Hello,

I know I am blessed to have the chance to spend time developing my skills in dance, singing, playing and making art. Lately I have been doing more dance than usual and also more yoga. It is amazing what some consistent work on the body, mind and soul can do.

I have total passion for Egyptian style drumming which I learnt from Ibrahim el Minyawi (with a basis from learning from other wonderful teachers). How these intricate, powerful and beautiful rhythms relate to the dance is constantly illuminating and satisfying.

Doing regular yoga has been helping to create the focus and energy necessary to learn dance choreographies. I have been learning from Sarah Hamilton who is a professional member of the Suraya Hilal Dance Company and also attending Suraya's workshops when she is in Australia.

I have also been working with Sarah Hamilton in the Mozaic Dance Co developing pieces where I play piano, accordian, frame drum and drum ( not all at the same time) It is wonderful to see musical compositions come to life through the movement of a dancer. We leave room for improvised sections and are always attempting to maintain a sense of the moment. At times it is like being conducted by the dancer. And other times it is me conducting the dance. Really quite an extraordinary experience as a musician.

The more I train in the dance the easier it is for me to understand the movement language and the easier it is for me to respond and communicate with the dancer through my instrument.

As usual I am working on a number of projects at the same time... There has been less time for gigging and recording, (or much else). I have been rehearsing with a new line up though which is exciting. Henry Lauer on six string bass, Pedro Altuna on percussion and Annalise Friend on percussion and vocals. Its great to have people to share my songs with. I am really looking forward to getting out and playing live again. We are also developing some great shared material as well with Annalise's spoken word as a starting point.

Sometimes I think i am crazy for working on drumming, singing, dancing, piano and accordian in lot's of different contexts. If only I just focussed in on one thing. But then i remind myself that it all feeds into each other and most " traditional" cultures trained in every thing. It's not about making products. It's about keeping alive practices which make being human more than a daily grind.

Intricate patterns and forms within music, movement and art which somehow reflect and communicate with the beauty and wisdom of existence.

Time for sleep,

any thoughts welcome

M