SINGING FOR FUN
This class is both a forum for individuals to learn more about their own voice, and a way to build community through group singing. Each session begins with a thorough warm up, using breathing and relaxation to explore the physical apparatus that is our singing instrument, and finding its most natural and efficient use. Exercises combining vocal and physical activities follow, as students begin to join their voices into a group sound. Elise creates a synthesis of body and voice that calls in elements of Tai Chi, Yoga, Alexander Technique, as well as dance, theater, and improvisation. Elise combines her theater and dance backgrounds with her diverse musical experiences, from 20 years of choral singing with Robert Shaw & The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus and Chamber Chorus, to making her living as a full time touring performer, educator, community activist, and recording artist. Each week the class learns one or more songs that explore the vast expression of harmony from around the world. Drawing from her love of diverse melodies and rhythms, Elise might introduce a Brazilian samba, a Congolese storysong, an Italian round, or four-part harmonies from Zimbabwe. There are also lots of songs in English, including songs from the African American tradition, quirky rounds, food songs, and lots more!. All of the songs are broken down into easily learnable parts and become thrilling to sing in a group. Even people who think they "can't carry a tune in a bucket" in no time find themselves part of a glorious choir. Music reading is not a prerequisite.
VOCAL IMPROVISATION
Everyone has a voice with an infinite rainbow of color possiblities. Yet often singers fall into one particular style or one particular range, and remain there. This class begins with the concept “there are no wrong notes,” to explore the myriad sounds of which our voices are capable. Get the gritty, technical, sensual sense of how the voice can draw powerfully on vocal wisdom from many cultures. The class provides a safe and supportive space to stretch out and widen vocal horizons, and to express our authentic selves through song, sound, text, and rhythm. Elise brings in techniques from her studies with master teachers Rhiannon http://www.rhiannonmusic.com, Bobbie McFerrin http://www.bobbymcferrin.com, David Darling http://www.musicforpeople.org, and Ysaye Barnwell http://www.ymbarnwell.com from Sweet Honey in the Rock. Music reading is not a prerequisite, but some knowledge of music theory can't hurt.
WORLD HARMONY
Harmony in the world can be defined as people of many different cultures, customs, and beliefs recognizing and celebrating each others' differences while also identifying with and sharing the traits common to us all as one human family. Likewise in music, harmony is the celebration of different sounds that, blended together, are pleasing to the ear and the spirit. However "pleasing" to one ear may be strange to another. Harmony is subjective and cultural. In this workshop, we will explore harmonies from many different cultures and traditions - from the familiar Triad Harmonies of folk, blues, bluegrass, spirituals, country, and gospel, to vibration unifying chants from Africa and the Middle East, to the exciting tight harmonies of the Balkans and the Appalachians. Through song and improvisation, the class experiments with creating different kinds of harmonies to become confident and creative harmony singers.
ELISE WITT
The producer of the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage says "Elise is a performer to remember with international savvy & personal charm." Elise Witt was born in Switzerland, raised in North Carolina, and since 1977 has made her home in Atlanta. She speaks five languages fluently and sings in at least a dozen more. Elise has sung everywhere from New York's Carnegie Hall and Nashville's Bluebird Café to the Jinotepe Harvest Festival in Nicaragua, the Popular Music Festival in Siena Italy, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change. Elise was chosen to represent the state of Georgia for the Kennedy Center's 25th Anniversary, and she recently returned from a cultural exchange in South Africa. Elise's music has been broadcast on radio and television around the world. Lincoln Center Out-of-Doors Festival described Elise's performance as "a really delightful concert from the honey voiced Atlanta songwriter who sings the world." In addition to performing and recording, Elise has created a reputation as a masterful singing teacher, encouraging even the shyest singers to revel in their voices and join with others to create joyful choruses. Her "Singing For Fun" classes in Atlanta have become legendary and her workshops and community residencies around the country and abroad draw and inspire everyone from professional singers to "singers for fun," to self-professed "non-singers." She has also taken her workshops on the road to music camps, universities, and festivals around the U.S. like the Augusta Heritage Center in Elkins WV, The Swannanoa Gathering in Asheville NC (where she coordinated the Sing & Swing program for 8 years), Common Ground in Westminster MD, Virginia Tech University in Blackburg VA, The School for International Training in Brattleboro VT, Big Apple Circus Clown Care, Savannah Folk Music Society in Savannah GA- and internationally - University of Biel Switzerland, Casa per la Pace in San Gimignano Italy, Centro de Cultur Popular in Matagalpa Nicaragua, and aboard the Universe Explorer educational ship sailing around the Americas and through the Panama Canal..
