“The
illusion, the music, the ‘moves’, the inventive
props, the fun, the history and the beautiful, energetic dancing
make Brian’s show a huge hit.”
Pine Grove School, Rowley, MA
Long-time international performer, dance
educator and swing dance choreographer, Brian has been
offering dance workshops and assembly programs through
Young Audiences of Connecticut since 1983, and he was
their Performance Artist of the Year in 1999. Brian can
claim a Masters Degree in Education; guest lecturing in
dance at Yale and Wesleyan Universities; Adjunct Professor
of Dance at Naugatuck Valley Community College; and teacher-trainer
at the National Dance Association annual conference.
During Brian’s dance workshops
and stage performances, students feel history come alive
by learning authentic dance steps from American history
in a high-energy atmosphere filled with positive reinforcement.
Students gain confidence to improvise steps and to perform
choreographed routines while exploring the joys of solo,
partnered and team composition. Brian also explores the
many dynamic facets of culture and music that have accompanied
and influenced the way people have cut a rug over the
past three hundred years.
Dance in America:
(grades K – 6):
Seen your students dance lately? Your students will be
dancing for at least half of this program. Originally
a touring “hoofer,” Brian performs the only
dance program of its kind, demonstrating over
thirty-five dances from ballroom, roaring
‘20s, country, jazz, Latin, American Bandstand,
MTV and more: waltz to watusi, charleston to cha cha and
lindy hop to hip hop. Brian trains seven students to help
him perform many of the partnered and group dances for
this presentation. History, humor and period music accompany
each selection.
Brian is an accomplished student of piano, percussion
and voice. He has toured Denmark, Austria, Russia, England
and Wales as a singer with the Waterbury Chorale and the
Yale Alumni Glee Club. He is a regular piano/vocalist
at senior centers and retirement communities throughout
Connecticut. Brian has produced three CDs of original
songs at his recording studio in Connecticut. He has been
a member of the Connecticut Songwriters Association and
BMI.
Salute to Song
in America (grades 1 – 8, adult):
Brian’s musical history of America’s glorious
and outrageous songs, singers and composers since 1620.
His exquisite voice and the amazing, multimedia
mix of live and prerecorded music, biographies and history
combine for a masterful teaching and performance experience
that guides students through the Revolution, minstrelsy,
Civil War, ragtime, roaring ‘20s, blues, swing,
Broadway, rock and everything in-between, all with live
instrumentation, impersonations and an audience that’s
the supporting, sing-along cast.
History of Rock ‘n’
Roll: 1950 - 1965 (grades 4 – 12, adult):
Unlike any history lesson you will ever see, it’s
Brian’s impersonations, costumes, props, original
sound bites, stand-up piano-playing, radio commercials
and attitude which reveal the story of rock’s
origins through gospel, rhythm and blues and country
and western. Meet the personalities and songs shaped
the music of doo-wop, Motown, girl groups, surfin’,
soul, novelty tunes and much more: Little Richard
to Beach Boys, Chuck Berry to Beatles, Elvis to Supremes.
The Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame delivered
to your space Sh BOOM!
Song, Dance
and the Possibilities (grades k – 6, families): Brian’s most popular program! Children
participate on the creative side of the equation. Share
in Brian’s ultimate, anyone-can-write-a-song and anyone-can-invent-a-dance
experience. Learn the predictable ingredients that make
a song or dance a “craze,” but then dare to
break the rules to create something extraordinary:
change the rhythm, lyrics, melody or style of a radio favorite;
sing a ragtime classic in a doo-wop style; add rap rhythms
to a jazz tune; or try “Hound Dog” as a waltz.
Then dance a Charleston to Latin music; perform hip-hop
moves to a piece by Mozart; try a dance that’s half
disco and half polka. Students learn to trust their ideas.
Yes, positive things happen when children feel the magic
of their own inventions.
Song, Dance and the Possibilities
– the Holiday Version (grades K – 6, families) :
Flying reindeer? Dancing snowmen? Students invent outrageous
new versions of some old, holiday song favorites and then
create a hip, holiday dance to a funky seasonal tune; all
this while exploring language, poetry, music and pop culture.
Ho Ho Ho!
