What We Do

What is Feel the Music!?

In Feel the Music! everyone participates in making music. The goal of all our Feel the Music! programs is to empower people to create their own music and to find their own creative self-expression.

Singing and drumming tap into one of the oldest and most primal parts of our shared human experience. As human beings we live in rhythm: our hearts beat from before we are born until the moment we die. Music is there, inside of each one of us, every single day of our lives.

To “Feel the Music” means being in the moment, creating music, singing, playing, actively engaging with rhythm & melody, feeling the sound vibrations that resonate through our bodies when we make music. You know it when you feel it!

Why Feel the Music?

We believe in the power of music and creative self-expression to help people connect with one another, with their communities, and even with themselves.

We offer world-class musicians and artists who inspire, teach and serve as positive role models.

Our programs include:

  • Hands-on, active participation in music and the arts
  • Learning from professional teaching artists
  • Rooted in community partnerships
  • Based on in-depth experience and research

Workshops

Feel the Music! workshops are fun, interactive and engaging, providing high quality music education, a wide range of musical experience, and are tailored to participants’ needs. Many Feel the Music! workshops focus on the creation and performance of artistic works.

African/World Percussion

African/World Percussion workshops and classes provides a solid foundation in proper percussion technique (both hand drumming and sticks), names, categories and origins of instruments, and instruction in basics of rhythm playing. Teaching artist and renowned percussionist Bashiri Johnson has developed a variety of techniques which inspire and engage participants of all ages:  ‘speak beats’, call and response, instructor demonstrations and rhythm exercises, songs and games.

Participants learn how to listen and respond rhythmically, develop a sense of internal rhythm, gain confidence in their playing and discover how to play in time with others.

Songwriting

Feel the Music! Songwriting workshops and classes engage participants in self-expression and creativity through lyric and melody. Song structure and the principles of lyric writing are explored, using free writing, brainstorming and free association to stimulate the creative mind. Participants analyze old and new hit songs, identify themes and develop listening skills.

Singing

Students in Feel the Music! Singing classes and workshops learn proper vocal technique, warm-up and cool down exercises, posture and how to care for the human voice. Students gain confidence on how to express themselves using their voice. Basic music notation and sight singing are reviewed. Feel the Music! vocal music repertoire is made up of songs from many genres, including songs in a variety of languages. Singing workshops can be structured for special events, holidays, and other themed occasions.

Workshop Archive:

Music classes and workshops offered in earlier years include: Piano, Guitar, Saxophone/Clarinet, Jazz Ensemble with Arturo O’Farrill, Intro to Latin Jazz, Master Class in Jazz Improv, Parent-Child Music, Early Childhood Music, Video Production, Music Technology.

Art workshops included Painting, Watercolours, Collage, Mural Making, Jewelry Making, Mask Making, and The Frog Project.

No prior musical experience necessary to attend Feel the Music! workshops.