There's nothing that lifts the spirits more than working with live music.
A couple of months ago I danced with the Farha Band while up in Newcastle for a brilliant weekend of music and dance organised by Farida Dance (aka Kay Taylor). Despite feeling very out of practice and slightly self-conscious - having no glitzy costume or hair piece because I hadn't expected to dance - once I was out on stage with the band behind me, all my worries evaporated, I felt the music in my body and danced with joy. So, my advice would be to never pass up an opportunity to work with musicians.
Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend a workshop with Hazel Kayes and Tim Garside in Stroud, where I live. Hazel is a very generous teacher and Tim is a drummer extraordinaire, who plays not only a variety of percussion instruments, but also the nay (Egyptian flute). Tim and I will be working together in November when I go to teach in Jersey, so it was a good opportunity to immerse myself in some drumming. In spite of everyone feeling rather rusty and out-of-condition after the Summer break, working with Tim gave us all renewed energy. For many people there it was the first time they had worked with a drummer, but judging from the enthusiastic response, certainly not the last!
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