Brian’s
School/Library Family Program:A
Grand Night For Singing and Dancing (grades K – 6, families, fairs, festivals
and private gatherings)
Brian’s program for families, fairs, festivals and
private gatherings. Rhythm and Music is a festive, interactive,
family program geared for the mind, body and heart. Parents
and kids share the joy of song and dance in a showcase of
tunes with fabulously cool melodies, lyrics and rhythms.
There is a surprise element of fun and challenge with each
selection as Brian’s musical mischief gives audiences
a chance to create some hip dancing and a sing-a-long groove.
Brian’s repertoire also includes tunes from his Parent’s
Choice acclaimed family CD,
Different Drummer; songs with
themes like Walkin’
To School, I’m A Dancin’ Man, I Can Do It Better
Than That and I’ll Be Singin’.
Audiences get a big-time, show-biz chance to show
off in front of friends when Brian needs help completing
a musical phrase or funky move. Join the fun-fest which
gives kids and parents a chance to laugh, think and create
together. Your space will be filled with joy, enchantment
and upbeat melodies that have the “potion
to set ‘em in motion.”
Library Programs
Brian offers two dynamic library programs for adults and
energetic participatory program for children and families.
Brian is a performance/educator with Young Audiences of
CT and a Master Teaching Artist with the CT Commission on
Culture and Tourism. The Evolution of Rock and Roll
– PowerPoint and Listening Program:
Rock’s First Twenty Years, 1950 – 1970
(teens and adults)
Blues
Gospel
Country Swing
Jump Blues
Doo Wap
Rockabilly
Instrumental Rock
Toon Idols
Surf Music
British Invasion
Psychodelic Rock
Soul Music
New Orleans
R&B
Girl Groups
Motown
Folk Rock
Political Vibes
Southern Rock
County Rock
Art Rock
Funk
Heavy Metal
Punk
more...
Brian's
musical knowledge and sense of humor had our audience
begging for more.
Lisa Timothy, Asst. Director, East Lyme Library
Join music historian, Brian Gillie for from one to four,
two-hour sessions of PowerPoint lecture, interactive listening
and discussion which investigates the origin, development
and demise of the outrageous and glorious rock ‘n’
roll styles that dominated the top-forty charts between
1950-1970.
Hear examples of sure fire and the unlikely songs that succeeded
in music categories: R&B, doo-wop, girl groups, surf
sound, British invasion, folk, Motown, soul, psychedelic,
progressive, bubblegum, novelty and much more.
Listen to songs that defined a generation and discuss artists,
politics and culture. It’s an interactive session
of music, education and the best songs ever recorded!
History
of Early Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Performance (grades 4 through adult)
Brian Gillie sings his way through a solid gold multi-media
performance titled “The History of Early Rock ‘n’
Roll,” with a humorous and historical perspective,
tracing rock’s origins through gospel, boogie-woogie,
rhythm and blues, country and western, Chicago, New York,
Memphis, ‘60s dance fads and much more. It comes packaged
with costumes, props, original sound bites, radio commercials,
stand-up piano playing and attitude. And be prepared for
impersonations of the pioneering personalities who shaped
the music of doo-wop, Motown, girl groups, novelty, romance,
surfin’ and soul including rockers from Elvis, Chuck
Berry and Dion to Coasters, Beach Boys and Beatles. Sh
BOOM!
Watch Brian’s YouTube clip at the Eldredge Library,
Chatham, MA, First Night, 2011
For Your Children's Programs: libraries
are free to choose from the dynamic programs listed under
“Combined Programs
of Song and Dance” above, full
of exhilarating tunes, moves and participation.
For Your Seniors' Programs: treat them
to Brian’s accomplished piano and singing renditions
of America’s Songbook Standards found on the “Seniors”
page of this site. Crisp, fresh arrangements from the golden
age of song. Brian is the master!
Family
and Community Programs (all ages) Brian customizes his programs listed under
“Combined Programs of Song and Dance” for Family
Nights, Fairs, Festivals, Scouts, Private Parties and YOUR
special occasion.
Finally Consider the positive impact of Brian’s dance
and song workshops and extended residencies whose detailed
descriptions are located on the “Workshops”
page.
