South African song and dance workshops with Val Rogers.

Lively Up! Workshops offer a fresh, uplifting experience of community singing the South African way - inclusive, accessible, expansive, and above all - totally FUN!

See the Schedule to register for a full list of workshops and events.
Note: Advance payments are 100% refundable.

Scroll down to see the fun in action! The Phinney Ridge Gospel Choir sings Ga Gona Ya Swanang Le Jesu with Val Rogers after their workshop the day before.

Learn traditional and contemporary folk, freedom, and sacred songs from southern Africa with their accompanying rhythmic movements, (known as "actions"). Experience the integration of singing and rhythmic body movement as a natural, holistic musical expression. More information below.

Val presents these songs in their historical and social context and provides instruction in vocal tone, pronunciation, and movement. All music is taught by ear and actions by demonstration. Learning happens easily through mimicry and participants gain an authentic experience of this engaging style.

Materials are available to assist song leaders interested in incorporating this repertoire into their own groups.

Often, an additional benefit is the mixing of singers from different choirs and the networking and cross-fertilization that can result. It's empowering to congregate with people you've maybe never met or sung with, and merge yourselves into a rhythmic, harmonious, and potent collective musical entity. That's a big bonus beyond the excitement of integrating new sounds, rhythms, and motions. And it's a vital, culturally-authentic aspect of this music. This is a singing tradition that comes FROM and still exists FOR community-building. And it is this spirit Val seeks to share in these workshops.

Email Val at val@valrogers.org.