Presented by Pilipinx composer, percussionist , and sound artist Susie Ibarra , The Rhythm In Nature Residency , Retreat , and multi-ensemble Premier Performance of Four Meditations In Impermanence at PS21 is an extension of Ibarra’s international school and community of multi-disciplinary artists in Drum Labs: Rhythm In Nature. The Residency will take place from July 13-15, 2023. 

 

The Residency will feature field recording workshops each morning listening on the river and with the forest birds on the PS21 campus led by Ibarra and multi-instrumentalist , field recordist , and sound engineer Jake Landau. Ibarra will also teach drum and gong workshops each day focused on learning , interpreting , and playing rhythms of bird songs and the rhythmic equations of waves in water. 

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The cost for the PS21 Summer Rhythm In Nature Residency is $715 for all field recording , sound , and music workshops , yoga and tai chi classes , cooking class , critique hours , rehearsal and performance , plus $270 for all meals - breakfast , lunch , and dinner during the Residency days July 13-15. There are limited spots left in the Residency House at PS21 , this lodging is included in the Residency cost and is first come first serve. Additional lodging will be available in a local hotel at an extra cost. 

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The Residency will feature Susie Ibarra conducting and performing a multi-ensemble world premiere of Four Meditations on Impermanence on the final evening , July 15 , featuring the members of Rhythm In Nature Residency Ensemble , Guest Artists Tashi Dorji and Phyllis Chen , and the Albany Youth Symphony Percussion Ensemble. This piece is a meditation on the rhythms of forests and inspired by the Thich Nhat Hanh quote; “Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible”. 

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Guest Teachers and Workshops During the Residency

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Bhutanese experimental guitarist Tashi Dorji will deliver a workshop talking about his experience growing up in Bhutan , and how Buddhism and nature influence his improvisation , posing questions that will investigate improvisatory music making and its intersection with natural surroundings.  

 

Taiwanese American composer and instrument builder Phyllis Chen will lead a workshop exploring home-made and found object instruments made from stone , bamboo , and clay as well as collecting natural materials from the PS21 campus to explore the sonic possibilities in them and create a collective soundscape with Residency Artists.

 

Rhythm In Nature Residency and Retreat will also feature yoga classes with evening gong baths led by Drum Labs: Rhythm In Nature Community member , jazz drummer , composer, and Iyengar Yoga Teacher Nicolas Chkifi , tai chi classes and a community cooking class.

 

For all Residency participants , Ibarra will create space and offer critique hours and professional development along with guest artists Tashi Dorji , Phyllis Chen , and Jake Landau in the PS21 theater each day where participants are welcomed to share any work in progress projects across any medium for critique from all guest teachers. 

 

The final day of the Residency , July 15 , will feature a community day Listening Lab in the morning at 9:30 AM. Walking down to the river on the PS21 Campus , Ibarra , Landau , and the Rhythm In Nature Residency Artists will invite the community in to field record and listen to the water and birds with them just as they will have been doing together during the Residency for the previous 2 mornings. Afterwards everyone will walk back up to the barn and the Residency attendees will talk to the community about field recording and listening and hold a Q&A.