Music Alive Spring 2021

Music Alive! is a series of FREE weekly Zoom webinars which focuses on music, rhythm, and wellness for ALL AGES, hosted by a panel of international experts working with a variety of intergenerational populations, including children, teens, communities and seniors. Our one-hour presentations are every Wednesday at 4:00 pm (ET), through June 30th. A video of each weekly presentation, along with activities, will be posted on this web page which we encourage you to use as a future resource.

With support from Music for People, and a wonderful group of international musicians/educators/healers (which keeps growing) we have created a series of webinars to assist intergenerational populations with activities involving music and movement, designed for anyone and EVERYONE (even if you think you have no musical experience). NO MUSICAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED!

Begun in May 2020, in the first months of the Covid pandemic, Music Alive! was originally designed for seniors, caregivers, and their families, as a way to stay connected while being isolated from their loved ones. During the past year we presented 29 musical wellness programs, which we encourage you to use as a resource, which are available for viewing at your pleasure.

Thank you for joining us each Wednesday on this musical healing journey.

Music Alive! - Spring 2021 Presentations

April 28
Irene Feher & Laura Mitchell
presenting
Take a "Music Health Break" - You'll Be Glad You Did

LINK to video presentation

Statistics show that a high number of University students suffer from anxiety and feelings of isolation. As part of Concordia University's progressive incentive to promote student wellness, Department of Music part -time faculty member and Music for People facilitator, Dr. Irene Feher, along with Dr. Laura Mitchell, music psychologist and director of Concordia's Student Success Center developed the "Live Your Music at Concordia Project", where students and members of Concordia's community are welcome to come together for a "music health break". Laura and Irene will discuss how the project came into being, its development through the pandemic, impact and future plan. The goal of this presentation is to inspire other institutions to adopt a similar model.

Irene Feher

Irene Feher is a part-time faculty member of Concordia University's Department of Music where she teaches classical contemporary singing. She also facilitates Music for People improvisation workshops and training in Montreal, Canada, teaches vocal techniques at McGill University and voice lessons from her private studio in Montreal. A longtime member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing with three decades of teaching and performing experience, Irene is now facilitating voice classes in contemporary singing. Using a combination of vocal instruction, somatic awareness and improvisation, Irene creates a dynamic learning environment online. Irene completed her doctoral degree in Voice Pedagogy/Performance at McGill University's Schulich School of Music in 2009.

Laura Mitchell

Laura Mitchell is Executive Director of Student Services and the Student Success Centre at Concordia University. Previously, she completed her Ph.D. on the effects of music listening on physical pain, and taught Music Psychology in both Scotland and Canada. With two colleagues, she edited the book 'Music, Health and Wellbeing', published by Oxford University Press in 2012.

May 5
Alisha Ross Ramcharitar
presenting
ABC's of Virtual Drumming - Enhancing Your Remote Facilitation Skills for K-12

LINK to Video Presentation

Has your pandemic journey led you to facilitating virtual programs for youth? Even if you're skilled in working with this population, the virtual learning environment adds a new layer of uncertainty to educational programming. Let's arm ourselves with some new tools! In our time together, we'll discuss the challenges we've likely all experienced with virtual programming for youth, including:

The difference between virtually facilitating a group that's all in one location versus one where everyone is participating from their respective homes
The frustrating "log in and wait" time-killer and how to avoid it
Facilitating blindly to a group of black screens (who's actually there??)

If you are nodding your head emphatically, then join me as I share some resources to set you up for success with your next youth gig!

Alisha Ross Ramcharitar

Alisha Ross Ramcharitar, M.A., B.A., is a global bridge between West African drum and dance, teambuilding and wellness programs. The Founder of Just Add Rhythm, she leads interactive, innovative programs in the Jacksonville area and throughout Florida and Georgia. Alisha is a REMO endorsed and HealthRHYTHMS® trained facilitator. She also holds a senior accreditation in the evidence-based DRUMBEAT approach to drumming with at-risk youth. Alisha has had the opportunity to drum with a variety of clients over the years, including the PGA Tour; Mayo Clinic; Humana; Brooks Rehabilitation; and various organizations in Northeast Florida, drumming with over 100,000 people in over 100 organizations throughout Florida and Georgia. From her roots at Berklee College of Music to her master's degree from Tufts, Alisha brings 20+ years' experience and musical engagement to empower, inspire, and ignite joy. www.justaddrhythmnow.com

May 12
Carolyn Koebel
presenting
Honoring the Passage: Music Therapy at End of Life

LINK to Video Presentation

Carolyn has spent the last 30 years exploring rhythm and vibration as a world percussionist, music therapist, and educator. She has traversed the globe in search of indigenous folk roots and traditional rhythmic materials from Latin & South America, West Africa, the Middle East, and all points in-between. Join Carolyn as she shares her world-wide experiences and knowledge, particularly working with "end of life" clients through the Hospice program.

