Above: RNAF 2015 participants before their recital. Left to Right: Teacher Ken Light, John Hilsenbeck, Orville Chigbrow, Carol MacIntyre, Jeff Miller, Cheryl Miller, Agatha Light Podrasky, Sandy Robbins, Michael Mehling, Elaine Higgins, Karla Long, Don Alvarez, Teacher R. Carlos Nakai.
Above: Drumming and rhythm around the campfire at RNAF 2015.
Above: RC and Ken instruct students on how to make the sound producing mechanism in replica eagle bone whistles at RNAF 2015 at the Blacktail Ranch.
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The Native American flute has a long tradition of cultural use as an instrument of personal expression, a means to honor the feminine principle, ceremonial uses, and to entertain at social gatherings. The overall goal of our RNAF workshop is to provide participants with practical knowledge, tools and methodologies, cultural and philosophical frameworks; a wealth of solid information, practical application, and artistic exploration in order to access this unique instrument in the context of personal self-knowledge through musical expression. Instructional style and technique relies heavily on principles of oral tradition, as well as innovative contemporary educational methodologies.
Our intent shall always be to respect and hold in high regard the experiential traditions that are and will continue to become the on-going history of North America's indigenous flute. At RNAF, we will render injustice by declaring the overt miscegenation of classic colonization and cultural reductionism as prime examples of the further manifestations of civilization and progress. We shall continually acknowledge in all aspects regarding the Native American flute, its craftsmanship, performance, and derivations that serve to reinforce the importance of the musical instrument in the cultural realm both past and present.
Instructional Philosophy
RNAF 2016- To BeAnnounced
Begun in 1992, RNAF continues to develop as North America's premier Native American flute specific educational event. Co-taught by flute maker Ken Light of Amon Olorin Flutes and performing artist R. Carlos Nakai, twenty-one RNAF workshops have been held in Montana, Arizona, and Hawaii. On-site for the entire event, R. Carlos and Ken combine their longstanding professional careers as educators, performers, and flute-makers into an unprecedented and unique opportunity to learn to play the Native American flute.
Class topics include:
- Basic playing techniques and traditional instrumentation
- Developing your music through both improvisation and composition
- Learning to utilize R. Carlos Nakai's TAB system for Amon Olorin flute composition and performance
- Physical characteristics of the Native American flute including construction, flute selection, care and maintenance, etc.
- Traditional philosophies and historical/cultural information
- Discussion of current issues concerning the native flute tradition
- Working in the recording studio and a personal recording session with a professional recording engineer
The Renaissance of the Native American Flute Workshop