Boston percussionist-extraordinaire Grant Smith returns to eastern Pennsylvania this summer to join Tahya in presenting the third annual Drum & Dance Retreat at Lake Nockamixon, Upper Bucks County, PA. Grant will be introducing participants to frame drum rhythms and techniques. Tahya will complement the program with classes using sistrum. Movement sessions to live drumming will awaken inner creativity via sacred and secular traditions of North Africa and the Middle and Far East.

Join us at Hi-Light by the Lake a lovely retreat venue situated adjacent to Lake Nockamixon (east of Quakertown) ~ less than an hour's drive from Philadelphia or the Lehigh Valley!

See below for review of August '06 Retreat.

Grant Smith and Tahya

Tahya's Drum and Dance retreat was held on August 11, 12 and 13th at HiLight by the Lake, a wooded, four-acre property nestled near Lake Nockamixon State Park. The event included wonderful vegetarian meals, a beautiful setting, yoga and outstanding instruction on the frame drum with Grant Smith and Danse Orientale with Tahya.

The retreat was promoted as an opportunity to rediscover the communal and healing powers of drumming and dance traditions that date back to ancient civilizations' reverence of the divine and Tahya fulfilled her promise. Fun and meaningful activities stimulated the senses and promoted overall well being. Lana Higginbotham (who joined us from Atlanta, GA) wrote on her evaluation, "Rarely do the stars and the moon align themselves to bring about 2 or 3 days when one is afforded the luxury of total immersion in dancing, drumming, supreme relaxation and rejuvenation of mind and spirit and body. I am among the fortunate few ."

The retreat opened Friday evening with a fun little "ice-breaker" that quickly brought smiles to everyone's face followed by small sampling of a program entitled "Rhythm and Rhyme--The Subject tonight is Love." This incredibly engaging collaborative performance by Tahya and Grant is comprised of recitations from the mystical poetry of Rumi, Gibran and Hafiz, interwoven with percussive elements and dance. It is particularly moving to see and hear this poetry literally come to life in such a beautiful way. We were also treated to an incredibly relaxing guided meditation with a percussion soundscape in the background, inviting us to experience an expanded awareness of being. Tahya's guided imagery combined with Grant's subtle and changing rhythms and textures in the background set the stage for a blissful feeling of tranquility and floating with the stars.

Both Saturday and Sunday mornings our day began with a yoga session offered by Lin Marcoux, a Bucks County yoga instructor. Lin guided us through flowing postures which offered a wonderful soothing hour of breathing and stretching that gently prepared us for the day's activities.

Tahya and Grant's teaching styles compliment one another very nicely and their drum and dance classes offered were inclusive providing benefits on many levels to both the novice and the intermediate drummer/dancer alike. Tahya offered classes introducing us to mudras from Classical South Indian Dance, which expand one's vocabulary of movement in the hands and we learned a series of postures dedicated as an invocation to Shiva, Lord of the Dance. Lana expanded on this saying,

"It is rare that a student has the opportunity to study in a completely stress free and non-judgmental environment. Tahya has the rare ability to make every student realize that these ancient dances and movements are already deep inside us and need only a little coaxing and gentle direction to come forth. On a personal note, one of the most spiritually moving and absolutely beautiful rituals Tahya taught was the Gayatri Mantra from the South Indian tradition of Devadasi Temple Dancers. Tahya wove together various ancient dance traditions to help expand our awareness of not only our bodies moving through space, but engaging our minds and spirits. This was all skillfully achieved by connecting movement with rhythmic patterns, which in turn subtlety expanded our imagination and creativity. Her attention to detail, and her thorough-yet-relaxed approach to sharing her dance repertoire makes for a truly joyful learning experience. "

Grant Smith offered classes in frame drum and a variety of rhythms. He also introduced us to Handance, a revolutionary frame drumming method developed by Glen Velez, which incorporates stepping, chanting and drumming. Grant is a very patient teacher. Despite drumming being completely new to me, I felt comfortable and totally supported. Grant has a truly unique ability to put even the least experienced musician at ease with his calm and easy-going manner. One of the greatest gifts any instructor can bring to his students is a sense of playful fun and great patience. Grant has both those qualities in spades. His teaching technique obviously comes from the heart, as well as the intellect.

