2020 is getting booked up fast with workshops from Keith Mullins.
Here is the email we send out to schools:
An update on my career, I won 2019 Music Nova Scotia’s “Educator of the Year”(for the 3rd time!) and Trad/Roots Recording OTY. Also, please check out a show I’ve been producing in collaboration with Carol Coutts called “Basinview Lunchtime Sessions.” Students spend choir practice learning east coast artist’s songs, then we bring in the artist to put on a show and film it.
Along with a songwriting trip to Los Angeles that I’m making in February, the month is filling up with school workshops in the Maritimes. I offer my “Rhythms of the World” workshops, songwriting, Cuban music/dance/language, and Modern Cape Breton music(in French and English) workshops in schools this year. I will be studying in Cuba from Jan 16-23, so responses may be limited from those dates.
The workshops are adaptable from pre-primary to university level.
Thank you.
Full Day “Rhythms of the World” Workshop:
For African heritage month, most schools purchase “Rhythms of the World”. The instructor is visited class by class all day, split up to the schools needs. Keith teaches a few classes different drum rhythms learned while studying in Ghana. Another might be a rhythm from Cuba and Keith plays guitar/sing in Spanish and the students play with him on Cuban percussion. At the end of the day, Keith puts on a performance based on what was taught in the day involving the whole school.
Topics include the evolution of the drum, involving how it travelled throughout the world via the slave trade and connecting to the 4 founding cultures of the Maritimes. This workshop is highly interactive and students always love to participate!
We usually end the day with a teacher performance taught on the spot and the students really seem to enjoy watching their teachers play and learn. Everyone has a lot of fun and the shows are educational. Price is $700. (I’ve been doing this workshop in schools across Canada for the past 17 years)
NOTE: A one hour show of “Rhythms of the World” can be performed for 400$
Cuban Salsa Music/Dance/Language Workshop
Marcel Nazabal(Havana) and Keith Mullins(Cape Breton) have developed a highly interactive Cuban Music Workshop for schools. Throughout the day, the different classes visit Marcel and Keith. Each class learns something hands-on and different from the other classes. At the end of the day, Marcel and Keith put on a one hour show based on what was taught throughout the day. The best classes get to perform their work in front of the whole school audience! PRICE 1000$ Studies include Cuban drumming rhythms, salsa dancing, singing and speaking Spanish.
Modern Cape Breton Music and Dance Workshop:
Keith Mullins and a fiddler spend the day working with different smaller groups, teaching something different to each group: a jig step to the young ones, a square set to the older ones, features for young aspiring musician students in the school and we sing a few songs. At the end of the day we do a larger school assembly talking about the history of Cape Breton music and where we are today. We feature the different classes and we end with a large Cape Breton style square set. Highly interactive and engaging, culturally rich, educational and fun! PRICE: 1000$. This workshop is available “En français”.
Songwriting workshop:
This workshop consists of Keith writing a song in 1 hour with 10-20 pre-selected students, then a one hour presentation is performed for the student body ending in the song written that day. If there are students that show promise in music, they can be featured in the whole school performance. This workshop breaks down the mysterious walls of songwriting and shows the students how to write, record, and perform a song.
Price $500
NOTE: Professional vids of any of these workshops can be done by Matthew Ingraham of Renegade Entertainment for an added $350. See example at www.youtube.com/thekeithmullins
Here’s what Sheila Lucas, former African Heritage Coordinator for HRSB has to say about the workshops:
As Facilitator for African Nova Scotian students, I’ve had the pleasure of booking Keith into our HRSB schools from elementary to senior high for the past 4 years. Keith is a very knowledgeable and experienced artist/presenter who has the ability to captivate students and teaching staff. He has researched Cuban and African artists and gives credit to the contributions that they have made to his craft. His interactive approach with his audience, as well as his talent and engaging personality make his performances memorable. Every performance is different and exciting! I look forward to the upcoming year Keith! Sheila Lucas, HRSB, Student Services
Prices are negotiable. If you would really love to have me but don’t have the budget, I will try my best to make something happen.
Keith Mullins:
-Songwriter, drummer, producer, multi-instrumentalist, father of 3
-Played 1000’s of shows in schools as far as NL to BC for the past 17 years
-3 time winner of Music Nova Scotia’s “Educator of the Year” (10 MNS awards, 3 ECMA’s, CBC Stan Carew’s “Troubadour of the Year”)
-The guy that wrote that “Fireflies” song
-Studied in Ghana, West Africa and Havana, Cuba, made an album in Havana and Music Degree from Dalhousie.