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19th Annual RNAF June 15 - 22, 2010 Tarkio River Lodge

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About the Workshop:

Join us this summer for our 19th annual Renaissance of the Native American Flute workshop here in Western Montana, June 15 - 22, 2010. Started by two unemployed school teachers in 1992, RNAF continues to develop as North Americas premier native flute educational event.

Co-sponsored by Ken Light of Amon Olorin Flutes, and R. Carlos Nakai, Native American Flute Music/Atoka' Music Productions, RNAF 2010 will feature elements of a new program format and educational revitalization of the week-long experience that has become well-known as the original and finest native flute specific educational event offered anywhere.

On-site for the entire event, R.Carlos and Ken, along with our wonderful third teacher, John Sarantos, combine longstanding professional careers as educators, performers, and flutemakers into anunprecedented and unique opportunity for anyone who is truly interested to really learn and increase their enjoyment of North America's indigenous flute.

Our curriculum, itinerary, and program offerings for RNAF 2010 will be organized around three main instructional groupings. These are: First year students, Second year and Returning refresher students, and a post-graduate, project-specific seminar for Advanced students.

Each of these groupings corresponds to a set of classes designed to accomodate the skill level and interests of each participant. Some classes will be organized according to the student's familiarity with the instument, playing proficiency, and development of personal music repertoire. Topics include: basic playing techniques and traditional ornamentations, developing your music in both improvisation and composition, learning to utilize Nakai's TAB system for Amon Olorin flute in composition and performance, physical characteristics of the nA flute including construction, flute selection, care and maintenance etc.

Other classes will address main topics of interest such as: traditional philosophies and historical/cultural information, how to work with students, developing programs and presentations, gaining access to additional learning resources, information regarding the native flute association, INAFA, discussing current issues concerning the native flute tradition, working in the studio and recording (includes recording session with professional recording engineer), making PF-Eagle bone whistles, field trips, and much more.

Advanced returning students who have completed the initial curriculum and wish to be considered for the graduate seminar will be asked to prepare a project proposal for the workshop. Projects in composition, performance, research, education, and other specific interests will be addressed and a teaching staff advisor/mentor will be assigned to work with each graduate seminar student accepted. Project proposals need to be finalized prior to the May 24th registration deadline, and seminar space is limited so please submit early. Details for submission will be provided upon request.

With so much to cover and limited time we will not be able to make arrangements for participants wanting to work outside these parameters nor can we accomodate unsolicited offers for participant presentations or teaching opportunities.

We try to schedule some free time into the busy six-day workshop itinerary, but days are quite busy with both morning and afternoon classes as well as evening presentations and special activities. We meet in large group for some classes, then break-out into smaller groups for specific interest and experience-level activities. First year participants may attend some of R.C.'s advanced classes with instructor permission and performance/proficiency audition in TABlature.

So, please come prepared to work but ready for a lot of fun!

First-time participants and those new to the flute will receive special attention. Our third teacher, John Sarantos, a twelve-year veteran of the event, will serve as liason and mentor for our first-time attendees and new flute players. Beginners will learn to play the flute and everyone will gain a real boost in the development of their flute playing. Plus an opportunity to hang out with the most awesome collection of nA flute energy on the planet in a truly beautiful place. What could be better?

Regardless of your current level of experience, there will always be the path ahead of you on your own flute journey. At RNAF our main goal is to assist you in developing your relationship with the native American flute and to better express yourself with its music. Come! There is a place for you at RNAF '08. Where else in the music world can you just show up to study with a musician at the top of his genre; to learn from an artisan whose work is considered to have set the contemporary standard for the instrument? And then theres John. All kidding aside, his classes are the most fun and you will learn a ton. RNAF is one of those "once in a lifetime" experiences that you have heard about. Grab your flute and join us for RNAF 2010.

SPECIAL NOTE: RNAF 2010 is once again a non-alcohol event.

INSTRUCTIONAL PHILOSOPHY: 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. 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.

