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Tahya & Grant Smith present a program of dance and poetry recitations with percussive soundscape.
Tahya combines 20 years experience performing Danse Orientale, a tradition steeped in antiquity, with the talents of Grant Smith, a brilliant percussionist expertly versed to present North African, Middle & Far Eastern rhythms.
Tahya recites selections of Rumi, Hafiz and Gibran among others all the while doing dance & mudra/gesture accompanied by Grant who plays riq, tabla, tar and assorted other percussion creating a lovely soundscape to accompany the poetry and dance.
Audiences are uplifted by the dance and drumming interwoven with the beautiful messages in the words of poets who understand the language of the heart and the universal truths of humanity that withstand the test of time. Throughout the centuries these arts resonate across generations, regardless of racial, ethnic, religious or social boundaries.
Independently Tahya and Grant have performed throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia. Working together combining their talents, Tahya and Grant have enjoyed successful presentations at a variety of venues throughout the Northeast U.S. This program has been very well received and is appropriate for a variety of performance venues including ~ but not limited to ~ collegiate venues, e.g., literature and/or world religion departments.
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Indian tabla Middle Eastern doumbec North African tar Egyptian Tambourine Persian Daf and Tonbak Congas Udu Handsonic ~ electronic/MIDI (musical instrument digital interface) shakers, clackers, finger cymbals and more... |
11-12th C: Omar Khayyam 13th C: Jelaluddin Rumi 14th C: Shams-ud-din Muhammed Hafiz 16-17th C: William Shakespeare 19th C: Emily Dickinson, Oscar Wilde Elizabeth Barrett Browning 20-21st C: Coleman Barks, Anne Campbell, Leonard Cohen, Khalil Gibran, Donovan Leitch and more... |
Classical South Indian 'Namaskaram' Spectacular Moroccan 6/8 Egyptian-style 4/4 Beledy Classical Persian 6/8 court-style dance and more... |
"Tahya performances are resplendent with textures and rhythms that affect the senses at their core.
It seems like history comes alive with the glories of the Persian court.
Tahya does a remarkable job of keeping the history and the connection with contemporary cultures alive."- Deborah Sacarakis, Director of Programs and Outreach
Zoellner Arts Center,
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
"This is an incredibly engaging performance of the mystical poetry of Rumi, Gibran and Hafiz interwoven with a myriad of percussive elements and dance. It is a treasure to see this poetry literally come to life in such a beautiful way."
- Therese Swift-Hahn
Bella Scrittura Calligraphy and Design
Mount Laurel, NJ
"...dancer extraordinaire Tahya dazzled the crowd. The combination of strong musical numbers and considerable stage presence is elegant. Tahya's dance activates the space and Grant's drumming enhances the dance... I highly recommend this program."
- Tom Katsimpalis, Curator of Interpretation
Loveland Museum/Gallery, Loveland, CO
"A performance by Tahya and Grant is absolutely mesmerizing!"
- Khadija/Katrina Valenzuela
Transformations Center
Cape Cod, MA
"Tahya and Grant Smith's performance "Weaving Rhythm and Rhyme" combines an exquisite blend of soaring prose and grounding drumbeats that will awaken your senses, stir your heart, and move your soul. Their combined expertise into a unique presentation of culture, history, music, and words is a gift for audiences of all ages."
- Toni Kellar, Roots to Rhythm
Cambridge, OH
"I continue to think about your beautiful use of Rumi's poems with your dancing; it was so inspiring."
- Marni Sclaroff
Philadelphia, PA
"I was sure I didn't have much interest in Sufi/mystic poetry from the mid-13th and 14th Centuries, nor did I think I had much reason to care; however, after witnessing your showcase, I have to tell you I "get it" now. I found your performance engaging.
Persevere!"- Ivan Sygoda (Pentacle)
New York, NY
"Tahya graced the stage with her elegance and wonderful sense of style."
- Paul H. Chou, Director, Philharmonic Orchestra
Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
"Tahya has created a beautiful performance piece. ... an unusual and wonderful presentation - dramatic storytelling, with musical background and open choreographed gestures - storytelling as human art form. It warmed my soul.
You enriched all of us with your gift."- Alay'nya
McLean, VA
"Tahya mesmerized the audience (who) gave her many complimentary remarks. For example, 'Wonderful presentation,' 'Very entertaining,' and 'Very informative.' My personal thanks for the thought and effort put into giving a presentation that holds everyone's interest and also gives each of us new insight..."
- Elaine Schadler, Manager of Mature Adult programs
Northampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA
"Tahya can transform any school assembly or concert hall into another time and place with her artistry. I have performed with her and she is a true artist as well as a gifted communicator."
- David Amram, internationally-acclaimed
composer/conductor/multi-instrumentalist.
Click here to see
PHOTO COLLAGE ~ TAHYA & GRANT
TAHYA is a vibrant and natural dancer with over 20 years of teaching and performance experience both nationally and
internationally. Tahya's on-going dance and frame drum classes and weekend workshop/retreats explore multi-cultural
sacred and secular dance traditions. Her grounded, earthy, sensual style celebrates the beauty within.
For more biographical information, click here for Tahya's bio
The Boston Globe calls Grant Smith a "brilliant improviser."
He is involved in many world music, jazz, classical, and dance projects in Boston and New York and now throughout the US with Tahya. His theatre
credits include the American Repertory's "The King Stag", and "Shlemiel The First", as well as Joel Grey's "Borscht
Capades". He is also a contributor to Trish Cibree's "Lounge Life". Mr. Smith has toured globally from Crakow to Thailand
and New Zealand. He has performed with Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma, Don Byron, the Violent Femmes, Garrison Keillor, Jane Wang and the Green Bay Packers, among others. A member of the Klezmer Conservatory Band, and
Klezperanto, Grant has performed on many stages from Radio City, Wolf Trap, and Tanglewood, to the Hollywood Bowl,
MU in Budapest, and the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. For more information, see Grant Smith's homepage
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UPCOMING appearances:
FRIDAY, JUNE 9, 2006
10:00 p.m.
PA Presenters 2006 Spring Conference
Pittsburgh Renaissance Hotel
Pittsburgh, PA
SUNDAY, JULY 23, 2006
4:00 p.m.
Aladdin
Allentown, PA
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10, 2006
7:30 p.m.
Raubsville Inn
Raubsville, PA
2007 and 2008 dates TBA
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CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS for upcoming appearances and visit Tahya schedule webpage to view additional upcoming events!
NOTE: As an add-on, both Grant and Tahya are interested in offering frame drum and movement sessions for the community ~ for example, Assembly Programs, Community Workshops, Museum Performances, etc. This program is also applicable to arts education cross-curriculum programming via English and/or Literature classes, World history/cultures classes, Music classes, etc. and is an ideal way to introduce and/or celebrate Poetry Out Loud, a National Recitation Contest. Created by the National Endowment for the Arts and The Poetry Foundation, this program encourages high school students to memorize and perform great poems. Poetry Out Loud invites the dynamic aspects of poetry, spoken word, and theatre into the English class. This exciting new program helps students master public speaking skills, build self-confidence, and learn about their literary heritage. Thousands of high school students across the nation will participate in Poetry Out Loud this year. For more info., go to Community Workshops and/or Arts Education programming.
