The History of Rap

Rap is unique among musical genres in that we can point to a specific time and place where it was created. We'll study the musical development of rap over the past four decades. We'll look at how Rakim forever changed a lyrical style originally defined by Grandmaster Caz and others, and how Jay-Z, Notorious B.I.G and their contemporaries perfected that style only to have it thrown on its head by Lil' Wayne. We'll study how beats went from live cutting of R&B records, to electro freakouts, to digital sampling of those same R&B records, and back to electro freakouts. We'll learn how albums like Doggystyle and The College Dropout defined their place and time the way no other piece of art could.

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Instructor:
Scott Neagle

Scott holds a BA from Bennington College in Mathematics and Music and a MS from Pace University in Teaching. He's taught music at various alternative high schools and liberal arts colleges for the past seven years, as well as a whole bunch of math and outdoor education. He's DJed more house parties than you, and worked to incorporate turntables in new ways in everything from chamber music to opera to overcomplicated indie rock. He's currently one half of the rap entity Heavy Jamal, which makes rap songs about Victorian novels and freak dancing.

The Power of the Voice

For acting, story telling, singing, and public speaking the principles are all the same. You will learn how to connect to the audience speaking truthfully with your whole self. The course will teach you how to relax in front of people, breathe properly, and communicate. The first class will feature a lot of physical warming up and vocalizing. You may bring a monologue, story, joke or song.  Over the next 4 classes you will hone your skills and practice your piece.

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Instructor:
Frank Ridley

An actor, singer, and story teller. Originally trained as an opera singer, was a regular member of the  Opera Company of Boston for many years.  Performed Boston by Sea and other historical stories for large audiences for many years in collaboration with noted playwright, Jon Lipsky. Television credits include; Boardwalk Empire, Law & order CI and SVU, Mercy, 30 Rock, and Brotherhood. His film credits include; The Box, The great Debaters, Underdog, and Edge of Darkness.