CLASSES & WORKSHOPS
2010
DEC. 30, 2009 - JAN. 1, 2010 FRANKLIN NC
New Year's on The Mountain
Elise Witt & Mick Kinney's "Global, Local & Homemade Songs" workshops and concerts
http://www.mountaincenters.org
JAN. 11 - MAR. 1 ATLANTA GA
Singing Classes w/Elise Witt
Monday Evenings (8 week session)
"GLORIOUS IMPROMPTU CHORUS"
6:45 - 8:00 p.m.
A little bit of vocal technique and a bunch of group songs with exquisite harmonies to form a glorious impromptu chorus. Bring whatever voice you have to discover, explore, and expand the joy of singing.
"VOCAL IMPROVISATION"
8:15 - 9:30 p.m.
Explore the rainbow of colors inherent in our voices and join with other daring singers to create vocal landscapes, soulful harmonies, and impromptu sonic masterpieces. Elise uses games and exercises from the work of Rhiannon http://www.rhiannonmusic.com, Bobby McFerrin http://www.bobbymcferrin.com, and David Darling http://www.musicforpeople.org
@ Rising Phoenix T'ai Chi Studio, Little 5 Points Community Center, 1083 Austin Ave. NE, Atlanta GA 30307 http://www.risingphoenixtaichi.com
Cost: $120 paid by Jan. 4, 2010
$135 paid after Jan. 4, 2010
DISCOUNT for taking both classes $195 paid by Jan. 4, 2010
$225 paid after Jan. 4, 2010
Send check to: EMWorld Records, PO Box 148, Pine Lake, GA 30072
For more information call (404) 297-8398
FEB. 20 DECATUR GA
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (includes pot luck lunch 12:30 - 1:30)
"Glorious Impromptu Chorus" singing workshop with Elise Witt
A little bit of vocal technique and a bunch of group songs with exquisite harmonies to form a glorious impromptu chorus. Bring whatever voice you have to discover, explore, and expand the joy of singing in community.
@ Atlanta Shambala Center, 1447 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Cost: $35 paid by Feb. 1 / $45 after Feb. 1
(special rate for both workshops 2/20 & 3/6 - $50 by Feb. 1 / $80 after Feb. 1)
Info: (404) 370 9650 / (404) 297-8398
http://www.atlantashambhalacenter.org
MAR. 6 DECATUR GA
10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. (includes pot luck lunch 12:30 - 1:30)
"Vocal Improvisation" singing workshop with Elise Witt
Explore the rainbow of colors inherent in our voices and join with other daring singers to create vocal landscapes, soulful harmonies, and impromptu sonic masterpieces. Elise uses games and exercises from the work of Rhiannon http://www.rhiannonmusic.com, Bobby McFerrin http://www.bobbymcferrin.com, and David Darling http://www.musicforpeople.org as well as our own creativity.
@ Atlanta Shambala Center, 1447 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30030
Cost: $35 paid by Feb. 1 / $45 after Feb. 1
(special rate for both workshops 2/20 & 3/6 - $50 by Feb. 1 / $80 after Feb. 1)
Info: (404) 370 9650 / (404) 297-8398
http://www.atlantashambhalacenter.org
MAR. 16 CLINTON SC
Presbyterian College Cultural Enrichment Program present
11:00 - 11:45 a.m. Concert - "Global Local & Homemade Songs™ w/Elise Witt
Afternoon Workshop "Music is Language is Music"
@ Belk Auditorium Presbyterian College, 503 South Broad St., Clinton SC 29325
http://www.presby.edu
APRIL 17 DURHAM NC
GLORIOUS IMPROMPTU CHORUS
Singing in Community - A Vocal Workshop w/Elise Witt
Open to all (experienced and new singers)
@ Location TBA
Cost: $35-65 (sliding scale)
* Make checks payable to Elise Witt
* Mail preregistration and check to: Jude Casseday, 6 Bair Circle, Durham, NC 27704
Contact: Jude at 919-471-8007 or judecass@hotmail.com
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