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Your Facilitators:

Ken Light and R. Carlos Nakai - 1997

Ken Light, BA, MS, founder of Amon Olorin Flutes in 1986, is a multitalented artist, educator, and craftsman. Widely recognized as North America’s premier flutemaker, his over six-thousand flute contribution to this ancient tradition continues to set the standard for the contemporary native American flute. More importantly, Ken’s work has helped make it possible for a new generation of flute-players to experience for themselves the personal enrichment that comes from playing the native flute. Ken shares his expertise and insightful relationship with the native American flute in an articulate and personable teaching style. In addition to instructional offerings, Ken will hold a special private showing of a collection of his finest hand crafted instruments.

R. Carlos Nakai, BS, MA, is a Navajo-Ute artisan, educator and performing artist of American Indian culture and the on-going living traditions of his people. In 36 releases (including recordings with AWA, Canyon Records, Celestial Harmonies and EarthSea Records/PDK Productions) and on numerous public and privately funded film and video productions, as well as bringing the native American flute into realms of 21st century solo and ensemble performance, R. Carlos continues to introduce concert audiences worldwide to the expressive capabilities of the traditional and contemporary native American flute. You will study his copyrighted TABlature method for understanding the performance capabilities of the native American flute and engage in composing and performing your own music for Amon Olorin Flute.

John Sarantos

John Sarantos, BS is a professional educator who has attended the Renaissance of the Native American Flute workshops in Montana for 13 summers, 10 as a facilitator. He has taught students nine to eighty-two years old, most of whom have never played an instrument before discovering how simple it is to play the native American flute. John's speciality is working with folks in a gentle manner while stressing the non-musical theory approach. He has also written six songbooks for the native flute and is actively involved with using the flute in prisons and with cancer patients. John and his musical partner, Gera Clark, collectively known as NightDancers released their first CD, MONTANA CROSSINGS, in 2007.

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Tarkio River Lodge

We are excited to again welcome you to The Tarkio River Lodge as our site for RNAF '09. www.tarkioriverlodge.com

This is an absolutely beautiful secluded private property that sits right on the river in the famous and historic Alberton Gorge of the Clark Fork (of the Columbia) River, 30 minutes West of Missoula, Montana just off Interstate 90.

With a mile of river front, a pebble beach, deep pools in a cliff-lined canyon, large natural benches and all in the pines, Tarkio is a truly lovely piece of Montana at its best. Owned by David and Pamela Guth, these special folks have opened their piece of paradise to us and our group. They call it "The Center of the Universe".

The main lodge is a massive 3 story, 6000 square foot mansion that sits on the lower bench above the river. With large living/meeting spaces, huge fireplace, the main kitchen and dining area, and a really big covered deck around 2 sides of the building, this is luxury indeed! The deck has its own fireplace and spectacular view of sunsets over the Clark Fork River. A wide trail leads down to the river beach and firepit below the main lodge. Or, if the Montana night air is too cool for your taste, relax indoors by the fire or upstairs in front of the big screen TV.

Downstairs is a large daylight basement with slate patio under the main deck. It is comfortably appointed with another large sunken common area with fireplace and adjoining guest rooms with a nice big bathroom. Available for participants are two rooms with 4 bunkbeds/room and two single-bed rooms (surcharge $200 per room). We have allocated this entire floor of the lodge for our women participants.

The bunkhouse/bathhouse sits nearby and has a common room upstairs with bunks for 7. This space has been set aside for the men. Downstairs is another full kitchen and several nice bathrooms. Outside is an additional large privacy-enclosed shower.

Other options include "camping" in the Barn. This is a big restored vintage log building just across the lawn/meadow from the main lodge and bathouse. There is a spacious main floor we use for our large meeting room, but there is lots of room in the loft. You will need to bring your own bedding and additional sleeping pad if desired, cots are provided.

