Margaret Brink

Thoughts from Margaret Brink for HOPP, Dalcroze Australia Newsletter

A teaching reunion in Sydney: In October of 2008 Joan Pope, Sandra Nash and I taught at Mahidol University, Bangkok, to eager Thai students and teachers. I was delighted to be asked to join them for their Winter Workshop July 11-15, 2011 at St. Scholastica's College in Glebe, Sydney, NSW. All the participants I found to be wonderful in their warm welcome, many of them experienced with the Dalcroze work and accomplished as musicians, and all open to new ways of learning in a co-operative manner. Several were preparing and taking exams toward Certification.

Coming from summer here in the USA, Sandra Nash warned me of the cold snap so I brought all layers from my winter attire, shedding it when the sun at midday thawed us all out. Movement actually was invigorating in that environment and probably close to how it would have been when Mr. Dalcroze himself was teaching! There are differences in the certification process here in the USA. Australian standards are closer to United Kingdom's where a Certificate enables one to teach both children and adults. Here in USA the process for certification is mainly preparation to teach children. Christine Mearing was outstanding in encouraging our bodies to shift and give weight in ways new to some of us.

Very fond memories of all of you at the Winter Workshop, stellar memories of the flora and moreover, the unique bird sounds in Sandra's neighbourhood!

Reminding us all to hear and feel music deeply.

Fondly,

Margaret

Examinations in Sydney

(Witten by Dr. Joan Pope, Diplome)

During the Winter Workshop we were thrilled to be able to conduct a number of examinations. The presence of Dr Margaret Brink was of considerable assistance to us as her 'new' eyes and ears were ready to offer perceptive comments. She was especially interested to sit in on the variety of exams undertaken for the Certificate. We are delighted to announce that Nadia Fried, Ruth Saffir and Tanya Davies were successful in Rhythmics; Nadia also in Improvisation. All three presented a 'sample' of a potential lesson to the rest of the group. Now for the Ear training elements of the Certificate, and then the task of arranging the written work and the practical teaching sections. On the way indeed!

Three participants took the Foundation Ear training exam and we were delighted that Frances Hu, Virginia Norris and Katherine Smith were successful. Frances sat the Improvisation test and Frances and Katherine also passed Rhythmics (noting that Virginia has accomplished hers in the April workshop held in Hong Kong). We look forward to their written work and othere elements to complete this level of Award.

Congratulations all! Especially, to Sandra Nash who always carries the exacting task of setting the exams as well as being part of the assessment team. Not easy when one is teaching and administering the course also!

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The Rhythm Inside:
Now Available in Japanese and Korean

	THE RHYTHM INSIDE: CONNECTING BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT THROUGH MUSIC by Drs. Julia Schnebly-Black and Stephen Moore is now available in both Japanese (The Sakai Agency/Orion, 2002) and Korean (Alfred Publishing, 2008). The original English is also published by Alfred.