Overview of Workshops
Taiko Drumming
Xiamen Shanggu Art Troupe are a Xiamen based Taiko style drumming group that combine traditional Chinese drumming techniques, martial arts and dance into their music. The award winning group have performed across China in festivals, TV and for many corporate events. Instructor Ahyee will be leading the workshops during the festival and is looking forward to introduce the style to a new audience. The workshop is aimed towards beginners and drummers with some experience. During the two days you will learn how to play the taiko drums, some basic martial art skills and how to perform as a Taiko ensemble.
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ACAMIS Big Band
This workshop will be led by Music Educators Jennifer Waite (SSIS), Miranda and Ernie Boyd (ISNSZ). The workshop is open to students who have at least 2 years experience playing their instrument. Throughout the two days you will embark on a musical journey that give you the skills to perform in a Jazz Orchestra (Big Band). You will learn how to be an effective improviser and how to perform a selection of repertoire within the Jazz genre.
Fashion Design
this two-day workshop students will examine the aspects of the Fashion Industry. There will be mini-workshops on Fashion History, Design, Illustration, Retailing, and Modeling (movement, makeup, choreography). Students’ finished artwork may be displayed in the final exhibition and we will culminate with a mini-fashion show in which the students model (*selections from the Drama Department.) Participants should bring the following with them a pair of dressy shoes that would go with an evening gown or cocktail dress and clothes and shoes you can move in. A fun and funky outfit of your own that you’d like to model Fun makeup or hair accessories you might want to wear or use (curling irons, hair gel, colored hair pieces, etc.) when you model A phone or camera to take fashion shots.
Robot Challenge
XIS's Technology guru aka Director of Technology 'John Lancett' will be leading the robot challenge workshop. The robot challenge is aimed towards students who have a passion and keen interest in technology. The challenge will involve students working in teams to create a robot prior to the convention that will then go head to head against other schools in March 2019. The exact materials, size, weight and tasks that your robot will have to cary out will be announced in late August 2019, so watch this space if this workshop interests you.
Latin Dance
Dancing has always been a part of Sofiia's life. Born in Lebanon and raised in Ukraine Sofiia Ashur is now making a name for herself as a dance instructor based in Xiamen. She is a very gifted dance instructor who has experience in a diverse range of dance styles, ranging from ballroom, hip-hop, salsa, bachata and more. During the two days you will be introduced to Latin Dance and work on a routine that will be showcased as part of the final performance. If you’re passionate about dancing and you feel the beat, join Sofiia's dance workshop at the Cultural Convention!
Devised Theatre
“YES…. I train monkeys on the moon…. AND…. We are out of bananas!” The idea of saying “yes...and” in an effort to move a scene forward is a central component in short form improvisational theater as well as collaboration in general. In this workshop, students will explore the edges of their comfort zones while developing their skills of acting in improvisational theatre activities. Some people make it look easy, but a great deal of skill is involved in sketches such as those performed on ‘Whose Line is it Anyway?’ This workshop will hone the skills of an actor’s audience awareness, creativity, and adaptability. They will practice taking risks, creating humor, and moving scenes forward. “Luckily for us, ELaMa（饿了么） delivers fresh bananas, and it will take just 45 minutes! Who has a phone with reception on the moon?”