Carolyn Koebel

Carolyn Koebel is a world percussionist, music therapist and avid educator. She has been exploring rhythm and vibration for the past thirty years. Her early studies are rooted in the Western traditions, while the past 20 years have found her slowly traversing the globe in search of indigenous folk roots and traditional rhythmic materials from Latin & South America, West Africa, the Middle East, and all points in-between. Carolyn works between Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo College, St Mary-of-the-Woods College, and Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan. www.carolynkoebel.com

May 19
Kofi Donkor
presenting
African Drumming and Healing Inside Out

LINK to Video Presentation

Kofi Donkor was born and raised in Ghana, West-Africa, and learned drumming at an early age from his grandfather, the chief of the Village of Besoro, Kumawu-Asante, as well as the traditional dances and arts (instrument making, sculpture, mask-making, Andinkra symbolism, and more) of his native land.

"These art forms mean everything to me - healing, wellness, life, spirit, sanity, identity, authenticity, balance. They bring about togetherness in building a healthy family, a healthy village, our local and global community, etc. I practice these arts because they center me - even if the world is falling apart", says Kofi.

Join Kofi as he leads you into the exploration of the healing elements of African Drumming; as experienced in both rural and urban settings.

For more... Watch Kofi drumming in this YouTube video: There is Healing in the Rhythm with Kofi Donkor and Juma Sultan at Richie Havens' Memorial

Kofi Donkor

Kofi Donkor was born and raised in Ghana in West Africa. He learned drumming at his grandfather’s knee in their native village in Otumi. Kofi graduated from the University of Science and Technology in Kumasi where his studies focused on his nation’s culture, sculpture, rural art and industry. Kofi has won numerous awards for his sculpture which has been featured at exhibits internationally. He came to the US to teach art and drumming in 1992. He has played with internationally renowned drummers Babatunde Olatunji and Mickey Hart, and has worked as an Arts Educator in schools around the country. He considers the preservation of Ghanaian art and culture to be an essential part of his mission. Kofi is the leader of Sankofa, a drum and dance ensemble that performs at schools, universities and cultural events.

June 2
Phillip Didlake
presenting
How Rhythm is Innovating Health and Wellness

LINK to Video Presentation

Learn how rhythm is used for neurologic rehabilitation and how Drum Circle Facilitators can better understand clinical research around drumming. Phil will present and take questions related to the therapeutic applications of group drumming when working with special needs, seniors, and community settings.

Phillip Didlake

Phillip Didlake, MT-BC, is committed to bringing teams together through rhythm. He is a board certified music therapist, the co-owner of Rhythmic Innovation LLC, and the director of Drum Innovation for team-building and special events. Phil rediscovered his passion for drumming when he was 23 and starting the Livermore Drum Circle in the summer of 2009. He has studied the therapeutic applications of group drumming at Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, and was recognized for studying 'drum circles' in the 2017 graduating class by the Berklee Press. Phil has taken VMC training with Arthur Hull, HealthRhythms, and Masterclasses with Christine Stevens, Rhythm to Recovery, Beat the Odds, and Drumming Sounds.

June 9
Alexandra Jai
presenting
Introduction to Rhythm Bliss Mindful Hand Drumming and Movement

LINK to Video Presentation

Join us for a one hour Mindful Hand Drumming & Movement session as we connect in rhythm and movement to release stress, cultivate joy, and experience the healing inherent in the ancient art of hand drumming. No drum or musical experience required - all you need is a heartbeat.

Alexandra Jai

Hailing from Santiago, Chile, Alexandra Jai is a hand drumming and yoga teacher, rhythm facilitator, accompanist and performer with over 30 years of experience. Following a transformative and deeply healing drumming immersion with Nigerian Master Drummer Olatunji Babatunde in her late teens, she plunged heart-first into the study of world percussion and rhythm culture. A lifelong student of rhythm and movement, Alexandra studied traditional African, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, and Middle Eastern Hand Drumming from master drummers across the globe. She is the founder of Rhythm Bliss Studio, a centre for Rhythm and Movement Meditation serving Vancouver, BC since 2003. Alexandra has created Rhythm Bliss Online to spread joy, serenity, and healing by blending the ancient art of hand drumming with yoga philosophy in a way that is easily accessible and relevant to our hectic, modern lives.

