Thu, 18 May 2006
Music Workshop Announced
American singer Ashley Davis who will be giving two workshops for Manx musicians over the Bank Holiday weekend on the 28th and 29th May, 2006.
Singing and Song-writing Workshops
Sunday 28th and Monday 29th May 2006
Music Centre, Douglas
During the next Bank Holiday weekend, Kansas-born singer-songwriter, Ashley Davis will lead two workshops for Manx musicians.
An experienced performer and song-writer based in New York, Ashley has worked with top names in Irish traditional music and was a solo singer for Michael Flatley's 'Lord of the Dance'. Drawing on her experiences from studying at Limerick University’s Irish World Music Centre, Ashley will first lead a workshop on traditional singing techniques on Sunday 28th May. The next day, Bank Holiday Monday, she will lead a workshop on traditional song-writing skills. As well as composing her own melodies, Ashley sometimes sets new words to old folk tunes, and so will suggest ways of incorporating Manx traditional music into contemporary song-writing. As featured on her 2004 album, Closer to You, Ashley has already employed the Manx melody, "Arrane Oie Vie" (Goodnight Song), into her self-penned 'Rhiannon's Lullaby'. She also includes Manx songs in her repertoire while performing around America and hopes to learn some more songs during her stay in the Island.
Open to the general public, the workshops will take place between 2 and 4pm at the Music Centre, Lord Street, Douglas. The admission is free and is sponsored by the Manx Heritage Foundation. Those who are interested should contact the Manx Music Specialist, Dr. Chloë Woolley, to book a place on one or both of the workshops.
Email: manxmusicspecialist@mhf.org.im, write to her at Ramsey Grammar School East or telephone 811144 or 404455.
Ashley will also be performing a solo recital at Clinch's Celtic Tavern on the evening of Tuesday the 30th of May. As well as songs from Closer to You, this gig will feature new material from her forthcoming album.
More information about Ashley can be viewed at her website: www.daisyrings.com