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Norbert Rodenkirchen, medieval flutes; Beverly Akhurst, yoga instructor
Join Early Music Vancouver, Medieval flautist Norbert Rodenkirchen, and Beverly Akhurst of Ocean Breath Yoga on Monday, June 11th for an afternoon of mindfulness and music at the Centre for Peace at Canadian Memorial United Church in Vancouver. Once thought of as a means of communication between humans and the divine, the Medieval flute has a long history as part of traditional Christian mysticism and meditative practices. Norbert Rodenkirchen’s contemplative, chant-like flute playing will be accompanied by moving meditations led by Beverly Akhurst. This event will meld together two culturally disparate meditative traditions and offer participants a new way of approaching their own mindfulness practices.
This event will include moving meditations and yoga poses, but is appropriate for novices. If you do not have a yoga mat or would prefer to participate standing or in a chair, please select the appropriate option while purchasing your ticket(s).
On Tuesday, June 12th, Norbert will be performing Medieval Echoes – Contemplative Flute Music from Notker Balbulus to Guillaume de Machaut and Beyond at Christ Church Cathedral. Tickets for this performance start at $36.
Norbert Rodenkirchen, medieval flutes
Norbert Rodenkirchen studied flute at the Staatliche Musikhochschule Köln with Hans Martin Mueller and Günther Höller. He has been the regular flute player of the internationally renowned medieval ensemble Sequentia since 1996, and also works regularly with the French-Croatian ensemble Dialogos directed by Katarina Livljanic. With both ensembles he has been invited to numerous international festivals. Norbert Rodenkirchen additionally collaborates intensively in a medieval duo project with the acclaimed singer Sabine Lutzenberger.
He is also much in demand as a composer of music for theater and film, as well as a producer for CD projects. His main partner in modern music is the violinist and composer Albrecht Maurer. Norbert Rodenkirchen as served as artistic director of the concert series “Schnuetgen Konzerte – Musik des Mittelalters” in the medieval museum of Cologne. Additionally he has given workshops on medieval instrumental improvisation at renowned academies like Mozarteum Salzburg, Musikhochschule Koeln (Cologne), Schola Cantorum Basiliensis or Conservatory of Lyon, a.o.. In 2012 he released his third solo CD Hameln Anno 1284 / Medieval flute music / On the trail of the Pied Piper and was invited with that program to many outstanding festivals and early music series in Boston, Vancouver, Oslo, Paradyz, Copenhagen, Moscow, nd elsewhere.
In 2016 Norbert Rodenkirchen celebrated two personally important anniversaries: 20 years as a member of Sequentia, and 15 years of the solo programme Tibia ex Tempore.
www.norbertrodenkirchen.org
Beverly Akhurst, yoga instructor
Beverly began teaching yoga nearly 8 years ago after 15 years following the practice in various forms. She found a deep understanding of how much it affected and improved her health and how stress released from her life (body and mind) when anchored in a daily practice.
3 and half years ago she opened the studio when she found herself unable in larger studios to be able to work with individuals on the practice they needed rather than the one that could fit everyone.
There was not the possibility of truly spending the time to allow individuals to connect to a practice that worked for their unique bodies and lives.
With a desire to give people the time to understand the anatomy they have been gifted in this lifetime and to understand how their lives could affect their cellular and mental bodies, she found a beautiful space on Granville Island and settled into the work guiding people to be their best selves.
Beverly’s spare time is dedicated to continual growth and learning
“Just as the fascial networks of our bodies need to be stretched and moved to allow the very essence of our physical beings to remain healthy and strong, so do the networks of our minds and our hearts. Learn at least one thing every day, breathe at least one deep breath every day, hug at least one loved one or stranger every day, take at least one moment to be still every day and feel gratitude for the beauty that surrounds us at least once every day and see how life changes.” ~ Beverly
