From Iron to EDM, Workshops Run the Gamut

BLACKSMITH: BACK TO BASICS

Warren Rinehart has been teaching Blacksmithing 101 workshops since Winter Term 2014. Students in his class last Saturday worked on small projects – metal spoons and hooks – that could be completed in the one-day course. Rinehart said that blacksmithing is simple, but not easy.
“You’re learning to move metal with hammer on anvil,” he said. “It’s a skill that you develop with time, to get good hand-eye coordination it takes some practice.”
Rinehart’s blacksmithing shop sits behind the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum near Vergennes, and is cluttered with various metalworker tools and furnaces gathered over years of experience.
“I’m an orthopedic surgeon by trade, and I retired four years ago,” he said. “I’ve been blacksmithing for about 40 years as a hobby, and it continues to be a hobby that’s kind of gotten out of hand.”

EDM PRODUCTION

Jack Tipper, super senior Feb and professional electronic dance music producer (read: jacktipper.com), is leading, for the second year in a row, an intensive workshop on how to make the next club banger. The workshop is taught exclusively in Ableton Live 9, a digital music sequencer available on the CFA’s instrument-equipped workstations. It is a program the likes of which Calvin Harris or Zedd might use. Students selected songs they admire, and over the course of the term are learning how to create original music in a style of their choice.
In class, Tipper focuses on electronic sound design, arrangement and emulation theory within software synthesizers. He also discusses sample warping, digital effects, mixing and mastering — the kind of tweaks that professional producers handle on a daily basis. The best part: participants will end J-term having crafted an impressive audio file for their final project. Who knows — maybe the local clubs will put one of the tracks on their rotation.

HENNA STUDENTS LEND A HELPING HAND

Hands On Henna participants have spent the J-Term learning how to doodle with plant-based dye. On Saturday, Jan. 23 workshop leader Mariam Khan ’16.5 led students to Project Independence on Exchange Street where they put their skills to work.
“For the people at Project Independent, it’s cool because a lot of people here don’t know about henna,” Khan said.
Most students in the class had never worked with henna before, but Khan said many had discovered they a natural talent. Participants began practicing basic patterns and shapes on paper towels to finally freehand on themselves, each other, their friends and community members like those on Saturday.
Sibylle Saunders, who received a henna design from one of the students, said the class challenged Elderly Services members to try new things. “We love when people come. I think it’s wonderful that the old folks are willing to expand their comfort zone.”
Gerry Maysonhad, another Project Independence elder, agreed. “This is a treat for us,” she said. “We don’t get this very often.”
Next Saturday, Jan. 30, students will again volunteer their skills in a fundraiser for MAlt Mexico, an alternative break trip to Mexico organized by Khan.

JAMAICAN DANCE & POP CULTURE

Jillian-Jo Duncan-Taylor ’18, who hails from the island of Jamaica, wants to bring her home’s culture to students here in a workshop that is simultaneously a cultural learning experience and a PE class. This workshop explores various dance types, featuring a blend of Jamaican dancehall and reggae moves. Participants will have the opportunity to learn both cultural dance and the aspects that bring the dance together, such as dress and speech. Motto for the month: Get ready to move like an islander!

MIDDKID GYMNASTS JUMP AROUND

Handstands, Backflips and Tumbling! introduces beginner gymnastics to the basics of acrobatics. The workshop description promises “a challenging and athletic experience…eight-pack guaranteed.”
Yvonne Chan ’16, Anja Kuipers ’18, Tess Weitzner ’18.5 and Joel Wilner ’18 comprise the four-member board of Midd Acro, an acrobatics organization for students of all skill levels. Chan said many students are curious about gymnastics, but intimidated because they have little to no experience.
“Gymnastics can be kind of daunting if you’ve never done it before. We’re trying to include as many people as possible, so this is a great way for beginners to join in,” she said. “Our workshop is mostly beginners, but our club Midd Acro tends to be not beginners because it’s hard to just jump in and learn this stuff.”
Chan added that the workshop, in its second year, quickly reached its capacity of 27 participants.
Sammy Abdulrahim ’19 decided to join the class to improve flexibility in his back. “It’s great,” he said. “The coaches are very accommodating.”

LEATHERWORKING: DEERSKIN MOCCASINS

Alden Laev ’18, native Wisconsinite and Mountain Club winter guide, is teaching his fellow students the way of the woods: leatherworking, specifically with deerskin. Moccasins are great shoes for the fall and serve as comfortable slippers in the winter. Historically, the moccasin is the footwear of many indigenous peoples of North America, and they are the shoe of choice for hunters, traders, and (back then) European settlers. In this workshop, participants will learn how to design and craft their own soft-sole moccasin shoes using natural leather and thread.
Mr. Laev promises experience the satisfaction of working with your hands to create a durable, wearable product. In addition, you will learn how to design a shoe to fit your foot, create a model and use simple and elegant leather sewing techniques. Leather working experience is not necessary. All materials and tools will be provided. Participants will leave this workshop with a pair of handmade moccasins to wear around their hunting lodge, tent or dorm.