SUMMER CAMP
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2024 WORKSHOPS
HAPPY
SONGBIRDS
WITH DARIA KRAMAR
An ancient legend tells the story of a bird that symbolizes the language of our Ukrainian motherland. This bird is the nightingale, a holy and free bird deity, singer of goodness and love, symbol of spring and will, all-inspiring, unsurpassed talent.
In the "Happy songbirds" workshop series, you will learn basic sewing and embroidery techniques, and have the chance to make some beautiful folk accessories styled on beloved folk birds. We will be using precious natural wool felt, cotton embroidery floss and notions, to complete a functional pouch, and if time allows– a brooch, or patch.
You will be able to make three delightful sewing projects!
FIBRE SPINNING*
WITH JOHANNA KOESLAG
Learn the basics of spinning wool into yarn. Learn about wool and its preparation, from combing and carding, to felting. You'll be guided in spinning on a wheel, but drop spindles are also available. No experience necessary. Beginners welcome.
TRADITIONAL SHEEPSKIN TANNING
WITH DANIEL STERMAC STEIN
Come spend time learning to turn a sheepskin into a long lasting and hard wearing beautiful material. We will discuss, wonder and get right into every aspect of turning a skin into leather using only natural materials, our bodies and an often neglected human inheritance of generational knowledge. No prior experience necessary, just a willingness to learn. Work clothes, waterproof apron and knife recommended.
BULGARIAN RHYTHMS AND TUNES
WITH ALEXANDER JONES
This workshop is an introduction to Bulgarian rhythms and tunes. All instruments are welcome! We will be talking about time signatures, scales, modes and motifs that are commonly found in traditional Bulgarian dance music. All ages and all skill levels are encouraged.
APPALACHIAN, BRITISH, AND UKRAINIAN FOLK SONGS
WITH BENJAMIN STEWART
This is a traditional singing workshop open to all. It is based on the belief that every human has the potential to sing with their community and to feel the joy this can bring. It aims to enable participants to connect with one another as well as with oneself and the natural world through the very ancient technology of making music with voices. Drawing from traditional Appalachian, British, and Ukrainian repertoire, we will spend our time in class learning songs and singing together. We will discuss some of the songs, their origins, and their cultural relevance. Each day, we will study 1-3 songs depending on complexity, focus, and level of the class. On each of our five days of workshops, we will aim to cover one of the following: 1. Ritual/Religious Songs 2. Work Songs 3. Polyphony 4. Table Songs 5. Lullabies Depending on the overall level of the group, more or less time will be spent strengthening voices and practicing harmonies together. Please be prepared for a flexible experience that will enable all of the participants to enjoy and flourish in a supportive environment. Some extra time (outside of class time) may be necessary to refine a song or two for our presentation to the rest of Folk Camp.
FORGING*
WITH ROK CAPUDER
Delve in to a week-long learning experience in the art of reshaping metal with fire, hammer and an anvil. Forging is an ancient art form and craft that combines all four elements that results in creating a structural and artistic items solely limited to one’s imagination.
TRADITIONAL FOLK SONGS FROM THE U.K.
WITH SHELLEY THOMAS
Critically acclaimed vocalist and vocal coach Shelley Thomas will teach original arrangements of traditional folk songs from the U.K. The vocal workshop will focus on harmonic blend, pitch precision, ornamentation, timbre, storytelling, stage presence, and improvisation. Repertoire will draw upon traditional folk songs from various regions of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, with unique and fun vocal arrangements. Shelley has performed and studied folk and contemporary songs from around the world for 19 years. She has studied singing and music with over forty teachers to create her own style that draws upon music from around the world and the mystical qualities of song.
PLANT MONOGRAPHS
This workshop will focus on a different herb each day. Spending time with the plant observing it and seeing what kind of information we can gather from the herb directly. Then we will harvest the herb and make medicine. We will then go over a monograph and discuss the medicinal properties, folk lore, Latin names and constituents. Every day participants will go home with medicine that we have made together to build a home apothecary as well as a copy of the written monograph.
*APPRENTICESHIP
As an apprentice, you’ll be committed
to focusing on one particular craft by serving as an assistant to the craftsperson teaching that craft.
UKRAINIAN
WEAVING*
WITH JOHANNA KOESLAG
Weaving in Ukraine has been done with flax, hemp or woolen threads for many centuries, for clothing, housewares, and ritual towels (rushnyky), much of it in the home, on wooden floor looms. In this workshop you'll have the opportunity to work on a similar floor loom and explore simple traditional Ukrainian patterns made with overshot weaving. No experience necessary.
KIDS/YOUTH PROGRAMMING
WITH LILA ERGLIS
Our summer camp will be offering a number of activities designed with kids in mind. Fun, play, crafting and exploring nature!
Toddler/kid gang will be doing lots of diverse fun activities led by Lila Erglis and the older kids gang might join some theatre/ drama antics led by Lizzy Shipman, and/or join some of the all ages workshops.
UKRAINIAN TRADITIONAL SINGING
WITH OLEKSANDR KROPYVNYI
Throughout their lives, ancient Ukrainian people followed a number of ritual practices, always accompanied by special loud singing. Today, while ritual singing is fading in the natural rural environment, it's being kept alive by ethnomusicologists and enthusiasts who revive forgotten melodies that have remained only on the archive shelves. In this workshop, you will learn a few of these melodies from the Poltava region and Polissya and their context, practice traditional singing techniques, try yourself in Ukrainian polyphony etc. You'll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the Ukrainian tradition and feel like an authentic rural singer. The workshop is beginner-friendly, but some singing experience and Ukrainian language skills would be helpful.
THE ART OF FABRIC PRINTING
WITH ALEXANDRA KULINENKO + FEDIR KURKCHI
Kur&Kul Arts invite you to their workshop series: Ukrainian block printing and The Art of Fabric Printing. During the workshops you will learn the tradition of fabric decoration using paint and wooden block stamps. We will use various types of pigments, both synthetic and natural. Bring your linen skirts, t-shirts, jeans, or other fabric you’d like to work with.
EASTERN EUROPEAN FOLK ENSEMBLE
WITH BEN BATCHELDER
Join us in exploring the diverse musical traditions of Eastern Europe. Bring your instrument of choice and learn to play folk melodies that have been passed down through the generations. We will focus on Ukrainian, Hutsul, and Klezmer folk traditions (and more!). Discover the distinctive sound of the Carpathian mountains and learn the unique rhythms and harmonies that define this cultural heritage.
Our ensemble accepts musicians of all ages and skill levels — seasoned performers and curious beginners alike are welcome. Enhance your musicianship, improve your performance skills, and hone your ability to lock in and blend with other musicians. Learn new music hands-on and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural and historical context behind these folk tunes.
Together our ensemble will celebrate and preserve the musical traditions of Eastern Europe, become the best musicians we can be, and form a connection through song.
GEORGIAN POLYPHONIC SINGING
WITH ANDREA KUZMICH
Georgia, nestled in the mountainous Caucasus region at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, boasts an ancient singing tradition renowned for its distinctive and haunting harmonies. This tradition defies Western conventions, offering a rich tapestry of musical dialects that reflect the country's diverse geographical and cultural landscape. In this workshop, we will explore songs that represent various regional styles and a range of song types, which may include harvest, work, travel, table, love songs, and chants. Songs will primarily be taught by ear and specific Georgian vocal techniques and phrasing will be explored, which may include melismas and yodeling. Aspects of Georgian culture and history will be contextualized as well. Singers do not need to know or speak Georgian - they only need to be able to sing independently in harmony and be willing to learn!