Services

The expressive arts benefit those who are seeking greater self-understanding and creative enrichment, as well as those who seek alternative methods of therapeutic treatment and coping strategies for particular challenges.

The Expressive Voice and Sacred Soundings: Meditative to Blissful

•Develop confidence and a sense of community

•Support your voice through breath awareness practices

•Focus on posture and gesture

•Express your body through movement and sound

•Refine tonal quality

•Improve musicianship, and

•Explore your creativity through sound and music.

Primary benefits of this practice: A period of uninterrupted repetition of simple sacred syllables allows for entry into a serene, meditative state of mind conducive to heightened spiritual awareness. (Spirituality is not denominational – it is the individual’s perception of the Divine. However, the personal perception of the Divine for the facilitator is Christ-centered and workshop materials will be drawn from sources that do not conflict with that.)

Format of Weekly Practice (Pre-registration required)

Weekly vocal practice at studio to focus on breath, tone, scales, mantra, chant - first 15 mins. check in, one hour will be continuous, non-interrupted (no conversation back and forth), and then final 45 mins. will be cross-cultural melodies. Multi-ethnic cultural resources are drawn from Brazilian, Celtic, Native American, Taize, Gregorian, African, and some N. and S. Indian Sanskrit, etc. The uninterrupted hour is essential to deeply immerse into your sound and the sound of all. A nominal weekly fee of $10. or $40 per month, payable in advance at the beginning of each month, ensures weekly participants a discount on the monthly session.

Format of Monthly Session

Session starts at 10 AM – 12 noon; lunch break for 1 hour, and 3 hours afternoon session from 1-4 PM. The all day format will allow for joyous expressive movement, improvisational small groups, musical theory development, and more cross-cultural vocalizing, and possibly some instrumental development.A reference handout of scales (major, minor, pentatonic, explanation of modes, and introduction to North Indian ragas) will be available to registered participants, and an explanation/instruction will be provided on a progressive gradual basis.

The monthly session is $65, if you are attending the weekly sessions, and $80 for monthly session without a weekly commitment.

Recent Comments after Vocal Meditation Workshop, Catskill Library, 12/09:

"Very wonderful!" Jim Davis

"Thank you so much for coming to the Catskill Library and presenting your vocal meditation workshop....the workshop was splendid." Audrey Matott, Library Assistant

Profound Sound

An overview of the history of sound as a healing modality, information on psychoacoustics, the physiological and emotional effects of sound and music; highlights on major contributors to the field of sound and music healing; and a hands-on demonstration of the instruments and tools, tips on techniques available to aid in enhancing your own sound health, plus a take home resource list. Recommended duration: 1 1/2 hours or more.

Expressive Voice and Sacred Soundings (Short Custom Program)

The voice is the ideal therapeutic instrument for physical, emotional, and spiritual support. The foundation for this work is based on breath technique, the use of "sacred" pre-verbal tonal sounds, seed syllables, and mantras as well as cross-cultural melodic chants from various cross-cultural traditions. The vocalist builds upon this foundation through learned repertoire and improvisational expression. Points on body posture and gestures to support our sound are included. Suitable for individual or groups. 1-2 hour workshops or private sessions.

"Good Vibrations" through Sound & Music - 1 to 1 1/2 hours

A highly interactive session including information about how sound and music affects us physically; how music assists in memory and building brain health; a breath technique for relaxation; an explanation of how to use your voice, tones and repetitive "soundings" to release tension,reduce pain and change mood; a display and hands-on demonstration of instruments for fun and easy improvisation; resource hand-outs; caregiver tips.

Special note: When a majority population consists of individuals experiencing dementia/Alzheimer's symptoms, the importance of accessing long term memory is emphasized. "No wrong note" instruments are demonstrated and participant playing encouraged. Familiar melodies from the elder's youthful past are shared and participants may participate in "rhythmic" accompaniment. Brief conversation may follow.

Your Creative Nature - A tailored workshop for groups

Each sessions is designed to access the imagination, step out of the busy ordinary reality, and immerse into the extraordinary world of art-making. Community/team communication skills and respect are fostered. A single session may be selected or you may choose to contract for several over an extended period. A Menu of art and musical projects will be consulted. (See below under individual expressive arts.)

"Born Creative" Arts & Music for Children & Families

Every child is creative and musical. Sessions are designed to tap into your child's natural abilities and encourage his or her confidence in using those abilities. Classes use a range of art forms, including music and movement. Literacy-based activities may be incorporated. Dawn has extensive experience with special populations, such as, developmentally disabled, learning challenged, and those with emotional issues.

