May LEAF 2013
Visiting Teaching Artist Residencies
Matuto Brazilian Folk Music -3 Days
Genre: Brazilian Music
Outreach Dates: May 8-10, 2013
Grade Focus: K-12
Format: Brazilian musical styles like Bossa Nova, Samba, and Choro have made huge impressions on the American musical landscape for decades, but there is much more to be gleaned from this culturally rich and dynamic country. The members of Matuto have spent decades mastering the folkloric styles of the Brazilian Northeast. In this class we’ll explore styles like forró, xoté, maracatu, and arrasta pé with an in-depth look at the rhythms, melodies, and cultural influences that make up this infectious and universally appealing dance music. Youth will learn songs, simple dance steps and percussion and perform on Saturday, 12:15 pm May 11, 12:15pm.
www.matutomusic.com
Cost: $800
Ben Sollee
Contemporary Strings – 3 days
Genre: Cello Driven Folk Americana
Outreach Dates: May 8-10, 2013
Grade Focus: 6-12
Format: 3-day interactive residency learning unique cello and string techniques with a contemporary master. The young cellist and singer-songwriter Ben Sollee is changing the way people think of the cello. While Ben has studied classically, receiving his degree from the University of Louisville in 2006, his soulful voice and style of playing reflect his deep connection to American Roots music. His cello playing is a unique alchemy of fiddling, percussive bow work, and three-finger style plucking. Ben has worked with Abigail Washburn and Bela Fleck in The Sparrow Quartet Ben, and toured and recorded with Otis Taylor. Youth will perform Saturday, May 11, 12:00pm.
Cost: $800
Lizz Wright
Traditional folk tales and songs - 3 days
Genre: Vocal Tradition
Outreach Dates: April 29-May 1, 2013
Grade Focus: K-12
Format: A unique three day residency with award winning singer and songwriter, Lizz Wright. "The interwoven histories of people, places, and events have been recorded and related over time, whether etched on cave walls, printed in text books or explained by professors. However, the real spirit or feeling (of various events and cultures) has been aptly preserved and delivered in the forms of stories and music. Music and the oral tradition together hold a unique ability to capture and awaken the emotional pulse of the common human soul. Along with the youth of LEAF Schools and Streets I am celebrating the collection of folk tales and congregational songs that my father taught me. I hope that the youth will recognize their opportunity to contribute their own stories to the ever-winding road of tradition, which must be continually paved by new hands." Youth will perform with Lizz and special guest, River Guerguerian on Sunday, May 12, 4:30pm.
Cost: $800
Talavya
Indian Classical Tabla and Dance – 2 DaysGenre: North Indian Rhythm , Tabla & Dance
Outreach Dates: May 9-10, 2013
Grade Focus: 7-12
Format: 2 day residency featuring young performers with Talavya as well as two in-house composers, Pandit Divyang Vakil and his son Rushi Vakil who is an Indian classical percussionist, keyboardist and world music composer, with over 35 years of teaching experience. Our objectives include sharing the beauty of Indian classical music around the world and promoting cross-cultural understanding not only through performance, but also education. Students will learn the language of Indian percussion vocalizations and traditional Indian Dances to perform Saturday May 11, 12:15 pm.
Cost: $800.
Green Grass Cloggers
Traditional Appalachian Cloggers - 3 days Genre: Dance
Outreach Dates: May 8-10, 2013
Grade Focus: 4th-12
Format: Two experienced instructors from the Green Grass Cloggers will work with your group of up to 15 students, teaching the basics of Appalachian Clogging to recorded old-time fiddle music. Students will be engaged with percussive steps and a simple, fun choreography to be performed at LEAF. Clogging is a dance from our region. It was created from a mix of traditions - Native American, Irish, Scottish, and African. To learn clogging is to learn a skill for life. It is aerobic, rhythmic, and joyful. Two different schools will practice these selections and dance together in a culminating performance with the Green Grass Cloggers Sunday, May 12, 10:45am.
Cost: $800.
Milt Crotts & The Blue Ridge Orchestra
Genre: Classical
Outreach Dates: May 1-10
Grade Focus: 3-5
Format: Be part of a Children's Choir formed by elementary 3-5 grade students who will rehearse at least 5 - 7 times (45 - 55 minutes) with Music Director Dr. Milton Crotts along with additional musicians from the Blue Ridge Orchestra. This Choir will prepare several selections from the symphonic repertory such as the “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven's Ninth Symphony,” Dona Nobis Pacem”, excerpt of Pachebel's Canon, and other classic selections. Two different schools will practice these selections and sing together in a culminating performance with the full Blue Ridge Orchestra Saturday, May 11, 4:30pm.
Cost: $1200.
Secret Agent 23 Skidoo
Singing & Performing - 3 Days
Genre: Rockin’ Kid-Hop
Outreach Dates: May 8-10, 2013
Grade Focus: K-12
Format: 3-day interactive residency incorporating singing and songwriting from kid’s perspectives. Secret Agent 23 Skidoo is a true believer in the power of stories and rhythm, and an awesome entertainer in the field of KID HOP. What is KID HOP you ask? That's where kids meet hip hop without compromising either one. This is accomplished through full respect for both the traditions of hip hop and the magical world of childhood. After 13 years of national touring, rapping and producing with a positive hip hop band and 5 years as a loving father of a phenomenal daughter, 23 Skidoo combined 2 of his favorite things and created an album and stage show that brought funky beats and fresh rhymes to the youngsters, as well as bringing his wife and kid on the road and into the act. Youth will perform Saturday, May 12, 12:45pm. www.secretagent23skidoo.com
Cost: $900
6th grade LSS students in World Dance at Erwin Middle School
“
Performing at LEAF is a great opportunity and it’s just something fun to do.”
-Leah, 12 yrs
“Since LEAF is a really big occasion and since we got the privilege of performing we want to be able to make the best of what we have.”
-Madison, 12 yrs
