Striking Chords: A Workshop Investigation of Tension & Vibration in Performance

How does vibration and resonance take form through physical and sonic manifestations in performance? How might our awareness of tension in and around us inform our behavior and decisions when performing? What elements classify performance and how might our daily habits intersect with those associated with performing? 

This workshop prioritizes spontaneity, play, and engagement to deepen one’s relationship to their own instrument and process for the sake of resonant impact. Through a series of physical, theatrical, and musical exercises, we will identify how tension shows up in the body when performing or in our every day, and understand the difference between tension in service of artful messaging or a hindrance of flow. Inviting curiosity surrounding one’s limitations or tensions, this workshop aims to make sense of contradicting impulses and recalibrate toward effective emotional resonance. 

Participants will be immersed in a collaborative process involving singing, movement, and improvisation alongside conversations and reflections about metaphysical resistance to better understand and embody evocative messaging. 

Aishia Lin

Aishia Lin, originally from Calgary, Canada, is a New York based multi-hyphenate artist. In addition to an extensive movement background, she has rich interdisciplinary training as an actor, singer, improviser and writer. She culminated her scholarly and artistic research by developing an individualized major -- Comedy & Catharsis -- to attain her BA at NYU Gallatin. 

Aishia's integrated philosophy has enriched her own professional journey which spans from works at Radio City Music Hall, to self produced films, choreographing internationally, and various pedagogical offerings. Aishia is committed to the chase of finding a cathartic laugh when meaning-making and hopes to share in that collaborative effort across a vast expanse of artistic projects.

Matthew Dean Marsh

Matthew Dean Marsh is a composer, performer, and writer based in New York City. He studied music composition at NYU Steinhardt. He has music directed the RealAD show since 2019 & the NYU Reality Show since 2014. 

Marsh has traveled the world as a vocalist, composer, and musician and has worked extensively with both undergrad and graduate performing arts students around the world, including New York University, American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NYU Abu Dhabi, Shanghai, and Cincinnati College of Music.