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Classes, lectures, lessons and workshops
For private study, colleges, conferences, festivals, arts centers and music camps
- Guitar lessons
- Songwriting for Everyone
- Songwriter's Circle
- Bellydance
- Other classes
- Lectures
- Resources
Guitar lessons
Beginning to intermediate students, kids and adults. For beginners, you can learn any style except classical. Intermediate players will focus on acoustic styles like country, singer-songwriter, bluegrass and folk. Jamie knows her share of power chords and blues licks so the rockers won't feel left out either. Half-hour lessons weekdays and weeknights, on a weekly basis when Jamie is not touring. Central Durham location - for more information, contact us.
Songwriting for Everyone
This fun class is for beginners primarily but is open to songwriters of all levels. Janis Joplin once said that she didn't write songs, she just made 'em up and Jamie's organic approach to songwriting is similar. You don't have to read music or be formally trained, you just need a desire to write songs. (Those with formal training shouldn't be discouraged either, this class is for everyone.)
We'll discuss the basic elements of a song (lyric and melody), hooks, songwriting tools, creating the space to write, finding inspiration, elements of a good story, avoiding songwriting traps, different lyric forms, and methods for finding melodies. Jamie will provide examples and handouts, facilitate discussions and everyone will do some writing exercises. There's no grade or pressure to write the great American song, just do your best and have a good time.
You'll write at least one song. You'll have the opportunity to play it for the class and receive friendly feedback from Jamie. This is not a performance class so don't worry if you think you don't have the instrumental or vocal skills to play for other people because what matters is the song itself.
There are two different versions of this class. One is offered weekly for 4-6 weeks in the triangle cities area of North Carolina. It's been offered at the Durham Arts Council (durhamarts.org), Duke, and the ArtsCenter. It's also available as a one-time workshop of varying length for festivals and other special events. For more information, contact us.
Jamie also offers private songwriting consultation. Get feedback for your songs and inspiration to write more. Take one lesson or many. Central Durham location - for more information, contact us.
Songwriter's Circle
This is for students who have taken Jamie's Songwriting class or have other songwriting experience. In this class, Jamie cracks the whip and gives you lots of helpful activities for exercising that writing muscle. Each class will end with an assignment to write a song for next class. This could include a first line, topic, genre of song or other fun idea. If you think you've run out of lyric ideas and melodies, and if you want helpful feedback on your songs, then this is the class for you.
This class is two to three hours on a weekly basis for one month. It's been offered in several locations in the triangle cities area of North Carolina - at Duke (Short Course), The ArtsCenter and other locations. A shorter version of this class is also offered. For two to four hours, participants present a song to the group and get feedback. If there is time remaining, songwriting exercises are offered and/or students are given some free time to write a song, then present it to the group.
Bellydance
Bellydance Troupe is for those who have taken Shake, Rattle and Roll with Bellydance or who have equivalent bellydance experience. Dive into the deeply mysterious world of layered shimmies, body waves, finger cymbals and more. You'll learn at least one short combination in every class. At the end of the course you'll know at least one complete choreography.
Classes are on a weekly basis at various times of the year, weeknights, at the Durham Arts Council (www.durhamarts.org). Also available are special workshops usually held on the weekends: Veil Fun, Bellydance for Moms and Daughters, Bellydance for Scaredy Cats (for first-time dancers who just want a short introduction) and more. For more information, contact us.
Bellydance can also be offered as a one-time workshop at festivals and conferences. It's great exercise for anyone, especially singers because it strengthens the diaphragm. Jamie has offered dance workshops at the National Women's Music Festival, Michigan Women's Music Festival, Golden Threads conference and others.
Other classes
Music performance class: Students prepare for a performance with visualizations, role-playing and other exercises as well as a discussion about PA systems, and putting together a set. The several week course ends in a performance for family and friends. Writing and performing funny songs: We look at different kinds of humor and how to incorporate them into comedy songs. Getting Gigs: This is where Jamie teaches you to take her job. In this three-hour business workshop she offers information about finding venues, working with bookers, doing publicity and putting together a press kit.
Back to table of contents
Lecture
The Kindness of Strangers: The Life of a touring performer
Touring nationally since the late 80's, Jamie has stories about weird housing (ask her about the pig), funky bar owners, getting locked out of housing and locked into housing, getting kicked off a stage in Roanoke, and more. Learn what touring is like for this musician who's never been on a major label. This presentation is an hour long with an additional optional discussion period of 30 minutes.
Resources
Contact us if you have any questions, or for more information.
Guitar
Jamie uses these books for guitar lessons. Contact us before starting lessons to find out which one is for you:
Songwriting
For further songwriting study, Jamie recommends these books:
For further bellydance study, Jamie highly recommends the videos and workshops offered by Kathryn Ferguson, www.anubisbastet.com/xanadu.htm
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This beautiful Middle Eastern dance is highly recommended for people of all ages and sizes who want to have fun and participate in a low-impact aerobic exercise. In Shake, Rattle and Roll with Bellydance, learn hip shimmies, graceful arm movements, fun traveling moves and more. Every class will include a combination of movements to form a short dance. No dance experience is necessary. Those with a background in bellydance are also encouraged to take this class because it's great exercise and a lot more fun than the gym.
Lessons are supplemented with handouts from Jamie's extensive teaching files.
Bellydance