Nanette Garcia, percussionist, composer, performer and educator, was born and raised in the Bronx NY. She studied Afro-Cuban drumming at The Harbor Conservatory of the Performing Arts in Harlem, NY, and has a Masters degree in contemporary classical composition.
Maurice Minichino, Jazz/classical pianist, performer and educator, was born in Milan, Italy where he earned a Masters degree in classical composition and piano performance at the G. Verdi Conservatory of Music.
The couple spent many years traveling the globe with their two daughters, performing and experiencing different cultures with particular focus on the creative aspects of each. One of their goals was to understand how traditions such as story telling in songs, instrument playing and dance are passed on to generations that follow. When doing field work in Cuba, they noted that from a very early age, children take part in rituals that combine drumming, chanting, dance and cooking special recipes in their homes and in the homes of relatives and neighbors. Intrinsically multi-disciplinary, this method of learning about, and maintaining their inherited culture, prepares them for an experiential style of education. This observation confirmed Nanette and Maurices philosophy that specifically combined disciplines, coupled with a deliverance that demonstrates deep commitment and enthusiasm, is the way to teach anything.
Talk n Drum is a brain aerobics class that includes listening and repeating words and phrases, and learning simple songs in a new language while playing various small instruments and moving the body to the rhythm. By speaking or singing in Spanish, Italian, German, French or Chinese, drumming and moving to the rhythm of the language simultaneously, participants are exercising the brain while acquiring a new communication skill. Whether it is a first attempt at speaking a second language or a long time desire to brush up on a second language,
The body and mind have a stronger connection than we know, and just like we walk the treadmill each day to keep the body healthy, the brain must be exercised on a regular basis to keep it functional as well. Keeping in mind the saying use it or lose, as we age it becomes even more critical to stimulate brain health. Studies show that brain challenging activities improve neural growth, promote cognition, recall and enhance memory skills. Research also shows that an active brain is 70% less likely to develop Alzheimer disease.
Brain activities or Brain Aerobics should be fun and new, not something you do routinely. Some of these activities include discussions about books, politics or current events, becoming computer literate, solving new math problems, studying a musical instrument and doing word puzzles.
Because the body and mind work together in the learning process, activities should be multi sensory. Participants of multi sensory activities achieve a deeper understanding of new information and a longer memory span.
WESTCHESTER NY
MANHATTAN
BROOKLYN
TELEPHONE: 914-245-5655
FAX: 914-412-5766
