The Sound & Motion Lab
A Spring Vacation Workshop with Arpeggione Ensemble & Movement Arts Gloucester
Presented by Montserrat College of Art
The Sound & Motion Lab workshop will be co-led by Arpeggione Ensemble musicians Emily Hale and Guinevere Fridley, and Sarah Slifer Swift of Movement Arts Gloucester (MAGMA), all experienced educators and performers in their own medium.
For curious creators of all backgrounds, intro to experienced students, ready to move in a supportive, experimental, active, and collaborative space.
- Location: The Bower, 248 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA
- Ages: 12-14
- Dates: April 20-24, 2026; 9:00am–3:00pm
- Tuition: $500.00 for the week
About the Workshop
What happens when you combine the energy of modern physicality with the raw power of live chamber music? Find out this Spring Break. Curious students are invited to a safe space for creation at The Bowery, Montserrat’s brand-new arts hub.
This isn’t a sit-still-and-listen class. It’s an active lab where we use improvisation and collaboration to build and create something entirely new. Whether you have a voice to use, an instrument to play, or a body that likes to move—bring them along!
Using music from Arpeggione Ensemble’s upcoming “Breath and Line” concert (May 1st) and active movement games inspired by Dalcroze Eurhythmics, we explore music through the body as well as the ear. Rather than sitting still and talking about music, students experience musical ideas- such as rhythm, phrasing, tempo, and dynamics- by walking, gesturing, improvising, and responding in real time to live sound. This playful, hands-on approach builds shared physical language between musicians and movers, helping students deconstruct the building blocks of composition and then collaborate on brand new creations together.
In this collaborative environment, we focus on:
- Mapping Space & Sound: Visualizing the architecture of music, moving to the beat!
- Improvisation: Finding your own voice in the moment, create your own expression!
- Mood & Meaning: Translating emotion into performance, take whatever feeling you want to express that day, mood to explore, and turn it into your show!
- Teamwork & Awareness: Balancing self-expression with the needs of the group, learning to listen while remaining yourself!
- Lead & Follow: Navigating the chemistry of live performance, boss or chorus, knowing your part and rocking it!
Meet the Creative Leads
Sarah Slifer Swift | Director of Movement Arts Gloucester (MAGMA) Sarah is a professional choreographer and movement artist who believes that everyone has a unique physical language. An Associate Professor at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, she specializes in contemporary composition and improvisation. Sarah’s approach isn’t about “learning steps”—it’s about physical problem-solving, spatial awareness, and the athleticism of performance.
Beverly’s own Arpeggione Ensemble brings classical music to life through imaginative, collaborative performances that connect music with storytelling, movement, and visual art. Founded in 2022 and led by musicians Andrea LeBlanc and Thomas Carroll, Arpeggione creates joyful programs that invite audiences of all ages into the creative process for all ages and backgrounds. Arpeggione’s world-class musicians perform on historical instruments and explore the stories behind the music. Their adventurous projects have included outdoor performances of a Beethoven symphony with dancers, live music for the 1922 silent film Nosferatu, and interdisciplinary programs with artists, educators, and community organizations across the North Shore.
For more information: [email protected]