aligned with GA educational standards. The lesson plan also includes tips for STEAM journaling and other assessment tools. The residency culminates in audio recordings of the classes, showcasing each individual instrument, and then soundscapes of all, communicating in the forest together. 

Brien’s Wave Machine Workshop provides an enthralling way to see waves in action, and a wonderful building project for students! With proper care, the wave machine will last for years. Students build a device to illustrate the movement of a sound wave through the air. The wave machine also shows vibration in musical instruments, illustrating how wavelengths shorten or lengthen depending on the size and type of instruments.

Brien’s new Arts-in-Education page can be found here: https://www.glassharp.org/performance-menu/k-12-performances.html

Here is a link to a documentary Brien produced, all about the Glass Harp and other musical oddities: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOa-l3S093A

Disciplines: Music

Grade Levels: K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12, Professional Development

Core Curriculum: Social Studies, Science

GCA STEAM Certified

The GCA STEAM-Ready Designation is a partnership with Georgia Department of Education that launched the first-ever Teaching Artist STEAM Ready Designation training course, preparing teaching artists, arts providers, and community partners with high-quality STEAM training and a new designation through the Georgia Council for the Arts. This training took place in 2024, and the designation is valid through 2027.