Teaching

As detailed below, Manisha offers assembly programs and workshops. To inquire about hiring Manisha for an assembly or to lead a workshop, please send an email with details about your school or event.

BRIDGING HEMISPHERES STUDIO
Manisha’s performance coaching is designed to help singers and musicians bridge communication gaps in the process of working with each other and in presenting music to audiences. Beginning in 1993, Manisha began to work on overcoming one communication gap after another on the path to becoming the performing songwriter and band leader that she is today. Her expertise lies in her ability to help you a develop a system for achieving your musical goals by introducing you to a set of 10 practical tools that she has identified in the course of her own journey.
Please see this flyer for details and introductory rates.

Assembly Programs
Manisha can make a short presentation of 15 minutes as part of a school assembly that features multiple agenda items or her program can be longer (45 to 60 minutes). Assembly fees are determined on a case-by-case basis with an effort to work within the hiring organization’s budget.

Raga and Tal Sing-Along is a program presented with accompaniment on tabla (North Indian Classical Drum). (Grades K – 5)

Manisha Shahane - Live is a concert program available in either solo or band format. The solo show features Manisha on voice, piano, guitar, and frame drum. She can also appear with a band, accompanied by an upright bassist and/or multi-percussionist/drummer. She will incorporate flute, electric guitar, strings, or horns, if the budget permits. (Grades 5 – 12)

Workshops
Manisha offers workshops for smaller groups. The length of each workshop can be tailored for each environment and age group, whether it is for a summer camp, after school program, or during school hours. If we are able to schedule more than one workshop at your school or in your district in a single day or over the course of the academic year, then we can negotiate the overall fees accordingly.

From SaReGa to Raas is a song, rhythm, and movement workshop that begins with a short solo musical presentation, followed by group vocal and theatrical warm-ups leading up to the Raas dance (pictured), and ending with a cool-down. Throughout the program, Manisha plays a variety of music samples and provides opportunity for dialogue and reflection. Fees are $100 for a 60-minute session or $150 for a 90-minute session. Recommended for groups of 15 to 40 people, including teachers and assistants. (Grades K – 12, as well as for adults)

What students have written about the From SaReGa to Raas workshop

These are journal entries (unedited) written by students aged 9 – 14 in response to a Writers’ Express writing prompt asking them to focus on one aspect of the workshop:

“The beating of drums. The clicking of sticks. It was all part of an Indian dance that I learned in the gym. It was taught by an Indian woman who did these rituals often. Before dancing she taught us a scale that she sang in her native (Indian) language. It was like do, ray, mi, but in a foreign language. She taught us the scale step by step, one interval at a time. When she sang it, I looked around the circle that had gathered in the gym. Many faces were just as blank as mine was. We were asked to repeat the scale after her. The words sounded rusty and new, since I have never spoken it in my entire life. My mouth struggled to form the words and sounds that had come out of the Indian women’s mouth. With more and more practice, the words practically flowed out of my mouth like water flowing down a stream. I realized that the scale was not as hard as it seemed. The first time is always the hardest.” -Brian

“Looking around I saw the clapping of happy sticks. “1, 2, 3, 4, 5!” Manisha’s voice rang out as a huge smile got stapled to my face. All of these people making one big mass of sound. Rhythm was at my fingertips as I thought about my next move as fast as a car on the run. “Faster!” Her voice rang in my ear, as if I had just picked up the phone and there was her voice. Feet stomped around, adding on to the adventure of the moment. People danced around freely, making up their own special moves that seemed to fit like a glove. My eyes dazzled and my sweaty hands kept moving. We were a machine, and no one was superior to another part like the world should be today. Before, I thought I would never have been in the shoes I was. I thought it would just be embarrassing. I was wrong. The rhythm, pounding away at your head softly. The sticks carefully being clunked together. A new experience being born as your eyes looked around at other faces. No frowns, not one. Everyone looked like Santa Claus, a little red in the face from all the moving around and feeling jolly. My hands are definitely grateful for something new to do.” -Mary

“One moment that struck me was when we first started dancing in just one group. It was very exciting, it reminded me when I was in 3rd grade when we danced swing. Also htat moment was very encouraging that this camp was worth it. An that this is really nice people working together and helping one another. Also the rhythm of the music at that moment, it was different than what I usually listen to on the radio, or CD, or tapes. As well as the singer’s singing. They were all in tune. One other thing that I noticed in the at moment was everyone had a different expression on their face. Some happy because they really knew the dance well. But others were nervous and quiet, because they weren’t sure of themselves. But overall everyone seemed confident. Everyone was ready to try something new like Indian Dancing.” –Ramone

Singing for Your Soul is recommended as an early morning or after school/work workshop for teachers, parents, administrators, mature students, managers, and basically anyone who wishes to explore the meditative power of vocal warm-ups. The workshop combines Indian and Western warm-up exercises that are soothing and can be repeated by each individual on his or her own time. There is no prerequisite – anyone can participate. One benefit is being able to hear your voice singing with others without having to learn lyrics or commit to regular rehearsals, as would be required in a choral setting. It can help non-singers become more comfortable with their voices, while singers can develop new techniques. For this workshop, having a smaller group of participants (8 to 15) is better, because Manisha provides some individual assessment during the session. Having worked in a variety of environments, Manisha knows how quickly the day passes without pause. It is her hope that this workshop will help start the day on a good note or offer respite at the day’s end. The workshop can be offered as a 45-minute session. The fee is $125 per session for up to 15 participants ($75 for non-profit or public sector).