El Roble Intermediate School alumnus Daniel Slosberg is using his performing talents to make an impact on the present generation of Claremont's junior high students. 

Playing the role of Pierre Cruzatte, the fiddling entertainer brought the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition to life for El Roble 8^th graders through storytelling, music and dance last Thursday and Friday.

“All of the stories are true and come from the journals of the expedition and it's especially fun to do it here because I went to school here,” said Mr. Slosberg, who attended El Roble during the 1970s. 

Using a deep French accent to go along with 17^th century attire, Mr. Slosberg entertained students for 40 minutes with a high-energy, interactive program. A violin, Jew's harp and cow bones were a sampling of the instruments used during the musical portions of the show. Several students were invited to the stage to play wooden spoons and tambourines while the audience at-large was encouraged to sing along and clap to tunes such as “Soldier's Joy,” “Yankee Doodle” and “Shake That Little Foot.” 

The event comes to the school because of the support by the Curtain Raisers of the Claremont Colleges. The 45-year old nonprofit organization underwrites the program for the junior high school and nurtures a variety of performing arts events at the Claremont Colleges and in the community. 

“We're very thankful for the Curtain Raisers and the way they have provided support for us,” said El Roble Assistant Principal Steven Patterson. (story continues below)

COURIER photo/Gabriel Fenoy

El Roble students clap along last week to the music of Daniel Slosberg during an entertaining lesson about the Lewis and Clark expedition. Mr. Slosberg played several traditional 18th and 19th century instruments in the role of Pierre Cruzatte.

The inspiration for Pierre Cruzatte came about when Mr. Slosberg was watching Ken Burn's Lewis and Clark documentary on PBS in 1997. When he discovered there was a fiddler player who accompanied the explorers, the performer went on to learn everything he could about Mr. Cruzatte and the significance of music, song and dance on the voyage.

Last week marked the 5^th year Mr. Slosberg has performed the show. The musician showcases the act throughout the country but said performing in the junior high school's multipurpose room provides a unique experience.

“At first it was strange because I was thinking that this is where we used to have school dances,” Mr. Slosberg recalled. “But now I don't think about it anymore. It's just good to come back.”

In between songs, Mr. Slosberg narrated the major events of the expedition from the perspective of Mr. Cruzatte—a half French, half Omaha Indian Missouri River boatman. According to 8^th grader Sarah Schroerlucke, the show was effective in giving students an idea of what life was like during the expedition they had recently read about in their U.S. History classes.

“It was amazing that he [Mr. Slosberg] learned how to play all those instruments and I really liked the way he interacted with students,” Sarah said. “When he was talking about shooting the captain in the butt, it was funny because we had learned that in class.”

One of the highlights for students was the “BOING!” effect from the Jew's harp. Mr. Slosberg explained how to get different notes from the mini-instrument during the show and the item was a popular subject of inquiry when the program ended.

“The Jew's harp stood out as my favorite part of the show,” said 8^th grader Joyce Kim. “Overall, I'd have to say it was an interesting and fun one man show that was weird but cool.”

While Mr. Slosberg continues to schedule dates to perform Pierre Cruzatte, the former El Roble student is currently working on a new production on the War of 1812. Apart from his one-man endeavors, the entertainer has played with the Turtle Creek contra dance band for 19 years and was once a member of the Aman Folk Ensemble.

“It's pretty cool that he's been here before [as a student] and now he is coming back to teach us,” said 8^th grader Karen Parga. “I thought he was pretty good.”