This giveaway is now closed.
Welcome to Day 5. Our next giveaway comes from Richard Maddock.
An experienced class musician, Richard Maddock composes CDs for ballet classes, choreography and relaxation.
For years, Richard was told by teachers, dancers, examiners and fellow colleagues that he should create CDs for ballet classes. “I wanted to have my music reach a larger audience, to inspire as many people as possible,” says Richard, “and to share my talents and music with others.” The result is several wonderful collections of compositions which Richard produces and distributes himself.
You may have seen Richard’s name and work on Dance Advantage before. I’ve reviewed some of his CDs and he kindly answered some of my questions in a short article series on accompanying dancers. He admits he’s not one for selling himself and so I’m going to do it for him, which frankly I find pretty easy.
The following, taken from the review linked above, best summarizes my thoughts on Richard’s compositions:
“Richard creates from a colorful palette of musical hues… It is easy to find inspiration in the material for the choreography of exercises because he paints attractive landscapes of sound… They encourage the student to perform the exercises rather than just complete them, which makes a teacher’s job easier in the long run.”
What you can win:
Richard wants to give away one Music for Movement and Imaginations CD to THREE Dance Advantage readers.
Designed for childrens’ ballet or creative movement classes, this CD includes exercises to help children develop their sense of musicality and is a favorite among teachers. The “Dance-a-Story” selections are particularly inspiring for young imaginations. You can read my detailed review but maybe you’re sick of hearing it from me.
Therefore, I’d like to share this unsolicited quote from one of our readers, regarding this very CD.
“One of my colleagues won the CD Music for Movement & Imaginations a while back when you featured the give away on Dance Advantage. At our studio we all share the CDs and I can tell you, between us teachers, it’s the most sought after CD for the childrens’ classes. I use Music for Movement & Imaginations every week with my young Creative Dance students. It’s a fantastic collection of original compositions.”– Diana Nicastro, San Diego area ballet and creative dance instructor
Listen to tracks from Music for Movement & Imaginations here.
She goes on to say, “Richard’s music inspires me as well as my students. I also purchased the Garden Within and use this for stretch – yoga – & Pilates workout. My students & adults love this music as it takes us on a journey of imagination beyond the studio walls; helping us to center, focus & renew our energy.”
How to enter:
Leave a comment at this post describing the characteristics of, or what you look for in your favorite CDs for dance class.
Since when is finding music for dance class this easy?
This giveaway is open worldwide and lasts until Saturday, November 13. Three winners will be drawn on Sunday.
I hope you’ll be a winner! Check back later for yet another giveaway.
Nichelle Suzanne is a writer specializing in dance and online content. She is also a dance instructor with over 20 years experience teaching in dance studios, community programs, and colleges. She began Dance Advantage in 2008, equipped with a passion for movement education and an intuitive sense that a blog could bring dancers together. As a Houston-based dance writer, Nichelle covers dance performance for Dance Source Houston, Arts+Culture Texas, and other publications. She is a leader in social media within the dance community and has presented on blogging for dance organizations, including Dance/USA. Nichelle provides web consulting and writing services for dancers, dance schools and studios, and those beyond the dance world. Read Nichelle’s posts.
I need new ballet music! I’m always looking for something new and fun! Anything that my kids will enjoy listening to. Thanks!
It has been very genorous of Richard as an artist. I find his music is very good for me to calm down and warm up both mentally and physically. Especially it helps bring out my inner self and straingth.
Warm regards,
Michelle
The music I love for teaching must have beautiful musicality, my favourite being Adagio. I love having a mixture of tempos and I love it when the music is long enough to be able to reverse the entire exercise without restarting the music.
I’ve really enjoyed listening to the samples of Richard’s music. Truly a talented pianist.
I am looking for new inspirational ballet music. I would love more across the floor music done in different tempos. I have had the same ballet cd’s for years and am definitely due for some new music.
I love teaching creative movement! This cd would be an excellent addition to my collection! 🙂 Thanks for such an awesome freebie! 🙂
I look for music that is easy to count-strong steady beats that the children can easily hear. Music that is fun and has a lot of variety from song to song. I also like want exerpts that can be used at barre, center and free dance.
We look for music that has a strong, recognizable beat.
I like music with easy to follow beats when working with a younger class.
I have a number of Richard’s CD’s and can honestly say that they inspire both myself and my dancers to perform…even when doing plies and other barre work. It is simply wonderful to have someone in our midst who know what teachers of ballet need to create the kind of classes our students desire and deserve.
I am always on the lookout for new ways of identifying music beats, notes, chords etc… When I tune into the music, I never forget a step. Dancers and choreographers who can make their dancers relate to details of music notes makes the dance come alive, drawing in and inspiring the audience, making the audience feel more involved. Everyone always commented that Michael Jackson was a fabulous dancer not because of his dance training, because he never went to a dance studio to take lessons, but he was a fabulous dancer because he knew his music.
This is the first giveaway of this kind that I enter. I love freebies! I also like dance class CDs that. You can sing along to. My little ones love this, and they learn better, and also retain the information. 🙂
Hi; I love catchy melodies, & a choice of a few different tempos or time signatures for the same exercise. I also love longer tracks!
really hoping to win one!!
I am always looking for new music for my ballet classes. Students need to learn rhythm along with the steps, and the music used in class is key in helping them learn. I like music that allows the students to count the steps easily, but is exciting and fun to listen to. Thank you for giving the chance to win one of your CD’s!
I am always looking for new music for my ballet classes. The students need to learn rhythm with their steps, and the music used in class is a great tool for them to learn from. It should be fun and exciting/entertaining to listen to. And the students should be able to count the steps with the music. Thanks for giving the opportunity to win one of your CD’s!
These look like beautiful creations
I like simple music that is easy for students to count esp in the beginning classes. A song that is catchy helps too since the students get caught up in the music when it’s something they like.
Thanks for all the freebies. They are great.
I like cds that catch the students’ attendtion and inpire them (and me).
I have enjoyed using your music for years. Right now I am looking for some new Ballet and Advanced Tap music.
Thank you so much for giving all of us a chance to win some freebees. Right now is a great time to be doing this so again thank you. If someone was giving away wishes I would wish for all the dance teachers to share dance knowledge with eachother. Can to imagine how wonderful all of our students would be.