WRAP Summer Course

The WRAP Summer Course provides professionals and enthusiasts in music- and movement-based fields with the skills and knowledge they need to be informed and effective. WRAP instructors represent the top of their fields, with years of experience as professional performers, and educators. Classes focus on developing a working knowledge of instruments, rhythms, dances, songs, styles, methods, and applications for real world use in educational enviroments. The unique WRAP mulitple-discipline approach to arts education cultivates essential music, movement and life skills while fostering a respect and appreciation for other cultures through enjoyable and inventive educational processes.

The 2009 WRAP Summer Course will take place August 3- 7 at the magical Brairwood Retreat Center in Argyle, Texas (just 30 minutes from Dallas-Ft. Worth airport). Please use the links above to explore the WRAP summer program and don't hesitate to contact us with any questions. Online registration and credit card payments are available. Space is limited and early registration is recommended. Join us and celebrate learning and life through music, song, and dance.

Featured Courses

The World Rhythms Arts Program is proud to offer the finest World Music curriculum available with specially designed courses covering the most widely used traditional instruments and musical and movement forms. These intensive hands-on courses are designed to get you playing, singing, dancing and sharing with your students and communities right away.

The Drum Course

The Drum Course will help you play, use and teach percussion instruments with skill and confidence. The course offers everything from basic skills to complete music and dance experiences. This beginner-friendly program takes you through a step-by-step process of learning and applying the building blocks of rhythm, drumming skills, traditional music, and teaching process. Designed specifically for Music Professionals, this is the only course to offer Percussion Certification(TM) as an option. More »

West African Drum and Dance

Immerse yourself in the traditional music, dance and culture of West Africa in a dynamic, high-energy environment with 100% culturally authentic material. Play the jembe, dundun, xylophones, and other traditional instruments. Based on the book/dvd/cd, West African Drum & Dance: A Yankadi Macrou Celebration, the village environment springs to life as you drum, dance, and sing your way through an easy-to-follow curriculum fostering teamwork, social skills, and joyful expression. Experience and explore the energy, grace, and power of traditional West African Performance Arts. More »

Please explore our program offerings and don't hesitate to contact us for more information on any of the courses.

WRAP Faculty

The World Rhythms Arts Program is dedicated to offering the highest quality instruction available - anywhere. All WRAP teachers are not only professional, active musicians and artists, but dedicated teachers, passionate about their artform and educating and empowering others. The WRAP program advocates a holostic approach to music and movement education offering the highest-quality technical instruction combined with unparralled cultural knowledge presented in an imaginative and easy-to-learn format. Additional guest teachers may be included in the WRAP program.

Kalani

A classically trained, World Music Percussionist, Kalani has toured with musical legends from Barry Manilow to Yanni, and played on TV and Film soundtracks for most major studios. He has authored 7 books, 15 videos, 5 DVDs and been granted numerous awards for his work as an educator, percussionist, and drum circle facilitator. Kalani is a certified Orff-Schulwerk specialist and co-author of the BGCA's Music Makers Program. He is a featured presenter at conferences world-wide, and a Drum Circle Music (DCM) Trainer. Kalani travels worldwide as a clinician, performer, educator, and Artist in residence. www.kalanimusic.com

Ryan M. Camara

Ryan M. Camara specializes in performing and instructing the traditional music and dance of West Africa. He received formal training in Ethnomusicology at UCLA and underwent a twelve-year traditional apprenticeship, making annual trips to Guinea, West Africa, where he was adopted into the "Camara" family. Ryan is an active performing and recording artist, respected clinician, conference presenter, curriculum designer and author. Currently, Ryan is an Adjunct Faculty at Southern Oregon University and Artist in Residence for the Arts Council of Southern Oregon. www.ryancamara.com

WRAP FAQ

• Q: Do I have to sign up for specific classes?