June 16
Jim Donovan
presenting
The Wisdom of Sound:
Discover the Transformative Power of Sound to Restore Body and Mind

LINK to Video Presentation

Imagine being able to get deeply calm on demand...
Or silencing your racing thoughts at bedtime effortlessly...
Or even having a reliable way to build resilience to stress...

In this session, you'll have an opportunity to experience several active sound healing exercises while exploring the science behind the techniques. If you've been looking for ways to support the overall wellness of your groups, and add more value and variety to your events, please join us!

Jim Donovan

Jim Donovan M.Ed. is a professional musician, trainer, Assistant Professor and Director of Music and Wellness at Saint Francis University in Pennsylvania, and TEDx speaker. His TEDx Talk "How to Trick Your Brain Into Falling Asleep" has been viewed over 4 million times to date. His mission is to share the healing power of music through education and performance. Having presented over 3000+ rhythm and sound based programs since 1999, Donovan specializes in placing music and wellness programs in organizations who focus on people with disabilities and people recovering from addiction. Jim performs with his band Sun King Warriors, and was a founding member of the multi-platinum band Rusted Root. There he co-wrote the song "Send Me on My Way" featured in the movies "Ice Age, "Matilda", and the Netflix film "Holiday in the Wild". It also became the first song on Mars where it "woke up" NASA's Mars Rover. www.donovanhealth.com

June 23
Jeni Swerdlow
presenting
Facilitating Rhythm Remotely:
Tips, Tricks, and Hacks for Making the Most of Your Virtual Rhythm Event

LINK to Video Presentation

Join Jeni as she shares some of the valuable wisdom she has gained facilitating Drum Circles during the last two decades+, engaging 10,000 participants a year at a variety of settings in the US and abroad. During this session Jeni will emphasize some of the "tips, tricks and hacks" that she has discovered during this past year, having to figure out the steps required to making the most of her virtual rhythm events.

Jeni Swerdlow

Jeni Swerdlow, MA-ATR, is the founder and chief rhythm activator of DRUMMM, as well as a dynamic and engaging facilitator, presenter and trainer with a passion for drumming and a mission to build connections through rhythm. Founded in 2000, DRUMMM's popular facilitated drum circles and interactive rhythm events engage 10,000 participants a year at a variety of settings in the U.S. and abroad. Jeni is a Certified Village Music Circles Global Trainer, Registered Art Therapist (ATR), REMO-endorsed Drum Circle Facilitator, and trained HealthRHYTHMS and Rhythm2Recovery Facilitator. She is a faculty member at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and Women's Drummers International, and a professional member of the Drum Circle Facilitators Guild. www.drummm.com

June 30
Stefano Baroni
presenting
We Are Music!!!

LINK to Video Presentation

Every gesture, every movement, every vocal sound can be the door for creating and organizing music, the key to unlock our creativity. Clapping, stomping, singing, dancing, all these actions are amazing tools that help us to be present in the moment, to listen deeply to ourselves, to build relationships, and explore the world within and around us. This session will focus on our body, our primary learning tool that allows us to be in the world and interact with it; we will pay particular attention to create platforms and strategies that can help us to develop our creative freedom.

Stefano Baroni

Stefano Baroni is a Musician, Educator, Circular Music Facilitator, and Drum Circle Facilitator endorsed by REMO® from Italy, who has been dealing with body music and other forms of circular music since 2011. He works throughout Italy and abroad with groups of teachers, actors, choirs, and employees in frameworks ranging from schools to mental health institutions, from prisons to corporate training programs, from performance to community and team building. Since 2017 Stefano has collaborated with the University of Bologna for the course of Artistic Vocology, and for the first course in the world on Circular Music, called Circlesinging Educational, created by Albert Hera and Doctor Franco Fussi.

Music Alive!
Spring 2021

Host: Mary Knysh
Technical Director: Mike Deaton

April 28
Take a "Music Health Break" -
You'll Be Glad You Did
with Irene Feher &
Laura Mitchell

LINK to video presentation

May 5
ABC's of Virtual Drumming -
Enhancing Your Remote Facilitation Skills for K-12
with Alisha Ross Ramcharitar