Worlds
of Music Toronto
Announces
Global Music Workshops
for Spring 2004
Toronto, January 20,
2004… Worlds of Music Toronto is pleased to announce its Spring 2004
workshop series, beginning January 27. For more information, go to www.worldsofmusic.ca
or call 416-588-8813.
Worlds of Music Toronto is dedicated to uniting teachers and performers
from diverse cultural backgrounds with students interested in expanding
their musical knowledge. Now in its ninth season of cross-cultural music
education, the non-profit corporation has taught hundreds of students the
joy of exploring other cultures. Instructors are all dedicated teachers
and performers with years of experience in their traditions. Musical
training is not required - just enthusiasm!
Spring Session begins on January 27, 2004 and runs for 10 weeks of 2-hour
workshops. Registration fee: $180 and $100 for U of T students.
Drumming, Rhythm &
Dance
Ghanaian Drumming with
Kwasi Dunyo
Saturdays, 12:30-2:30
(Starts Jan. 31), UofT Faculty of Music, 80 Queens Park
Master drummer Kwasi
Dunyo is renowned for spreading the joy of rhythm to his students. He has
taught at universities in the US and Canada and has performed throughout
the world. In these workshops
designed for students of all levels, participants experience the power of
multi-part West African ensemble drumming. Drums are available for rent or
purchase.
Latin American Rhythms
with Rodrigo Chavez
Saturdays, 3:00-5:00
(Starts Jan. 31), Ballet Creole, 375 Dovercourt Rd.
Drawing on oral
traditions and techniques of Afro-Latin music and native instruments, this
workshop offers an opening into one of the most appealing areas of world
music. Students play, develop listening skills and learn to master the
fascinating Afro-Latin rhythms with one of the city's most in-demand
players.
Arabic Rhythm &
Bellydance with Roula Said
Tuesdays, 7:00-9:00
(Starts Feb 3), Ballet Creole, 375 Dovercourt Rd.
Learn the fundamental
movements of belly dancing along with the basic rhythms of Egyptian dance
music. The workshop will
include a break-down of the basic belly dance grooves (played on hand
percussion as well as finger cymbals), to be followed by a dance class
where students move to the rhythms they have learned and then finally put
all choreography together in a short piece. (No previous experience is
required.)
Ensemble Workshops
Cuban Music Ensemble with
Luis Mario Ochoa
Sundays, 3:00-5:00
(Starts Feb. 1), Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, U of T campus
The sexy and ever-popular
sounds of Cuba taught by one of Toronto's finest. Founding member of
Cimarron and long-time teacher, Luis Mario will immerse you in the culture
through rhythm and song. Ideal for players of piano, guitar, bass,
percussion, sax, trumpet, trombone.
Klezmer Music Ensemble
with Martin Van de Ven
Tuesdays, 7:30-9:30
(Starts Jan. 27), Miles Nadal JCC, 750 Spadina Ave.
An introduction to the
secrets of playing klezmer music. Participants practice playing basic
dance rhythms, ornament melodies in the Jewish style and learn some of the
great melodies of this repertoire. Through a combination of playing by
ear, sheet music and sound recordings, learners develop ensemble-playing
skills and improve their technique over time.
Roma (Gypsy) Band with
David Buchbinder
Sundays, 12:00-2:00
(Starts Feb. 1), Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, U of T campus
From the Balkans comes
music of celebration, with exhilarating tempos and deep grooves played on
drums and low brass, and melodies played on trumpet, saxophone and
clarinet. Trumpeter and composer David Buchbinder founded Canada's first
Balkan brass band and for this workshop he teaches the elements of the
style to experienced musicians. Players of brass and reed instruments,
percussion and accordion will learn through the arrangements of both
traditional music and original compositions played by his ensemble.
Instrumental
Celtic-Canadian
Fiddling (Beginner & Advanced) with
Anne Lederman
Thursdays, 6:30-8:00 /
8:00-9:30 (Starts Jan. 29), Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, U of T campus
Canadian folk fiddling
traces its roots back to the early years of our country's history in this
workshop. Beginner participants need only a violin and desire to learn by
ear. Advanced students learn
techniques and repertoire drawn from Newfoundland to the Yukon.
Greek Bouzouki with
Kostas Apostolakis
Saturdays, 12:00-2:00
(Starts Jan. 31), Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, U of T campus
A fixture at Christina's
Restaurant in the heart of Toronto's Greektown, Kostas has developed his
own intuitive method for passing on his skills and love of the bouzouki.
Failure is not an option in his classroom. As a new student of bouzouki,
you too will witness the techniques that have made him a superb player and
respected instructor.
Vocals and Music
Indian Music with
Gauri Guha
Saturdays, 3:00-5:00
(Starts Jan. 31), Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, U of T campus
An exploration of the
ancient traditions of Indian music through the voice as taught to
instrumentalists and singers in India. Students will develop vocal and
practice techniques, learn historical and theoretical aspects of Indian
classical music, the Indian rhythm system and music appreciation. For all
instrumentalists and singers.
Songs of the Caucasus with
Andrea Kuzmich
Fridays, 7:00-9:00
(Starts Jan. 30), Hart House, 7 Hart House Circle, U of T campus
Andrea is a long time
member of Darbazi, Canada's premier Georgian choir. Participants will
explore the amazing polyphonic songs from Sarkartvelo (Georgia to
Westerners), where the spirit of the song resonates from the exquisite
harmony. Ethnomusicologists agree that Georgian choral music is some of
the world's most sophisticated and this workshop offers the opportunity to
explore a wide variety of these songs and stirring ancient harmonies.