Bonnie

Michael

Lana

There was a real cohesiveness with all who took part.

Lana said, "It was at the bonfire, with the firelight illuminating each individual's unique and beautiful essence that I realized what a magical gift Tahya had given us. Giving ourselves permission to dance and drum with joyful abandon is an experience we need to make room for in our busy hectic lives. This retreat afforded the rare opportunity to spend time in a positive, healing and enriching communal experience--culminating with everyone surrendering to the urge to move, to create, to share, to laugh around the fire. And then we ate Bonnie's decadent chocolate coconut cake. Now that's an evening to remember.

... For me, this retreat was a reminder that we are all connected with the threads of commonality. We all share something deep and primal in our DNA, and when we come together, we remember how we are all connected in our yearning for enlightenment, a way to express our creativity, our personal power and recognizing it in each other.... This time spent together was a positive, healing and enriching communal experience."

My favorite activity was the bonfire - complete with drummers and dancers (us!). The participants dressed up and tried out the moves and the rhythms we had learned earlier in the day accompanied by Grant and other drummers. By that time, the goddess within me was completely unfurled!

Laird MacCubbin said, "The best part was the bonfire where we danced and drummed under moonlight. I also appreciated the opportunity to do body work and found it meaningful to observe the participants reviewing the mudras. The expressive flowing motions were very moving, very peaceful."

When asked if they would recommend this retreat to a friend, the unanimous response was an emphatic yes! Brian Simpson elaborated: "Absolutely, I think it is important for every person to reconnect with their inner self and escape from the blistering pace of today's society." Some of the participants requested that an additional day be added. I can highly recommend this retreat to any one who enjoys drumming and/or dance or who would like to learn about these art forms. Just see what other participants stated when asked "What worked for you?":

"Loved the drumming, found the yoga ever so helpful; energy and joy in dance was tops."

- Barb Shade

"Dis-connecting from the fast-paced "electronic" world. Meeting people with same interests. Supportive setting!"

- Brian Simpson

Perhaps Noel Leas summarized it best: "Good food, connection with other people, great weather, interdisciplinary approach to drumming and dance, the bonfire, and chocolate cake ~ 'nuff said!!"

In closing, I asked Tahya what she felt was unique about her retreats. She told me "The mission of my retreats is to afford participants the opportunity to redisover the communal powers of drumming and dance and to reconnect with these traditions that date back to ancient civilizations' reverence of the Divine. I sense we all enjoyed a positive, upbeat (pun intended!) feeling ~ may this postively impact our lives rippling in a good vibration like a pebble in water out into the communities in which we live."

By the time we parted company it was clear that we were all happily supported by this communal experience. Each one of us had truly given her/himself "permission" to slow down, be reflective *and* drum and dance!!!

As Amy Johnson commented:

" This retreat is a gift to give yourself time to relax and unwind ~ not to mention surrounding yourself with good company, nourishing food and inspirational instructors."

Nan Cardella agreed:

" In a nutshell: It was wonderful! With a background in improvisational movement and music I found the teaching style gentle, accessible, and joyful. I'm looking forward to coming back for more."

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Naomi

Naomi Betancourt is happily married 32 years to her high school sweetheart, Charles Austin with whom she resides in Jim Thorpe with their son Russell. Naomi has been a Customer Service professional for the past 25 years working in government, non-profit organizations and corporate settings. Naomi has a Bachelor of Psychology from Long Island Univerity and is currently finding new paths for expressing the knowledge gained over a lifetime of service to the community with her passion for world music and dance. E-mail: nbetancourt54@msn.com

Summer 2005 Retreat Review

Summer 2004 Retreat Review

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