“Can I dance?” a girl timidly asked Fonzy at the end of his assembly in Monticello, Utah, a town of just over a thousand people. “OF COURSE!” he replied without hesitation. She began to dance, and soon, others joined in, turning the moment into a full-on dance party. This is the kind of joy, confidence, and sense of community that Fonzy and the other POPS mentors are bringing to students across Utah.
“Not everyone gets a chance to take classes in the Spy Hop building,” says Fonzy. “Our POPS team gives kids the chance to have the magic of Spy Hop where they are.”
While other Spy Hop mentors have weeks or months to make a lasting impression on their students, Fonzy often has only an hour. Because of this, he thinks of himself as an entertainer first, like a rock star. “I show up in some random town with a van full of gear. I get out and everyone is stoked and has a good time. Art brings people together and the importance spans across any age group.”
Fonzy’s own experience as a Spy Hop student has influenced his approach to mentorship. He easily relates to and understands the mindset of reluctant students and has the ability to unlock their passion for the arts for the first time. His favorite thing to teach is beatmaking because it’s a really fast way to get the kids making music. When they leave the classroom, he always tells them “you’re a producer now.” He takes pride in knowing he’s given them more than a new skill, but a new identity they get to carry with them.
Unlocking Artists Across Utah
Every year, Spy Hop’s teaching artists travel across the state, inspiring students and teachers with our one-of-a-kind, impactful digital arts curriculum. The Professional Outreach Program in Schools (POPS), managed by the Utah State Board of Education and sponsored by the Utah State Legislature, makes it possible for Spy Hop to extend our geographic area to youth unable to travel to our Salt Lake City facility.
From hour-long assemblies, to week-long intensives, our artists engage students across the state in fun and immersive activities teaching them everything from storytelling to beatmaking to game design. At the same time, students are learning crucial skills important for college and career readiness, such as collaboration and creative thinking.
Interested in having Fonzy come to your school? Email nicole@spyhop.org.