  • You can go to any classes at any time, however, we encourage students to attend classes that are suited to their proficiency level. All students will have the opportunity to progress through each course during the week, play all of the instruments and work closely with each of the instructors. Some students have specialty areas they wish to focus on. (IE: West African Drum and Dance Certification) and they may choose to spend more time on a particular subject.

• Q: What does the price include?

  • Everything - Classes, Meals and Lodging

• Q: Can I bring my non-student family members at a discount?

  • Yes. If you would like to bring a friend or family member (child or adult) who will not be attending classes, you only pay the course fees (room & meals). Call us for details.

• Q: Can I come for just one or two days?

  • Because continuity is important to us, we ask all participants to come for the full duration of the course.

• Q: Can I have a single room or do I have to have a roomate?

  • In an effort to keep prices as low as possible at the retreat center, the course tuition is double occupancy per room, meaning you will have a roommate. Single rooms are available for the additional retreat center fee of $100 for the entire week as space allows. Please contact us for single room availabilty.

• Q: Do I need to bring all my own drums or will there be some there I can use?

  • The WRAP Summer Course will have some drums available to use during classes such as congas, djembes and dunduns. In general, there will be plenty of drums to go around. We recommend brining a drum if you have one and can transport it.

• Q: How many people will there be at the WRAP Course? What is the average class size?

  • Registration is limited to 40 people. Class size will depend on the subject. For example: Advanced drumming (8-12), Beginning drumming (10-20), Combined (20-40), Students are not required to attend specific classes and in most cases, will have optional activities available to them.

• Q: What does an average day at the WRAP Summer Course look like?

  • There are no average days at WRAP! - Classes for all levels are offered throughout the day with a general drum & dance class in the afternoon and evening. There are beginner and advanced breakout groups. Schedules are designed to offer students of all levels the opportunity to maximize their learning and enjoyment while at WRAP. You will attend an average of four classes per day, with additional activities at night.

• Q: What should I bring to the WRAP Course?

  • Clothing: Colorful, Comfortable items for dance and evening jam sessions. Enough for 4-5 days.
    Bedding: Bedding is provided, but you are welcome to bring your own pillow and blanky.
    Toiletry Items: Towel and wash cloth, soap, toothbrush, shampoo etc.
    Other: Notebook & Pen, water bottle, camera with extra film & batteries, yoga mat (optional), tape/band-aids for your hands (just in case you can't stop drumming!), audio recorder (no video taping of classes, but performances are fine).

• Q: What airport should I fly into?

  • Dallas-Ft. Worth is 30 minutes from the Briarwood Retreat Center.

• Q: Will someone pick me up from the airport?

  • We are unable to pick every participant up from the airport. We can, however, help connect you with other participants who will be arriving around the same time to help share taxi or shuttle costs. Please contact us about your travel plans ASAP.

Briarwood Retreat Center

Situated on over 70 acres of beautiful woods, Briarwood can comfortably house over 160 guests in a variety of settings - including rustic cabins and modern motel rooms. The center of the facilities includes: two large activity fields, several miles of hiking trails, pavilions, a volleyball court, horse shoe pits, meeting rooms, and excellent dining facilities.

For pictures, descriptions and directions visit the Briarwood Retreat Center website at www.briarwoodretreat.org.

Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information on any of the courses.

Registration

Online Registration is now available for the 2009 WRAP Summer Course. Clicking the "Pay Now" button below will take you to the PayPal secure server where you can register and pay for the camp online with a major credit card, debit card or PayPal account. The 2009 Wrap Course is $950.00 (USD). We are pleased to offer an early registration discount of $100 to participants who register before June 1, 2009. Please don't hesitiate to contact the WRAP program if you have any questions.

2009 WRAP Summer Course. August 3 - 7, 2009. Argyle, TX - Early Registration
Registration price includes double room, 3 meals per day (lunch Monday to breakfast Friday) and all programs. Registration price does not include transportation costs to The Briarwood Retreat Center. CEU's may be available for an additional fee. contact the WRAP program for more details.	$850.00 Please Contact Us For Details.

Please don't hesitate to contact us for more information or questions.