WORKSHOP LEADER

Profile

Deborah "DJ" Hamouris has been involved in music all her life, playing piano beginning at the age of 5 and continuing through a BA in vocal music. She was founding director of Gaia's Voice, a Pagan Chorus, and East Bay Harmony, a community a cappella choir, as well as music director for the Reclaiming Spiral Dance from 1999-2001. While at CSUH, she created Musica delle Donne, a music festival of compositions by women, which continues annually.

DJ has recorded, performed, directed and taught music in the Pagan community for more than two decades. Recordings include "Welcome to Annwfn" (1986 with brother Rick Hamouris), "The Chorus of Life" (1990 with Gaia's Voice), "Let It Begin Now" (1997 with Reclaiming), and Moonrise's "Songs of Love, Magic & Other Mysteries" (2003). Her rendition of "Angel of Bells", on "The Chorus of Life" was chosen by Serpentine Music for "The Best of Pagan Song" CD (2004).

DJ conducts vocal ensembles (including Women & Song, a new women's choir), sings, plays mountain dulcimer, composes, and arranges music. Besides performing with Moonrise and her jazz trio, DJ teaches voice, mountain dulcimer and music literacy at her home in Oakland. In her spare time, she is a practicing witch, loving grandma & wife, who knits and communes with her cats.

Workshops

Circlesinging
Circlesinging is a vocal improvisation technique in which a circle of singers takes melodic and rhythmic cues (parts) from a skilled leader, together creating songs unique to the moment. As the leader cues out old parts and introduces new ones, the song continues and changes without stopping, at time supporting individual solos, always grounded in attentive listening. Participants are welcome at any level of singing experience.

Introduction to Mountain Dulcimer
Also known as the Appalachian Dulcimer, this 3- or 4-stringed instrument is a joy to play. Learn a few tunes in the basic D-A-D tuning and begin to have fun with this most simple of American instruments. Dulcimers needed; a few loaners available.

Photo Gallery

DJ Hamouris & her folk trio Moonrise

DJ & her jazz trio at their home cafe, Nomad, in Oakland, CA

Contact
www.ninshibar.com/music.htm
ninshibar@ninshibar.com
662 Fairview St.
Oakland, CA 94609
Tel: (510) 595-3915