Rhythm Explosion 2010

The goal of this workshop is to bring together tap and jazz dancers with jazz bassists, vocalists and drummers. In this unique setting our intention is to get to the bottom of this thing called "swing" and explore how it connects dancers and musicians. Students will be working intensively on individual technique as well as collaborative and compositional skills. As well, you will have the opportunity to try out the other dance and music forms being offered. We will be creating a short performance piece incorporating music and dance, with the workshop culminating in a performance by participants and instructors. These will be long, challenging, interactive days - and great fun!

The following descriptions by each of the instructors are provided in order to give you insight into how they approach their classes and what might be included.

“My tap classes explore full-bodied rhythm-making and provide the opportunity for dancers to reexamine alignment, breath and motivation in order to refine their approach to swing by producing dynamic syncopated musical phrases and sparkling taps.”

Jump Rhythm TechniqueTM is a rhythm-first system of dance training. The emphasis is on full-bodied rhythm-making -- transforming the dancing body, accompanied by the scat-singing voice, into a rhythm-accurate, energy-charged percussion instrument. Jump Rhythm focuses on using jazz-based rhythms to express one's inside-felt energies through the four primary "drumbeaters" of the body -- the hands, head, and voice. Further, the technique guides the student to work holistically. The alignment work in Jump Rhythm Technique is based on the movement re-training approach of ideokinesis, which promotes efficient, injury-free musculo-skeletal functioning.

"Whether in tap shoes or jazz shoes, no shoes or snow shoes, the foot-music-body connection has the potential to spark an energy that sings from soul to sole. In these classes students will be challenged in working with this energy to develop a fine-tuned technique, a connection to the ground, an open ear and willingness to explore with a playful spirit.”

“The bass is an amazingly versatile instrument. It is the foundation of the rhythm section, yet it can also be melodic and incredibly interactive. This workshop is a rare opportunity for bassists to interact with drums and dancers as both a time keeper and melodic voice. Steeped in the jazz tradition, we'll be focusing on critical listening, developing a pocket, and role transitions. Be ready to do a lot of playing.”

“Playing jazz music on the drum set is more than just playing a beat. Great sound production and efficient technique can dramatically facilitate groove and creativity. These workshops will focus on using fundamentals to liberate your musical voice. In addition, you will experience the intimate connection between the bass and the drum set in the swing tradition. Critical listening, developing a pocket, and musical interaction will be addressed in a "real world" performing experience with a world-class bassist!”

August 12 – 15 – “Moving the Melodies” Retreat

for Pianists, Saxophonists, Percussionists, Tap and Contemporary Dancers

The goal of this workshop is to bring together contemporary and tap dancers with sax, percussionists and piano players. In this unique setting students will work in a very intensive and interactive, finding both the melodic side of movement and tap, as well as the movement within the music. Students will be working intensively on individual technique as well as collaborative and compositional skills. As well, you will have the opportunity to try out the other dance and music forms being offered. We will be creating a short performance piece incorporating music and dance, with the workshop culminating in a performance by participants and instructors. These will be long, challenging, interactive days - and great fun!

The following statements from each of the instructors are provided in order to give you insight into how they approach their classes and what might be included.

"I teach a full-bodied movement and partnering class focusing on communication through touch and shared space, as well as understanding the subtle impulses in our individual movement choices and the direction these impulses shape our partners choices. The classes will also explore commitment as an approach to finding our prescence in the space, and with our partner, while supporting and following the lead of each movement . Yoga classes encourages deeper breathing, basic asanas that lengthen and create more space within our bodies, and a meditation to calm the mind and open creativity.“

"For some time now I have been experimenting with the many intersections of music and dance, and the use of the whole body as an instrument with which music can be communicated. In classes and in my choreography, I encourage the development of an organic, fine- tuned technique - grounded, released and open. Accessing one's playful spirit and inter-acting with the music, dancers and space around us is key.”

“My teaching will focus on saxophone technique, musical improvisation and theory, listening, watching, interacting, inspiring and being inspired by others.”

"Afro-Cuban/Brazilian Drumming and Song -Really being an Afro-Cuban/Brazilian percussionist at heart, I always enjoy studying and teaching these two musical traditions. I will be teaching the music and song from both the religious and the secular.”

"I work with each pianist beginning from where they are. While introducing certain theoretical and technical aspects relevant to improvisation and collaboration with dancers, my main objective is to assist the pianist in creating a space -- both for her/himself and for her/his collaborators -- in which each person feels encouraged to surrender as much as possible to whatever is happening in the present moment. And this always includes stepping into the unknown!"