Cheng-Feng Lin (Canada) "The Imaginary Elastic"
Eurhythmics: expressive movement, interpretation, phrasing, gesture improvisation, stretching the elastic, historic Dalcroze lesson plan, Emile Jaques-Dalcroze repertoire
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"The Imaginary Elastic"
A VDM Masterclass with Cheng-Feng Lin (Canada)
Elasticity is a movement quality for materials to stretch and recoil. We can find this ‘living’ quality in the functional movement of daily life —for example, when we reach to pull the curtain. We can also play with this quality by manipulating an object, such as an elastic band. We may further engage this dynamic force as artistic expression—visualizing and manipulating an “imaginary elastic”, as Jaques-Dalcroze indicated in the Plastique Animée text (1916).
How would the exploration of elasticity enrich our musicality?
We will dive into this topic with various phrasing motives, and with guided movement/vocal improvisation. To conclude, we will work with an Esquisse composed by Jaques-Dalcroze. With a deepened awareness from the session, we may engage this dynamic movement quality more consciously in the way we listen, move and create.
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Based in Toronto Canada, Cheng-Feng Lin started his full-time Dalcroze studies under the inspiring community at the Longy School of Music led by the late Lisa Parker, where he received the Certificate, License, and M.Mus in Dalcroze Eurhythmics. He later obtained the Diplôme Supérieur from the Institut Jaques-Dalcroze in Geneva. He is the co-director of studies for Dalcroze teacher-training programs for Dalcroze Canada.
Masterclass #44 was originally given on October 19/20, 2025.
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