Fourth Graders Meet World-Renowned Dancer Lil Buck in Virtual Masterclass

Fourth graders in Mrs. Eve Whelchel's dance class have been studying the work of Charles "Lil Buck" Riley, a world-renowned and award-winning performing artist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the arts and humanities. From his collaboration with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on "The Dying Swan" to performing at the Super Bowl halftime show with Madonna, Buck has brought his signature style to stages around the world.

In Mrs. Whelchel's class, students studied Buck's diverse performances, created Venn diagrams to compare and contrast his work, and developed thoughtful questions about his artistry and career. Mrs. Whelchel sent their work to Buck through his website, and his agent reached out with surprising news: Buck was impressed and wanted to meet the students.

A Conversation with Lil Buck

On February 26, fourth graders participated in a virtual Zoom session with Lil Buck. They asked questions about his dance background, his business approach, and how he's built his career. Buck was generous with his time, and his answers reflected the core principles we value at Albany Academy.

The Power of Curiosity

This experience shows what can happen when students pursue their interests with diligence and when teachers like Mrs. Whelchel create opportunities for meaningful learning. We're proud of our fourth graders' commitment to this project and grateful to Lil Buck for inspiring them.

Explore Lil Buck's work:

The Dying Swan with Yo-Yo Ma

Lil Buck at Fondation Louis Vuitton