Panda Van Proosdij
Panda van Proosdij (NL) studied at the Rotterdam Dance Academy in the Netherlands. She has been a teacher at Codarts, Music Theater in Rotterdam and worked with The Netherlands Children Choir, The Netherlands Female Youth Choir and Wilma ten Wolde as a movement coach and director. For thirteen years now Panda has been working on her method / philosophy: 'Voice & Physique' This method is about supporting the voice by creating a good physical awareness and a way to let movement contribute to the quality of singing. She gives workshops and masterclasses 'Voice & Physique' all over the world and creates Choireography * for different choirs and their events. In April 2014 her book 'Voice & Physique' has been published and her 2nd book 'Choireography' was launched in April 2019.
In 2014 and 2018 she created the winning program of the Aarhus Pigekor with conductor Helle Høyer Vedel during 'The World Choir Games' in Riga and Tschwane- South Africa. In 2015 they won the Silver Rose Bowl of 'Let the Peoples Sing' in Munich, Germany. As an atelier leader Panda has worked in different European festivals: Europa Cantat (Mainz 2006, Utrecht 2009, Bonn 2008 +2010, Pärnu/Estland 2011, Turin 2012, Bergen 2014, Pécs/Hungary 2015, Lyon 2017, Tallinn 2018) and for AMJ Eurotreff (Wolfenbüttel 2007 +2017), Leipziger Symposium für
Kinder – und Jugendstimmen (2011) FCEC 48 Festival Internacional de Cant Coral (Barcelona, 2013), Choralies (Vaison-la-Romaine 2016 +2019), Leading Voices, Utrecht NL 2022.
Panda also directs musicals, light opera and music theater performances. She started her own theater company PANDORA werktheater in 2016 in Amsterdam. www.pandorawerktheater.nl In 2014 she won an award for 'Best Director' and in 2016 for 'Best Choreography'.
*Choireography is a term that Panda invented to point out that her work is about movement which supports singing.
from voice & physique to choireography
festival atelier
duration: 4 days total 12 hours
Voice & Physique is a method developed by Panda van Proosdij about supporting the voice by creating a good physical awareness, a healthy posture and finding the right balance between tension and relaxation in the body. Next to these elements this method also explores three important interrelated components: energy, concentration and focus. Working on these components can increase the level of musicality and dynamics which can result in a higher level of performing. By going through all kinds of physical exercises in this workshop you'll feel how this method can contribute to your vocality and musicality.
Next to working on letting the body support your vocal instrument Panda will work with you on some pieces to let you move and sing. She'll create the choireography for a few chosen pieces for the workshop.
Choireography is an invented word by Panda which reflects suitable movement for singers.
Singing can benefit from supportive movement, formations and staging. Panda will show how a functional choireography can help dynamics, pitch and phrasing and how to really enjoy motion while singing.
When you use your body in an optimal way it is easier to connect, find flow and to be able to work together as a group on stage.