Camping: There are numerous places where you could set up your tent close to both the main lodge and bunkhouse on the grassy meadow, making both the bathrooms/showers and common areas a short level walk away. Camping really isn't roughing it at Tarkio as you will have all the indoor space and comfort of the main lodge and bathouse just a few steps away. Weather in late June is summer in the Rockies, mostly really nice, but we are still in the Pacific NW and Pacific systems can be cool and wet.

Where Tarkio has so many amenities, it lacks in-lodge space for couples, Last year a number of pairs stayed in little nearby Alberton at the Ghost Rails Inn B&B. www.ghostrailsinn.com. Good reports from last year. Other couples set up camp or RV'ed. We would hope your needs could be met on-site but realize that some participants may want upgraded private accomodations. Cell phone reception seemed fine right at the main lodge. There is high speed wireless internet on-site.

We will be asking on-site participants to take some responsibility for picking up after themselves. We will not have extra staff on hand for daily housekeeping and ask that you help keep the place orderly etc. It's flute camp. Make your bed. Pick up your towel. Take your muddy shoes off at the door. Help out a little with some of the chores if you feel like it. Cleaning and kitchen staff will take care of the big things. There are two sets of laundry machines on site and nine total bathrooms.

As the teaching and support staff will be staying in the lodge, we will have a policy of lights-out at 10pm. Other class spaces will be open for any late evening ativities.

Our professional kitchen staff will provide you with three great wholesome meals every day. We are planning to feed you healthy and really well. If you have special dietary needs, let us know and we will accommodate. Vegans and vegetarians are not a problem, our cooks are really versatile, but some may look forward to our annual guru night and a real Montana barbeque.

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Registration Information:

All registration arrangements will be made through Ken Light at Amon Olorin Flutes, 406-726-3353 or email: aoflutes@blackfoot.net. Please do not inconvenience the folks at Tarkio with questions they cannot answer. Just call or email me and I will do my best to help with any questions you might have.

Full fee for RNAF' 09 is $1275. This includes tuition, room and board, and instructional materials. A deposit of $600.00 is required on or before April 15, with the balance due by May 15. Personal check, MO, or Visa/MC are all accepted. Checks are preferred and should be made payable to: Amon Olorin Flutes.

Early registration is recommended as this is a limited-space event.

Field trip expenses and other optional recreational activities will be the responsibilty of participants as will all off-site accomodations.

Fee for all accompaning non-workshop spouses etc. will be $750. This is for site use, attendance at invited special events, and meals only. Rooming accomodations will be prioritized for workshop participants.

A surcharge fee of $200 will be added for each of the two ladies single rooms downstairs and for the wonderful restored Caboose.

All participants will need an Amon Olorin PF-Series flute for R.C.¹s methods classes. If you don¹t have one already see ordering information at www.aoflutes.com $67 plus $6 shipping.

With your registration payment, please include contact information including address and phone, email, emergency contact phone number, lodging preference and don¹t forget T-shirt size. A brief statement of your interest and activities with the flute and experience level will assist us in class placement and other program considerations.

Late Fees and Cancellations: A late fee of $200 will be assessed for registrations after May 15 if space is available. Cancellations before May 15 are refunded minus $200, within 29 to 10 days of the event minus $400. For cancellations within 10 days of the event, sorry, NO REFUND. Cancellation insurance is recommended. Talk to your travel agent.

To register, give Ken a call, email, or send in your registration deposit with requested personal and contact information.

All accomodations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Register early for best selection of on-site accomodations.

For more information contact: Ken Light, Amon Olorin Flutes, 73258 Lemlama Rd. Arlee, Montana 59821 (406) 726-3353 aoflutes@blackfoot.net

TRAVEL -Air travel should be into Missoula, Montana. Arrival day is Tuesday, June 15 and departure day is June 22. If you will be wanting the airport shuttle, you will need to supply us with your flight information for pick up and return. Airport shuttle will be $50.00 round trip, payable to the driver. If driving, Tarkio is 30 minutes West of Missoula on I-90. From the East get on the freeway towards Couer D'Alene and Spokane. Go past Alberton. Take the Tarkio exit, turn left at the stop sign and straight down to the river. You're there.

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