Discovering the Art of Beatboxing and Dance
It was a mic drop heard around campus. Students in both divisions dove into the world of beatboxing and movement, discovering that sometimes the best instruments are one’s own voice and body.
After watching beatboxer Match (aka Michael Wingate) and dancer, choreographer and beatboxer Simba (aka Ethan Graham) perform together in “The Missing Element,” a show that combines different types of street dancing and beatboxing, choral teacher Caitlin Adler thought it would be “super cool to bring this combination to Masters.”
Adler partnered with her performing arts colleagues Jen Carnevale, Katie Meadows, John-Alec Raubeson and Jason Reiff to coordinate workshops with Match and Simba.
On April 6, Match and Simba performed for the middle school community to showcase their respective art forms: beatbox (a form of vocal percussion used to mimic drum machines and musical instruments) and krump dancing (a form of highly energized, exaggerated street dance moves).
Nzinga Tippitt-Wilhite ’32 said Match and Simba had “a great flow, and I really enjoyed how creative they were and how they kind of bounced off of each other and how it wasn't rehearsed.”
On April 9, the guest artist duo worked with upper school students in Dobbs 16, 1877 Vocal Edition and Tower Singers, along with seventh and eighth grade dance students, MastersSingers and another group of middle school students for a bonus workshop.
Acknowledging that she and her classmates thought it was a very cool experience, Tippitt-Wilhite added, “I also enjoyed how we actually got to learn some new techniques in both crumping and beatboxing.”
Emilia Maschang ’28 enjoyed learning about the similarities between different art forms: “While beatboxing and krumping are often depicted as very different from classical music, it was incredible to see that certain breathing and performance techniques are shared. I especially enjoyed having the opportunity to be vulnerable with my classmates in trying new things together and discovering different talents that we all have.”
Emilia Maschang ’28 enjoyed learning about the similarities between different art forms: “While beatboxing and krumping are often depicted as very different from classical music, it was incredible to see that certain breathing and performance techniques are shared. I especially enjoyed having the opportunity to be vulnerable with my classmates in trying new things together and discovering different talents that we all have.”
Carnevale, chair of the Department of Performing Arts and Dobbs 16 director, thought the residency was “awesome” and announced that beatboxing will be offered as a co-curricular in the Upper School starting in the fall and as an instrument option when students sign up for private lessons. Match will teach all classes.
“I love that we were able to expose students to beatboxing as an art form and method of personal expression, and I am excited to continue to offer students exposure and opportunity with this art form,” Carnevale added.
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