Dancing Through Time
THIS IS A FREE 45 MIN PRESENTATION OUTREACH PROGRAM OFFERED BY
HOUSTON EARLY MUSIC
We examine how dance music evolved from Medieval through the Baroque Period.
In this time frame, we include a guided discussion and music performances by professional musicians. Students take an active part in learning basic dance steps of that time.
This program provides Texas Essential Knowledge Skills
in the following ways:
Perception/Response/Evaluation:
Students describe, respond to, and evaluate music
and performances.
Historical/cultural heritage:
Students relate music to history, society, and culture,
and analyze musical sound and artistry.
Interested in hosting this presentation?
Please contact Pedro Funes at info@houstonearlymusic.org
Meet the Musicians
Yvonne Smith
Based in Houston, Yvonne Smith performs on modern and historical viola throughout the United States and Canada. She earned her Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees from Rice University studying with James Dunham. Yvonne recently founded La Speranza, a chamber music group that specializes in performing repertoire from the Baroque through early Romantic eras on period instruments. Her 2016-17 season includes performances with Mercury: The Orchestra Redefined, La Speranza, and Bach Society Houston, as well as historical and modern ensembles in Austin, San Antonio, Los Angeles, and Boston.
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Ellis Montes
Ellis Reyes Montes is a multifaceted and dynamic musician whose specialties run from Renaissance consort music to free improvisation. As a wind player, he has performed as a soloist in the Moore’s Opera House in Houston and in Ganz Hall in Chicago. His playing has also been featured in professional organizations such as Ars Lyrica Houston, Les Touches Consort, and in the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra. During his graduate studies as a bassoonist at the Chicago School for Performing Arts and undergraduate at the University of Houston and Longy School of Music, he has sought to broaden his knowledge of historical context with his pursuit of early music under the tutelage of many professors, including bassoonist Andrew Schwartz and flautist/oboist Kathleen Staten. In addition to his performing career, Mr. Reyes is a high school English teacher at Harmony School of Advancement, Houston.
Pedro Funes
Pedro Funes is currently the Assistant Orchestra Director at Oak Ridge High School in Conroe ISD and Director of the Aquila di Guerra (HS Viol Ensemble). He graduated from the University of Houston where he majored in Double Bass performance under Dennis Whittaker. In addition, he received his Master's Degree in Early Music at Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where Mr. Funes studied viola gamba and vielle with Wendy Gillespie and performed baroque bass in the IU Baroque Orchestra under Stanley Ritchie. He was the Teaching Assistant for the Beginner Viols at Conclave 2016. Pedro has performed across the state of Texas with Ars Lyrica, Texas Early Music Project and Principal Bass with Austin Baroque Orchestra. Currently he is the President of Viols of Houston, President of Houston Early Music and Director of the Young Players Weekend for the Viola Da Gamba Society of America.