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Tree of Life Studio Summer Camps 2009

Each week, we will be exploring movement and music from a different culture: African, Brazilian, American Theater and more (see camp descriptions below). A craft project for each camp will help your child remember their camp experience and provide another fun way to learn cultural traditions. Each camp will culminate with a special performance on Friday to showcase what we have learned.

Students will participate in 4 hours of classes with an hour for lunch and outdoor play. An organic smoothie will be provided by Tree of Life each day, but campers should bring a sack lunch.

Space is limited, so register your child today!

Download our SUMMER CAMPS FLYER.

July 6 - July 10:
Tribal Belly -n- Art

Shake, shimmy and dance with movements from the Middle East, Africa, Spain & India within the context of Tribal Style Bellydance. We will create beautiful arts from these cultures to adorn ourselves with and to enhance our dance.

• DANCE CLASS: M - F
  This class will explore movements from the Middle East, Spain, Africa and India within the context of Tribal Style Bellydance. Campers’ confidence will be uplifted as they learn to express themselves through movement while enjoying the camaraderie that comes with dancing in a group.
• TASSEL BELT MAKING: M, W, F
  We’ll learn a great way to make fun and colorful tassels from yarn to adorn our handmade dance belts with. This accessory is a common addition to tribal style costuming, it enhances the dance movements and adds color and flare to the overall look. As we know, all girls love to dress up!
• INDIAN ARTS: T, TH
  While learning songs, which will be a part of the Friday
  performance, dancers will create their own bindis, and learn about henna art. Bindis are decorative drops or dots worn on the forehead. We will each get an opportunity to make our own special bindi which can be brought home and reused. Campers will also learn about the art of henna; a tradition from India which uses leaves to temporarily dye the skin and create beautiful designs, usually on the feet or hands. The art lasts about one to two weeks. Campers will have a blast creating elaborate designs on themselves or on a partner.

July 13 - July 17:
Brazilian Arts, Music & Movement

An introduction to Capoeira and Brazilian dance through movements, music & crafts.

• CAPOEIRA MOVEMENT: M - F
  Capoeira (pronounced ka-pu-air-ah) is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines martial arts, gymnastics, music, and dance in a cultural context. It is considered to be a game played by two people at a time. Participants form a roda (circle) and take turns playing instruments, singing, and playing each other in the center of the circle. Students will learn basic capoeira movements and etiquette as we practice what we are learning in a roda of our own. Capoeira is a fun workout for girls and boys of all ages!
• SONG, MUSIC & DANCE: M - F
  Students will dive deeper into this captivating art form as they are introduced to different instrumentations and songs that create these soulful rhythms. These traditional Instruments include; Pandeiro, Berimbau, Drums, bells and synchronized hand claps. Students will also learn songs in Portuguese and other traditional
  dances, such as samba.
• DANCA GUERRERA: M - F
  Danca Guerrera is a powerful dance representing a tribe preparing for fight. The choreography includes dancers in traditional clothing and body paint who are armed with swords and shields.
• ARTS & CRAFTS: T, TH
  Campers will have an opportunity to paint their shields to enhance the performance on Friday when demonstrating Danca Guerrera. These swords and shields will be brought home for the campers to remember their capoeira experience.

July 20 - July 24:
Broadway Blast!

Blending America’s popular dance style, jazz, with fundamentals of theatre create a fun approach for exercise, self expression and creativity. High School Musical 3 is our theme this year. With dancing, acting and more, we have the perfect recipe to have a BLAST on Broadway.

• BROADWAY JAZZ: M - F
  FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT!!!! Get Ready to MOVE while using music from one of the hottest hits; “High School Musical 3.” Campers will learn basic jazz movements, combinations and choreography with tips on how to execute their final dance on Friday, in a fun and flavorful way.
• FUN WITH THEATRE: T, TH
  This class will cover many aspects of being on stage. We’ll learn about theatre fundamentals such as character development, improvisation and facial and vocal expression. Students will also become familiar with the idea of stage pictures and miming expression through movement.
• SET DESIGN & VISUAL ARTS: T, TH
  We’ll discuss setting and the importance of visual design in theatre. Working together, the students will create and paint a backdrop for our performance and something to take home.
• ACTING WITH INTERPLAY: M, W, F
  Each student will get a part in a short scene that will be played out in our performance on Friday. This scene will relate to the dance. Every day we’ll spend a little time learning our lines. The focus will be on repetition. They’ll also be reassured that they are storytellers and if they stay focused on the story they will not worry about lines!

July 27 - July 31:
African Music & Dance

Take a look back to the origins of song and dance with daily dance classes full of energy and hand drumming classes rich with culture and shekere building, made by each camper.

• AFRICAN DRUM: M, W, F
  Share in the excitement of rhythms from Africa! Campers will learn basic hand drumming techniques as we explore the world of polyrhythm. Students will develop skills in teamwork, playing music, building a community, and expressing oneself. Drums will be provided by the Tree of Life’s Ancestral Voices Artisans’ Market.
• AFRICAN DANCE: M - F
  The African Dance class will meet everyday, it seeks to expose our young people to the vibrant fun of African dance as we feel the drum beat in our feet! Students will explore rhythm and time while learning about communication between the drum and the dance. The movements are very high energy and are usually accompanied by live drumming. Its a great time for boys and girls and is an enchanting look at the origins and meaning of African dance.
• SHEKERE ORCHESTRA: T, TH
  Learn to weave a net of colorful glass beads on a hard-shelled gourd to create an instrument of your own. Campers will learn how to select and clean the gourds for preparation. They will choose colors and patterns for the net, then weave it onto their gourd with a series of knots. Our young musical makers will then learn some tips of how to play their shekere. If you can tie knots, you can make a shekere! Ready, Set, PLAY!