Recent Comments after Palenville Library Performance, 12/09: "The music was great! My two year old just loved playing along with the various instruments and also really enjoyed the puppets. Thank you for a nice evening." Audience participant

"Dawn was an absolute delight to have at our library. The children were so joyfully engaged!" Tracy, Palenville Librarian

"We enjoyed having you and clearly the kids did too. We would like to have you return,,,. Thank you for a wonderful time! " Carol Roberts, Librarian, Troy Public Library, Feb. 2010

YogaDance® (formerly known as DansKinetics) This is a joyful, energetic, and therapeutic way to move and freely dance. Based on yoga principles, movement and music are coordinated to stimulate energy flow throughout the entire body. You do not have to be a "dancer" to participate, and the playful interaction builds community spirit! Physical ability required: you should be capable of taking a brisk walk. This can be modified to whatever activity level the majority of the group is with individual modification as necessary. Ask for more description.

Aromatherapy Introduction to history/background of aromatherapy, what are appropriate essential oils and carrier oils, safe storage and usage, what are the therapeutic properties, recipes, and recommendations for conditions. "Reminiscing with Aromatherapy" may be incorporated as part of workshop depending on time or may be a separate workshop entirely, or individual activity. This is highly recommended for the elderly population because it stimulates memories and conversation, is fun, and allows individuals to sniff familiar and less familiar scents under controlled conditions.

Introduction to Native American Style Flute (3 hours) $55 ea.

Interactive workshop covering how to hold the flute, breath control, playing the pentatonic flute Mode 1 and Mode 4, improvising using one breath and one or mote notes, reading tablature (what is tablature?), playing with other instruments, intro to ornaments, playing in duos and more, display of personal collection of flutes from various builders, and resource handouts

For Individuals:

Music for Healing and Transition® Vocal and or instrumental music appropriately selected by Certified Music Practitioner and provided one-to-one for critically ill, chronically ill, elderly or actively dying. Research shows that music assists in pain management, regulating blood pressure and balancing body rhythms, and may stimulate cognitive functions. Twenty minutes to 1/2 hour recommended.

Sound Healing Utilizing the voice as well as instruments, the individual may choose to be active or passive in their own unique sound session. Instruments may be selected from the following: harp, mountain dulcimer, Tibetan singing bowls, chimes, a variety of drums (djembe, tongue drum, frame drums), kazoo, Freenote® Wing in C major, resonator bells, rainstick, kalimba, and other rhythm tools.

Reiki Energy Therapy Reiki is an ancient Tibetan hands-on technique which taps into universal energy all around us to balance an individual's energy field. It was rediscovered in the late 19th century by a Japanese monk, Dr. Mikao Usui, and brought to the West by Hawaya Takata, a Japanese American woman in the 1970s. The world Reiki (pronounced ray kee) means "divinely guided energy" and so the help of God/Divine Spirit is invoked to guide the energy of the practitioner to where it will do the highest good (physical, emotional, or spiritual) and to bring about the recipient's return to the greater wholeness. Reiki practitioners, after completing a series of training attunements, act as channels for the energy to travel to the recipients. Individual recipients may feel a greater sense of relaxation or a feeling of mental clarity, calmness and well-being. Dawn has completed Reiki Master/Teacher training.

Therapeutic Expressive Arts Every experience is gently guided. Individuals enter a session with a brief check-in on subjects of concern, and then transition occurs into art-making, an aesthetic feedback after, and a re-entry period with final comments before leaving. Duration: 1 1/2 hours recommended.

Menu of Expressive Arts

Creating & Communicating with Clay; Pebble Art

Watercolor Murals

Paper Marbleing

Personal Mandalas

Mask-Making

Tissue Paper Collage

Tempera Painting

Monoprinting

Self-Boxes with Found Objects

Touch Drawing

Music Improvisation and Imagery

Collage from Nature

A Trip Around the World with Music (multi-session interactive)

Emerging Emotions through Movement

Sandtray Modeling & Art

Land & Nature Art

Color Your World with Construction Paper Mural (team project)

Sound Journey & Journaling

Poetry from Word Bowls, Postcards, & Varied Prompts

Poetry - the Visual Imagery

Photo Collage & Journaling

Song Writing & Playing

The Stories and Drama of Our Lives - Re-enactment

Additional Services Include:

Music Performances for Historic Sites and Museums - Vocal and instrumental (mountain dulcimer, guitar and harp, Native American-style flute)

Period Songs and tunes dating from 1600s through 1800s and early 1900s, drawn from European cultural traditions as well as other ethnic influences, brought to America and shared. Many of these tunes have become classic favorites handed down from generation to generation. May be performed in costume.