2026
Rachel Bernsen & Kyoko Kitamura Workshop
Sound and Movement Improvisation Practice: Enhancing Multi-Sensory Awareness
Saturday July 11, 2026
5pm
$20 admission for all the day and evening events
Ibeam Brooklyn as part of Brooklyn Free Spirit Festival
168 7th St. Brooklyn, NY 11215
Full Festival Schedule
Veteran artist-educators Rachel Bernsen and Kyoko Kitamura will take the group through accessible movement explorations integrating sound and movement.
This practice draws on their extensive interdisciplinary work together, as well as their rich experience working with artists such as Anthony Braxton, Yvonne Rainer, Matthew Barney, and Audra Wolowiec. The workshop uses Bernsen’s Toward the Unknown framework and Kitamura’s extensive research into structured improvisation, resulting in a unique three-dimensional, embodied improvisatory performance practice which fosters a deep awareness of multi-sensory perception.
This workshop will lead the participants through the process, culminating in a short, participatory performance piece.
Who Is It For?
This workshop is open to all, including:
Musicians and dancers
Interdisciplinary practitioners
Educators
Anyone interested in exploring communication through shared perception
Creative Residency and Showing
With Levi Gonzalez and Kyoko Kitamura
April 5-8, 2026
New work in development
Bennington College, Bennington, VT
NOVEL FORMATS ON-SITE
Performances, Events, Gallery Exhibition, Workshops
January 16 - February 13, 2026
At AVA Gallery and Art Center · 11 Bank St. Lebanon, NH
Friday Jan 16 from 5-7pm - Opening Night Reception
Participating Artists:
Megan Craig
Chico Eastridge
Noah Mease
Jean Carla Rodea
Taylor Ho Bynum
Rachel Bernsen
JAM - Junction Arts & media
Saturdays Jan 17 & 31 - Movement and Sound workshops for kids and adults
· Spontaneous Sound Orchestra with Taylor Ho Bynum - SIGN UP
· Spontaneous Dance Group with Rachel Bernsen - SIGN UP
Friday & Saturday Jan 23 & 24 at 7pm- Performances of #5: For A Time - TICKETS
Friday & Saturday Feb 6 & 7 at 7pm - Performance of You #6: Are Here, Change, Change, Change - TICKETS
2025
Nov 14 & 15
Undercurrents 25 - An Evening of Dance and New Performance Works
A new duet with Ellen Smith-Ahern
Friday 7pm
Saturday 2pm & 7pm
Barre UU Church - 19 Church St
Barre, VT 05641
Suggested Donation: $20 at the door
September 3, 10, 17, 24 · 2-3:45pm
Alexander Technique / A Critical Practice for Dance and Performing Artists
Drop-in
Movement Research at Gibney 280 Broadway
July 15 • 6-8pm
Alexander Technique / A Critical Practice for Movement Artists
Class Workshop
Junction Dance Festival
Briggs Opera House, White River Junction, VT
July 14 • 7:30pm
HEFT - Rachel Bernsen and Mac Waters
Junction Dance Festival
Briggs Opera House, White River Junction, VT
July 1-6
Novel Formats
Space Residency
West Claremont Center for Music and the Arts
133 Old Church Rd. Claremont, NH
May 15 • 8pm
Drift Performance Series
With Caroline Davis, saxophone, electronics
Dartmouth Sound Lab
Dartmouth College Graduate Music Center
February 27 • 7pm
Novel Formats #3:Loop
New Ear at The Fridman Gallery
169 Bowery, New York, NY
2024
November 17
Duet with saxophonist & flutist Caroline Davis
Studio Show
November 9 • 10pm
Double bill with Taylor Ho Bynum/Tomas Fujiwara duo
Hungry Brain
2319 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL
October 6 • 6:30pm
NOVEL FORMATS #2, The Set Up
JAM - Junction Arts & Media
5 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT
April 2024
Movement Composition for Improvisors
Guest Teacher
Bennington College
One College Drive, Bennington, VT
February 3 • 5:30pm
Dialogue (number one)
A spontaneous performance event
JAM - Junction Arts & Media
5 S. Main Street, White River Junction, VT
2023
November 21 - December 31
Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol
Movement Director
Northern Stage
76 Gates Street, White River Junction, VT
October 2023
Teaching Preparing Ourselves, Performing the Performance Lecture
Guest Teacher
Yale School of Art
1156 Chapel St, New Haven, CT
July 27-30
NOISE, A Musical by César Alvarez
Performance Event
Hopkins Center for the Arts
4 East Wheelock Street, Hanover, NH
May 2
Somatic Convergences: master class in the principles of the Alexander Technique into interdisciplinary sound and movement improvisation
Guest Teacher
Bennington College
One College Drive, Bennington, VT
January 8 • 9pm
Performance with saxophonist/composer Caroline Davis, cellist/composer Tomeka Reid, dancer/choreographer Ayako Kato
Performance Event
Hungry Brain
2319 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL