School Performance

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Fun. Creative. Dynamic. Energizing. Motivational. Unifying.

Rhythm Works Oz is a wonderful workshop to bring into both primary and secondary schools not only because of the content of the program itself, but also because its creator and director Christine Denny has had over 15 years experience in teaching students of all ages rhythm and movement.

Rhythm Works Oz is an interactive workshop situation lasting from 2 to 4 hours depending on the ages and number of students participating and the objectives of the school or teachers involved.

The workshop can be undertaken purely as a refreshing, creative and rhythmic experience to foster creativity, co-operation and confidence, or it can have a performance outcome attached.

Rhythm Works Oz encourages the following in children:

  • Increased self awareness.
  • Increased motivation.
  • Improved co-ordination.
  • A greater understanding of rhythm and music.
  • Spatial awareness.
  • Co-operation.
  • Self-confidence whilst working within a group environment.
  • Facilitates increased creativity.
  • Sharing of ideas with others.
  • Fosters communication.
  • Co-ordination of movement, music and rhythm.

The workshops start with all students striving to reach the same rhythmic objective and once this is achieved - having created a powerful sense of unity within the group - we split the students into smaller groups undertaking a variety of different rhythmic dialogues that compliment each other. The aim being to encourage creativity, focus, commitment and the importance of the individual whilst realising a specific outcome as a group.

Depending on the age of the students and the time and space available, this rhythmic human orchestra can then be staged and choreographed adding a greater visual element to the day. Students are encouraged to suggest both rhythmic and visual ideas during this process and can create their own pieces once the guided process has been completed.

Being a non-competitive activity it provides all students with a non-confronting opportunity to be part of a team. It is a level playing field so to speak, as regardless of scholastic achievement or prowess on the sports field everyone has "rhythm" within them as an innate part of their being.

Rhythm Works Oz taps into this potential and provides children of all ages with a fun, powerful, and dynamic activity that extends their individual creativity, and explores the possibilities of rhythm and movement around them.

Students with No Prior Experience of the Arts

Rhythm Works Oz is a dynamic and fun way to introduce these students to movement, music, and rhythm without having to first develop the skills and techniques required for a more structured music or dance program. Anyone can make music. Anyone can be creative. Anyone can dance. Rhythm Works Oz opens a door to the Arts for these students; especially boys, who may perceive the Arts as an 'uncool' activity.

Dance Students

Rhythm Works Oz is the perfect way for classical, jazz, contemporary and tap students to gain a greater understanding of rhythm which is a strong element in all dance forms.

Music Students

Rhythm Works Oz is a great way for these students to focus on the purely rhythmical aspect of music and explore it in a more physical way.

Drama Students

Rhythm Works Oz is a fantastic opportunity for these students to gain exposure to movement, rhythm and music, in a fun and dynamic way. It allows them to focus and work as an ensemble and gain a greater understanding of the rhythm that they use in every day situations, and opens a window to movement and music without the strains of perfecting a specific dance or music technique.

Rhythm Works Oz also likes to encourage students to "look outside the box" and "expect the unexpected". To see the unlimited potential in the world around them through using unconventional objects as instruments. Things are not always as they appear to be.

Rock Eisteddfod

Rhythm Works Oz can bring the dynamic element of rhythm into your next Rock Eisteddfod performance. Suitable for use with all students regardless of prior experience in dance, drama or music. All the students need is enthusiasm and Rhythm Works Oz is guaranteed to add that extra toe-tapping, hand-clapping fun to the Rock Eisteddfod experience.

Don't Dis My Ability - Launch of International Day of People with a Disability

When: Friday December 3rd 2004
Where: Sydney Opera House Forecourt
Who: Attended by the Honourable Carmel Tebbutt MLC (Minister of Community Services, Youth, Ageing and Disability Services)
What:

As creative director of Rhythm Works Oz Christine worked alongside Virgina Ferris (Head of Dance at McDonald College) on this event and choreographed the finale for the launch. The number incorporated performing arts students from the McDonald College and students from Balmain High School who had physical or intellectual disabilities. Working together they produced a fantastic performance piece using rhythm, tap dancing, sign language, rap and funk.

The performance was a perfect example of rhythm and music conquering all boundaries and bringing people of differing abilities together in a powerful, fun and dynamic way.

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