A graduate of Brown University with a Master’s in Music Performance from NYU, Lifetime Arts Roster teaching artist, Lisa Spraragen is a classical and flamenco guitarist and dancer. This past year she taught three Creative Aging programs for us as a part of the Catalyzing Creativity in New York City initiative made possible by the Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation.
Lifetime Arts: What is your primary artistic medium?
Lisa Spraragen: Music. As a performer, I’m a classical and flamenco guitarist who also dances flamenco.
LA: How did you get started as a teaching artist?
LS: While in high school, I tutored a fourth grader who had to sit out gym classes due to a medical condition. I worked with her on music fundamentals, and it occurred to me to add some gentle movements that she could enjoy as we progressed. This student impressed me with her maturity and motivation.
That summer my guidance counselor asked me if I would give her classical guitar lessons. I had never taught anyone older than myself before, and she was my first official guitar pupil.
LA: What led you to working in Creative Aging?
LS: My partner, Josué Pérez, and I had given concerts in many of NYC’s public libraries, featuring Latin and original guitar music and flamenco. Often audience members would approach me to see if there was any possibility of starting a class at their library. The outreach director noticed this and recommended that I apply for an upcoming initiative with Lifetime Arts. Our first workshop was a bilingual guitar course which I called Voz de la Guitarra (the Guitar’s Voice).
I also had many previous years of experience of teaching music and dance to blind and visually-impaired adults as well as in the field of recreational therapy.
LA: What are the most challenging or surprising aspects of this work?
LS: The power of music to lift the spirit, ease movement, and improve memory, never fails to surprise, no matter how many times you witness it. The challenge of teaching in a group setting is to structure work toward a common goal, while creating an environment that also promotes individual expression and development.
LA: Tell us about the classes you taught this year with Mosholu Montefiore Community Center and Spring Creek Senior Partners, Inc.
LS: Live music is a vital and unifying element for all of my classes. My most recent workshop was Intro to Flamenco Dance at Spring Creek in Brooklyn. At Mosholu, I taught Latin Music & Dance, which was held in the winter, and Rhythms and Rhymes of the Caribbean, in the fall. I was inspired by this high energy group with a Bronx attitude. The moment the first workshop ended, the group demanded to bring me back for an encore session.
In both locations, I created programs which explored movements, songs, rhythmic structures, and poetry. I would like to thank the outstanding directors of these two senior centers for their full support and confidence in my programs.
LA: Tell us a short story that demonstrates the benefits of Creative Aging for participants.
LS: At the Spring Creek culminating event I asked each participant to speak briefly about their experience. One woman said that when she heard about the workshop, she didn’t think she’d care for it, but was curious to see what it was going to be about. She said she surprised herself by coming to class each week, and found that she enjoyed the camaraderie of the workshop. She turned out to be a natural leader, gravitating to the center of the dance floor. Another stalwart participant, originally from West Africa, said everyone knows that she loves to dance, but now her grand kids were asking her, “Granny, why are you flying like a bird?” She explained to them that she was practicing arm movements for her flamenco course (yes, I do give homework). She also attended every class, which goes to show that the more you dance, the more you want to dance!
LA: What’s next for you?
LS: This month I am teaching a flamenco dance class for adults of all ages, at Queens Public Library (Ridgewood). Josué and I have been performing “Guitarrazón” at various locations, and we are preparing a new program of all original compositions for the spring. Please visit our website: lisayjosueguitar.com for updates.
Thank you, Lisa!
Check out Lisa’s teaching artist profile, or search our Roster to find qualified teaching artists in your area.
*Lisa’s class with Mosholu Montefiore Community Center and Spring Creek Senior Partners was part of Lifetime Arts’ Catalyzing Creativity initiative and was made possible with the support of The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation’s Healthy Aging Program.
Interview and reporting by Lindsey Francis
Photo Credit: Jeremy Amar
