Brett is a professional entertainer, motivator, dancer and DJ rolled into one, compact package. He has been dancing for about 21 years now and specializes in step and yo-yo dancing. Brett danced all the way through high school, competing in major dance competitions around the country and then graduated from UMass, Amherst with a degree in Communication in 1998. Directly out of college he got picked up by Yomega Corporation, a yo-yo company based out of Fall River, MA. and became a touring yo-yo professional. During that time, he taught dance (part-time) and auditioned for the Boston run of STOMP, making it to the third and final call back! After 5 years of touring and performing for the yo-yo company, Brett decided to start his own entertainment company called Ninepoints Entertainment. He spends the academic year traveling to different schools in the New England area speaking to students on topics ranging from positive life choices to academic excellence. Also during that time, Brett visits corporations speaking on the importance of fun in the workplace and why it's important to re-capture the wonders of imagination before it's too late. As a bit of a side-job and hobby, Brett DJs parties of all types. Brett offers school assembly programs that will fit your school's needs. His shows consist both of educational content (fitting state curriculum standards) AND fill in the grey areas surrounding morals and "social assets" that kids often don't get enough exposure to. He uses yo-yos, music, creative movement, audience participation and enthusiasm as the vehicles to capture his audience and more importantly, get the content across to the kids in a manner they will enjoy and remember for years to come.

• The "Positive Spin" program is a 60-minute performance for elementary school-aged children that empowers every student to turn negative situations into positive ones through the use of two simple words - "Spin it" The performance addresses issues that are important to elementary schoolers and affect them on a daily basis. "Ooch" discusses and offers the students tips and tricks relating to such issues as popularity, making and keeping friends, earning respect of teachers and peers, becoming comfortable in your own skin, bullying and dealing with failure. Through the use of his own personal stories and the help of music, magic, imagination, yo-yos and dance, Ooch puts a positive spin on the challenges of growing up.

• "Spinning Science Into Fun" is a 60-minute, curriculum-friendly performance that focuses on the physics behind spinning objects. Through the demonstration of familiar toys like yo-yos, spin tops, flying discs, a Diablo and more "Ooch" puts an entertaining spin on science.

• "Doing What You Love and Succeeding" is a 45-minute to one-hour show that empowers and motivates the audience on the importance of being uniquely you and doing what you love even if it isn't the norm. "Ooch" shares with the audience his story of becoming a professional yo-yo player and the choices he made to do what he loves to do and make a living out of it.

• "Finding Your Groove" is an hour-long, strongly interactive performance that starts kids on their way to "finding their own groove," literally! The show focuses on creative movement through hip-hop and also gets kids thinking about doing things simply for the fun of it rather than letting "coolness" get in the way.

• “The Yo-Yo ABCs” is a 45-minute to one-hour program focuses on skill building and self-esteem. Utilizing the yo-yo as a vehicle for the larger message, "Ooch" astonishes young and old alike with his skill, knowledge of the toy and his down-to-earth, matter-of-fact and sometimes goofy sense of humor.

• The "Build-A-Show" performance is a 45-60 minute assembly that gives your school a choice of topics to be covered in Ooch's performance. Often times schools are looking to relay a specific message to their students and are searching for an interesting and effective way to deliver it. Ooch fulfills this need by allowing schools to pick and choose topics specific to their goal(s). Ooch's shows always utilize storytelling, humor, music, movement, audience participation and yo-yos. The amount of each varies depending on subject matter.

WORKSHOPS:

 • Yo-Yo Workshop - The basic purpose of this program is to teach kids how to become proficient yo-yo players. Brett also focuses on the development of social assets such as goal setting, sharing knowledge with others, self-esteem and performance skills.

• Step Dancing/STOMP - Having gone through the audition process for the Broadway show STOMP, Brett has caught the STOMP "bug"! He shares a range of rhythms made by his hands and feet with his students, starting from easy exercises to advanced patterns. His students also learn the importance of working with each other AND listening to each other to create an environment of rhythm and fun! Each child leaves the step-dance workshop stomping and clapping their way to the day's next activity!

• Hip-Hop - Everyone listens to the radio, right? Everybody bounces in his or her own way to their favorite jams but not everyone is confident in their ability to dance. Whether you've danced before or not, Brett's hip-hop workshop is fun for everybody. The class is broken into two groups - the "girls" and the "boys". Let's face it, the girls need their own moves and the guys need their own moves. As a guy dancer, Brett understands firsthand the importance of individuality but at the same time, "safety in numbers" when learning how to dance.

• Yo-Yo Dancing - This is a unique workshop created and only offered by Brett. Don't worry, NO ONE NEEDS TO KNOW HOW TO USE A YO-YO to participate in this workshop. Brett handles the yo-yo part. All that's needed is concentration, memorization and a little rhythm.

• Ballroom Shenanigans - If you have ever seen "Mad Hot Ballroom" then you'll know the importance of learning how to ballroom dance at an early age. If you haven't seen it - see it. This workshop focuses on 2-3 forms of ballroom dancing, depending on time constraints and learning ability of the class. Aside from learning the basics of the Foxtrot, Swing and the Waltz, each student learns how to communicate and work with their partner in order to move smoothly around the dance floor. This workshop is designed to encourage laughs, camaraderie and a fun, learning environment.

• Tap Dancing - Brett's specialty is tap dancing. His tap workshop caters to the skill level of the group. Beginners can expect to learn up to 10 different steps and techniques per workshop. Intermediate and advanced students will learn technique as well as combinations, syncopations and fun choreography.

• Line Dancing - Okay, so his grandmother got him into line dancing. No biggie. These days, Brett loves to teach all sorts of line dances to his students. This workshop focuses on popular line dances such as the "Cotton Eyed Joe" and the "Cha Cha Slide" as well as country line dances like the "Boot Scootin' Boogie" and "Country Walkin'" to name just a couple!

OOCH Rocks! That's what all the kids are saying at my children's Elementary School. They had the pleasure of hearing Brett's Positive Spin program last month. Along with entertaining Yo-Yo tricks they all walked away with important life lessons that they will always remember. As the President of the Massachusetts PTA I have the opportunity to see countless student programs and I have to say Positive Spin is one of the best with long lasting results. Brett is collaborating with the Massachusetts PTA to help with our annual conference and our 100th Anniversary Celebration. We are lucky to have him working with us! His energy is infectious! I have even personally hired him to entertain my daughter and her friends at her 8th Birthday Party and he now has fans for life! Thanks Brett! I hope every child gets to someday experience your magic! Kim Hunt - President Massachusetts PTA

"Students love Brett (Ooch) Outchcunis! His warmth and great sense of humor create a rapport with kids of all ages. He is my students' favorite classroom guest, hands down. His yo-yo skills are top notch and having him visit is always a special treat!" Wandra Harmsen - 5th Grade Teacher Morse Pond School - Falmouth, MA