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DiRRiD is now part of the  SPECTRA program of Santa Cruz County's Cultural Council. Our first public school performances in November of 1998 were enthusiastically received. In February 1999 we also began providing residence programs in rhythm and dance education in area public schools.

Our first public school performances in November of 1998 were enthusiastically received. In February 1999 we also began providing residence programs in rhythm and dance education in area public schools. Members of The DiRRiD Players during the 1998-1999 season were Peter Greenwood, Debra Houston, Holly Blue Hawkins, and Pilar Marti.

As a result of DiRRiD’s warm reception, the group was invited back to Starlight Elementary School (Watsonville, California) in the winter of 1999 for a six-week residency. Heidrun and one assistant per session visited individual classrooms, working with children in a hands-on setting around a large “mother drum,” clapping, stepping, singing, and drumming together. The emphasis was placed on simple rhythm concepts: slow/fast, loud/soft, and listening to one another while playing together.

The Body Oracle Cards™ were introduced as attention-focusing aides, and to help students differentiate between parts of the body, and types of movement. Children commented that they enjoyed using the cards because it fostered an element of group process, contrasting the teacher-centered approach to learning something new. An added benefit of using the Body Oracle Cards in this bilingual setting was that the children were able to learn to name parts of the body in English as well as Spanish.

Working with young children around a central drum provides an opportunity for teaching in a style that balances structure and freedom. The children are encouraged to push back their desks and learn to express themselves physically and artistically, in ways that may not be typical in conventional classrooms. In addition, teachers are given experience—and perhaps new insight—into ways to augment their teaching style with structured freedom, playfulness, individual self-expression, and energy release.

To request DiRRiD in your school, contact the Cultural Council of Santa Cruz County, 7960 Soquel Drive Suite I, Aptos, CA 95003, 831/688-5399 or 476-2313, or fax 831/688-2209  

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