ARTSEDGE: The Kitchen Sink

Students learn about the history of the violin, its distinct role in the orchestra, and its ability to resemble human “singing.” Students will also be introduced to “pizzicato,” the quick, light rhythmic technique created by plucking the strings. Students listen to Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto.

En esta lección se aprenderá hacer el paso básico o balanceado – un paso para adelante o para atras que lleva su peso ligeramente, balanceandose hacia donde empezó. Es rápido, asi que use pasos ligeros y transfiere unicamente el peso necesario para que se levante el otro pie. Entre los pasos de balanceado, muevese rapidamente los pies para completar el triple paso. Se puede contar 1, 2 (para el paso básico), despues cha- cha- cha (para el triple paso).

In this lesson you will do a rock step—a forward or backward step that takes your weight just slightly, rocking you back where you started. It is fast, so stay light on your feet and transfer only enough weight to enable lifting the opposite foot. In between rock steps, get those feet moving quickly to complete the triple step. You can count 1, 2 (for the rock step) then cha- cha- cha (for the triple step).

Students learn about the composer’s selection of the right “voice” or instrumentation from the four sections of the orchestra: string, woodwind, brass, and percussion. Students are introduced to music by Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and Leonard Bernstein.

Need a reminder of Bachata basics? Just remember 1, 2, 3, tap and 1, 2, 3, tap. The tap on beat 4 and 8 gives a rhythmic accent to the dance steps.

Students are introduced to the concept of music as a language and how music is able to tell stories, convey emotions, and invoke thoughts. Students also learn how stories, thoughts, and emotions can be communicated without words.

This lesson incorporates the basic Salsa steps we learned before—forward/back, side step, and cumbia (or ½ swing)—but adds a new sequence of three steps that combine to form the cross-body lead with a follower’s turn, ending with a leader’s turn.

Meet Nick Kendall, violin soloist and host, and Ankush Kumar Bahl, conductor, as they welcome you to The Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra's Young People's Concert.

Ricardo and Elba introduce three new moves that will make you feel like a dancing pro—just as long as you keep bending your knees to the beat.

Jason and the band perform the standard, “Summertime.”