Michèle is internationally recognized as a masterful teacher of handbell technique.

Workshops and lessons can be a great way to hone your handbell skills.  Whether you're a "newbie" or an "old pro", Michèle's enthusiastic & energetic teaching style will get you thinking and ringing in ways you never thought possible!

Private and group lessons are customized to meet your needs and/or the needs of your group.  Private lessons can be given in your home, Michèle's studio, or at another mutually convenient location.  For group lessons or workshops, Michèle will come to your rehearsal location.

Private and/or Group Lessons:

Not just for soloists or small ensembles, Michèle can work with you individually on your music from your full choir, too!  You can choose to work on specific techniques (such as 4iH) or specific repertoire (solo, ensemble or full choir), or discuss a long-term plan to improve your overall skills.  Lessons are 55 minutes in length and are held in Michèle's home studio, or in another mutually convenient location.

Three Options for workshops:

OPTION 1:  Private workshop — this is not open to the public & is not advertised, but is just for the host choir.

OPTION 2:  Public workshop — "public" means that anybody can attend & the workshop is advertised, it is not a private event.

OPTION 3:  Private master class — this is not open to the public or advertised, only host choir (and any necessary substitutes) may attend. In the master class, Michèle conducts a rehearsal for your group, working on music that's already in their folders and pushes them to "the next level".

1. NOTE:  For Options 1 and 2: The exact equipment required for this type of workshop depends on the topics chosen. All topics are hands-on, so everybody will need bells - the exact number and size depends on the topic.
   

Workshop Topics:

Each workshop topic takes approximately 45-50 minutes to cover (unless otherwise noted), but can be customized to fit other scheduling needs.

For All Ringers (or interested Directors):

1. •Basics Revisited (Bell Control — Your 100,000 Measure Tune Up!)
   

2. ➡Whether you're a brand new beginner or a "veteran ringer," this class will teach (or remind) you what to do before you ever pick up a bell or chime. Learn ergonomic techniques to help you not only "survive" those long rehearsals, concerts, and day-long ringing festivals, but also do so without pain or soreness. Ringers will be introduced to the "Three S's": Stance, Seat and Stroke, and will focus on developing a relaxed ringing style to help control the bell, ring dynamically and make beautiful music.
   

3. •Ringing in One Accord
   

4. ➡Ringing chords cleanly and rapid runs accurately can be a challenge for handbell choirs. Learn techniques and strategies to help you and your choir ring more fluidly. (Most effective when taught as a continuation of Basics Revisited)
   

5. •Multiple Bell Techniques (Solo & Ensemble Techniques)
   

6. ➡Master the "weave" technique with 3 bells, 4 bells, and more! Includes an intro to 4-in-hand technique, if time allows - not just for soloists, all ringers can benefit from this class!
   

7. •4-in-hand Techniques
   

8. ➡Learn the various methods of ringing 2 bells in each hand (there are five ways to do it!) — also some 6-in-hand, if time allows — not just for soloists, all ringers can benefit from this class!
   

9. •There Ain't No Such Thing as Solo & Ensemble Techniques!
   

10. ➡Learn the secrets to applying traveling 4iH to your music in a full-choir setting — not just for the high bells, these techniques can be used down to DE5 or even lower.  (Michèle sometimes 4iH's down to C4!)  Hands-on musical examples given.  Bring your music, too!
    

11. •Ringing with Subtlety & Nuance
    

12. ➡Here are all the "tips and tricks" for how to give the most musical (as well as visually elegant!) performance possible — covers topics such as finger damping, selective damping, half-damping, etc.  Several hands-on musical examples given
    

13. •Jedi Bass Bell Techniques
    

14. ➡Don't let those large bass bells intimidate you! With proper ergonomic technique, even petite individuals can ring bass bells safely. Use your brain rather than your brawn, and get physics on your side!
    

15. •Ring Around the Block
    

16. ➡This is a 90-minute combination class, an overview of Basics Revisited (Bell Control), 4iH, and Bass Bells.  It is not as detailed as these classes separately
    

17. •Essential Skills for All Ringers
    

18. ➡This is a 90-minute combination class, an overview of Multiple Bell Techniques and 4iH.  It is not as detailed as these classes separately
    

For Soloists or Small Ensembles:

1. •Essential Skills for Soloists (or Small Ensembles)
   

2. ➡This is a 90-minute combination class, an overview of Multiple Bell Techniques and 4iH.  It is not as detailed as these classes separately.  Also includes a special section on how to recover from some common 4iH mistakes!
   

3. •Applying Traveling 4-in-Hand to Your Solo/Ensemble Music
   

4. ➡For ringers who already weave well, this workshop demonstrates how to use 4iH techniques to ring more musically in a solo/ensemble setting.  Bring the music you're working on!
   

5. •Solo Ringing with Subtlety & Nuance
   

6. ➡For intermediate to advanced soloists who already weave well and are comfortable with various methods of 4iH, these are the "tips and tricks" for how to give the most musical (as well as visually elegant!) performance possible.  Covers topics such as finger damping, selective damping, half-damping, passing into and out of primary & secondary, etc.  Several hands-on musical examples will be given.
   

7. •Solo Handbells in Contemporary Christian Worship
   

8. ➡Practical advice for soloists who want to play for Contemporary Praise services
   

9. •Solo Handbells in Taizé or other Contemplative Christian Worship
   

10. ➡Practical advice for soloists who want to play for Taizé or other Contemplative services.
    

For Directors (or interested Ringers):

1. •Orchestration for Bells: Using Chimes and Other Instruments in Your Music
   

2. ➡This workshop gives advice on adding the tone colors and textures of handchimes and other instruments to handbell music, even if they're not included in the score.  Also demonstrates various chime techniques
   

3. •Using Handbells Effectively in Contemporary Christian Worship
   

4. ➡This workshop is for directors or ringers at churches with Contemporary Praise services who want to get the bell group involved
   

5. •Using Handbells Effectively in Taizé or other Contemplative Christian Worship
   

6. ➡This workshop is for directors or ringers at churches with Taizé or other Contemplative services who want to get the bell group involved
   

Please see Michèle’s Fee Schedule, then contact her to arrange for your workshop or lessons.

All content © 2003 through 2010 Michèle Sharik and TheGoldenDance.com unless otherwise noted.

Original "Golden Dancer" figure by Elizabeth Kennedy.

"Scribble Dancer" figure by Gretchen Rauch.

Contact information:

Fax: +1-866-561-0186 (toll-free)

Email:

Michele at TheGoldenDance.com

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