Location: Brooklyn, New York (Park Slope)

Web Site: www.VocalMuse.com

EMail: VocalMuse@gmail.com

Joëlle Danant is a singer-songwriter-composer, improvisational vocalist, Native American (NA) flute player, certified MFP instructor in music improvisation, educator, and interfaith minister. Since her practice of playing the NA flute (2007), Joëlle has been invited to play at such events as One Spirit Learning Alliance’s Cosmic Mass (Fourth Universalist Society, NYC, September 19, 2008); as well as to take over the leadership of the monthly Great Spirit Native Flute Circle (One Spirit Learning Alliance, NYC). She also plays piano and harmonium for accompaniment.

Joëlle was recently invited to join a team of musicians who are also interfaith ministers, to co-create interfaith Taize worship services, using original and traditional chants from various traditions, guided meditations and prayers, for the One Spirit Seminary/OSIS in NYC (through which she became ordained in 2005).

Among other leaders, Joëlle co-leads the Hanuman Chalisa chant, a traditional hymn to the Hindu Deity Hanuman, made up of 40 verses in Abade (ancient Hindi language) using her original melodies and accompanying herself with the harmonium, at the monthly and annual Hanuman Chalisa events at Dharma Yoga Center, in NYC, as well as at Prema Yoga Center in Brooklyn, NY. She has also served as one of the “respondent” singers on several of renowned devotional musician Krishna Das’ CD’s and at his kirtan in NYC (Town Hall, February 4, 2009). Joëlle has been invited regularly as special guest singer to concerts and kirtans on the East Coast (annual benefit concert for the Bonobos & the Congo Forest at Jivamukti Yoga School, NYC, 2007 & 2008); Satya and Ma Kirtan, Anam Cara Foundation, Bedford Hills, NY, (2008-2009).

Joëlle offers regular Music for People satellite workshops called “Music Improvisation for the Soul” in her beautiful home in Park Slope, Brooklyn – please see MFP’s calendar of events for the schedule. Joëlle has been teaching vocal improvisation -- sometimes combined with movement improvisation – as well as sacred singing and music improvisation (all instruments), for adults in the New York/New Jersey area since 1997, as well as for the Dance New England Summer Camp in Poland Spring, Maine (since 2006).

Joëlle was formerly Chairperson of Music for People (MFP)'s Musicianship & Leadership Program (2001-03), and is a graduate from that program. She has served as retreat facilitator for the Foundation for Universal Sacred Music (2003), and instructor at the Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY (stress free series; 2004). Joëlle has also taught vocal music to youth, including classes on improvisational music, nature and eco-spirituality for the Urban Environmental Youth Corps/ YMCA of Jamaica (2006).

Joëlle has been studying and performing jazz, world music (especially singing Brazilian standards in Portuguese), sacred music, and integrated vocal & movement improvisation since 1994. Her original training was in classical piano for 7 years as a child.

Joëlle was part of a multi-media performing group -- involving visual art, dance and music -- as improvisational vocalist, music composer, dancer, and co-creator of performances' conceptualizations (2003-04). She has been occasionally joining other musicians to offer improvisational music for communities of improvisational dancers in NYC (Barefoot Boogie; and NYC Contact Jam) and in Poland Spring, ME (Dance New England), whereby musicians and dancers mutually inspire each other's creativity.

Joëlle currently serves as Academic Director at Pratt Institute's Center for Continuing and Professional Studies in Brooklyn, NY. Joëlle practices meditation, as well as yoga, chi gong, and tai chi.

In her teaching, Joëlle encourages:
- A sense of being fully present in the moment
- Non-judgmental acceptance
- Playfulness, spontaneity, and wonder
- Connectedness among breath, feelings, expression, others, and all surroundings
- Authentic, creative expression
- A sense of community
- A love of supporting one another
- Love and reverence for Nature and for the Source of All Creation

Joëlle’s songs, chants and instrumental compositions are soon to become available. Creations usually derive from improvisations or dreams, and also include turning poems and sacred text from various spiritual traditions into songs and chant; as well as creating customized songs and chants for individuals at ceremonies such as weddings, birthdays, and memorial services.

Joëlle has also been creating customized CD's of healing guided meditations upon request, especially to help individuals maximize their healing potential prior, during and after surgery. Joëlle holds a Master's Degree in Intercultural & International Administration from the School for International Training in Brattleboro, VT. She is the author of the self-published book "Balance from Inside Out: Healing Ourselves, Our Relationships, Communities and the Earth." She is available for performances, sacred music services, ceremonies, workshops and private sessions.

For more information on Joëlle's courses, workshops, and services, please contact her at VocalMuse@gmail.com.

Below are comments from past workshop participants -- Excerpted from their evaluation forms:

" [I liked:] Everything! Especially the smallness of the group. Joelle’s warm, supportive guidance, the availability of interesting instruments to play. Joelle’s apartment is a beautiful, sunny space for a small workshop. ... I really, really enjoyed our experience on Saturday. Thank you so much.
[I wished:] We could have kept improvising, the time flew by and it ended so soon!" Roni

"[I liked:] The intimacy of playing with a small group; your encouraging manner; the organic flow of the day; being reminded how staying with one activity for a long time brings Heaven On Earth!*; your ability to share your vast knowledge in wonderful skill activities; the comfortable setting of your home; everyone present ROCKED!!!" Amala

“The [warm up] exercises were good openings to loosen the muse!” Anonymous
“[The activities] freed me up, helped me find my child inside, allowed me to take risks...,
opened a door... .” Anonymous
"Great Workshop!" Anonymous

*Note from Joelle on this comment: I usually only stay with a given activity for a while if there is a flow for it :-).