Embedded Files
Leyla McCalla:
Goals
Goals
- Experience a piece of Afro-Carribean music
- Deepen the experience through reflection, music-making, and art-making
- Explore the theme of feeling rooted and grounded
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Scroll down for a video and corresponding activities. You can replay the link for reference as you experience the activities below.
Video
Video
In this video, Haitian-American folk singer-songwriter Leyla McCalla performs "Lavi Vye Neg" at the David Rubenstein Atrium. Leyla McCalla finds inspiration from her past and present, whether it is her Haitian heritage, living in New Orleans, dancing at Cajun Mardi Gras, or growing up on the streets in Brooklyn. As a a bi-lingual multi-instrumentalist, cellist and singer, she has risen to produce a distinctive sound that reflects the union of her roots and experience.
Warm Up
Warm Up
Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola
Listen to the music. Take a deep breath in for two counts and out for two counts. Take a deep breath in for four counts and out for four counts.
As you inhale, stretch your arms above your head and slowly bring them down as you exhale through your mouth.
Continue to inhale and exhale. As you do, stomp your feet lightly against the floor. Stop. Continue to inhale and exhale. Clap your hands, slowly and then quickly.
Move your body to the music any way you like.
Reflection / Discussion
Reflection / Discussion
1. What do you notice about the musicians?
What instruments do they play? What instruments stand out? Why?
Do you think there is a leader in this ensemble? Why or why not?
How do the musicians move their bodies while they sing and play? What are their facial expressions
2. What do you notice about the music?
How would you describe the music?
How does the music make you feel?
Does this music make you think of images? What are they?
Activity Video
Activity Video
This video will take you through the extension activity below with a facilitator. You can choose to watch the video and do the activity along with it. Or, you can read the activity and participate by scrolling down.
Music-Making
Music-Making
Leyla McCalla uses her history and roots to shape her music. The rhythm can be considered the roots of this performance. We will explore our own rhythms to help us feel grounded. We will play rhythms using our body as an instrument.
Leyla McCalla uses her history and roots to shape her music. The rhythm can be considered the roots of this performance. We will explore our own rhythms to help us feel grounded. We will play rhythms using our body as an instrument.
We will make four sounds with our body: Stomp, Patsch, Clap, Snap.
We will make four sounds with our body: Stomp, Patsch, Clap, Snap.
- Stomp: Stomp the left or right foot against the floor. Or, stomp with both feet at the same time.
2. Patsch: Use the palm of your hand to strike your thigh. Strike your left or right thigh. Or, strike both thighs at the same time.
2. Patsch: Use the palm of your hand to strike your thigh. Strike your left or right thigh. Or, strike both thighs at the same time.
3. Clap: Clap your hands. Do this once, or do it several times. Try different rhythms.
3. Clap: Clap your hands. Do this once, or do it several times. Try different rhythms.
4. Snap. Use your thumb and middle finger to make a snap. Or, press them together to make a smaller sound.
4. Snap. Use your thumb and middle finger to make a snap. Or, press them together to make a smaller sound.
5. Play the song again and try the different rhythms with all these body percussion sounds.
5. Play the song again and try the different rhythms with all these body percussion sounds.
Art-Making
Art-Making
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensil
Supplies: Paper and Writing Utensil
Since Layla McCalla draws inspiration for her music from her roots, let’s explore our own roots through art.
Since Layla McCalla draws inspiration for her music from her roots, let’s explore our own roots through art.
- Draw a tree.
- Draw a line between the trunk.
- Add five root arms below the line.
- Add a word or symbol to each root, representing something that keeps you rooted and grounded. You may add root extensions to each arm with respective words or symbols.
Example: I drew a tree with roots with words (family, friendship, creativity, growth) and symbols (heart, music notes).
Example: I drew a tree with roots with words (family, friendship, creativity, growth) and symbols (heart, music notes).
Explore More
Explore More
Extension Questions:
Extension Questions:
What is the music from your roots? How do you feel when you think about the music from your roots?
What instruments are connected to your roots? How are they similar or different to the instruments in this video?
Why might it be valuable to explore music of others roots?
Additional Links:
Additional Links:
To learn more about Leyla McCalla, click here.
To learn more about the music in this video click here.
To watch more videos from Lincoln Center at Home clips, click here.
Share:
Share:
Tell us what you think! Email us at access@lincolncenter.org to share your thoughts on the activities and website. Post photos of your art projects using the hashtag #LincolnCenterAtHome.
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