Tuesday, June 10
6pm-7:30pm
Simpson-Hamline
Join this interdisciplinary collaboration between musician, composer, and educator Zoë Aqua and music neuroscientist, artistic creator, and educator Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver.
We will experience Jewish rhythms from slow and contemplative to fast and joyful, using traditional Yiddish dance gestures and simple, gentle movements to guide us deeper into the music. As we build our rhythmic repertoire, we will also explore the power of rhythm in our brain development across the lifespan, in our physical and emotional bodies, and in our collective past and future. Fusing musical and cultural perspectives with research in music neuroscience and healing traditions, this unique workshop will leave you feeling connected to your own voice and body, to Jewish cultural rhythms, and to the biological origins of human musical rhythm that we share with our entire human family.
Zoë Aqua is a violinist, composer and educator. She was awarded a Fulbright research grant for the 2021-’22 and 2022-’23 academic years to study Transylvanian folk music pedagogy in Cluj, Romania. In September 2022, she released a full-length album of original compositions recorded with Eastern European musicians entitled “In Vald Arayn” (Into the Forest). “In Vald Arayn” mixes influences from klezmer, Transylvanian music, Hasidic music, lautarească and more to meditate on the ways that Jewish and non-Jewish music from Eastern Europe are in conversation with each other. Zoë is a co-founder of klezmer bands Tsibele and Farnakht and served as the full-time understudy for the Klezmatics’ Lisa Gutkin in the Broadway production of “Indecent”. She has presented concerts in Germany, Austria, Hungary and Romania, as well as the US and Canada. Long passionate about teaching, Zoë holds two degrees in music education.
Jessica Phillips-Silver, PhD is a music neuroscientist, speaker, and artistic creator. Dr. Jessica’s scientific research, featured in Science Magazine, Discovery Channel and NPR, explores how musical rhythm shapes brain development. Her children’s musical, Finding Rhythm, premiered at the Kennedy Center, and her music and brain curriculum has been implemented in schools across DC. Dr. Jessica helps organizations in the arts, education and healthcare create or deepen their programs using music arts to promote optimal brain growth and healing—especially through rhythm.
Notes on accessibility: We invite participants to choose among a variety of options for joining in with voice, gentle movement, and instruments & scarves for all ages. No musical background or experience is required, and we support any physical needs or limitations. Rhythm is for everyone.
Our meeting space is accessible via four outdoor steps on the Allison Street side of the building or a portable ramp through the back of the building. Bathrooms are multi-stall, gender-inclusive.
This donation helps support the talented educators running the workshop, Zoë Aqua and Dr. Jessica Phillips-Silver.
We suggest $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Everyone is welcome at the workshop, regardless of whether they donate.
Safety Information & Community Safety Agreement
This event is mask-optional.
Vaccinations required: NSP requires up-to-date COVID vaccination to participate in all in-person events. We expect everyone who can to get all doctor-recommended vaccinations, including annual flu shots. If you have any questions regarding this policy, vaccine eligibility, or should you require a medical exemption, please contact Rabbi Yosef (rabbi@newsynagogueproject.org).
No active symptoms: Please stay home if you have COVID, the flu, RSV, norovirus, or another serious contagious illness or if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms that are outside your norm.
