Marni Levitt: Artist Statement
I am a singer, a songwriter, a dancer, a drummer, a yogi and a painter. I share my passion for
these art forms/practices with others through performance and teaching. For me, what these
multidisciplinary arts have in common is that they are all direct expressions of the soul. Singing
and dancing are beautiful and complex art forms because the human body is the main
instrument. The body is capable of moving, inspiring and creative expression. It is also the
starting point for connecting to physical and emotional health. African and African diasporic
music and dance can be transformative art forms. Calling on ancestor spirits and traditions, the
spirits of the musicians, as well as the materials used to make the instruments, the creation and
performance of African music is inspired by spiritual as well as material realms of human
experience. Creating and performing within these traditions is usually a communal rather than
individual practice. The integral spirituality, connection with tradition and community, as well as
the support for individual expression, make African music profoundly moving for me.
I have experienced the transformative power of music and dance firsthand. My sister was an
athlete and a dancer – she passed away 16 years ago. Music became a healing force in my
life. My sister became my ‘ancestor’. To this day, I often feel the presence of her spirit when
writing and performing songs. Healing from grief has necessitated work on a physical,
emotional and spiritual level. Through this experience, I have come to understand the
importance of approaching music in a holistic way (engaging with mind, body, emotions). I
undergo profound changes in my physical, mental and emotional states when I engage with
music this way, and particularly so with music from African traditions.
In many African cultures, the term ‘music’ means many things, including: singing, dancing and
drumming – this definition of music is implicitly holistic. I have found that one of the best ways
to learn, or teach music holistically is to engage the body through dance and song. I have the
experience of feeling close to my sister when I dance; she loved to dance! Singing sends
positive vibrations through the body, which can be energizing and relaxing. I feel joyful when I
sing and dance; I feel compelled to share this joy with others, through performance and
teaching.
Yoga is an ancient tradition from India. It was one of the first holistic systems of learning. It was
originally created as a way to make sitting meditation easier (by stretching and relaxing the
body). Yoga means “union”; union of mind, body and emotions or spirit. Yoga practices
include: guided meditation, relaxation (dhyana), chanting, breathing techniques & exercises
(pranayama), yoga postures (asanas), healthy eating and positive thinking. Yoga changed my
life! It has been a dependable, reliable way to practise being in the present moment. It has
opened up many possibilities for me in my creative work, connection with others, and life
experiences. Sharing yoga (through teaching), can be even more relaxing and rewarding than
my own practise! I will never forget the first day I tried yoga with some students I was working
with: we did alphabet letter poses, animal poses, headstands and chanting. At the end, one of
the students (with a physical disability) through his arms around me in a big hug to say ‘thankyou’.
In addition to teaching yoga, music, drumming and dance workshops, I have worked for several
years in public school teaching special education (for children with physical/developmental
disabilities); I have also taught music and dance to a mainstream population of children using
the Ontario Arts Curriculum. Regardless of who I am working with, I have found that teaching
is most effective when students learn through experiences (in other words, when they engage
their bodies, minds and senses ie. sight, smell, taste, touch, hearing). I have also found that
learning is enduring when it is meaningful: when learning material reflects the community
context students find themselves in, and when it conveys cross-cultural and ecological
understanding. Teaching material from African music and dance traditions (as well as yoga)
has allowed me to reach students on many levels. I have yet to meet a student who does not
enjoy yoga, singing, dancing and drumming! Sharing what I have learned from various African
and Indian traditions has allowed me to teach in a way that is effective and enduring. More
importantly, teaching and learning this way is fun!
Learning yoga, as well as learning music holistically (ie. through singing, dancing and
drumming) can achieve many aims, beyond simply learning techniques and cultural history. It
can help students learn how to understand themselves, how to cooperate with each other, and it
can improve mental and physical health. Many recent studies have shown that mental health is
one of the most important issues facing students today. School boards are responding to this
reality with special programs. I am a yoga/music/dance teacher with an integrated approach to
teaching, and a passion for improving the lives and health of students. I trained as a Yoga
Teacher with Sivananda Yoga Vendanta International. I have been studying African music and
dance traditions in different ways for the past several years in Toronto (with teachers such as
Amadou Kienou, Mohamed Diaby, Njacko Backo, Elisha MacMillan, Kwasi Dunyo, Steve
Mancuso). I have also worked with vocal coaches working in Jazz and avant-garde traditions
(Sienna Dahlen, Fides Krucker). My studies inspire the quality and content of my singing,
dancing, song writing and performance. I also draw from this richness when I teach children and
youth.
Learning Yoga as well as African music and dance traditions has helped me to find my voice: a
physical, emotional, social and spiritual conduit from inner to outer worlds. I feel compelled to
continue to share my voice, and to give voice, through performance and teaching.