As artistic director, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Chapman Stick Workshop. When the Stick first hit the market in 1974, those who were not located in southern California were somewhat "on an island" with only their new instrument and Emmett's Free Hands book to guide them. As the popularity of the instrument grew, get togethers started to spring up where players could come and study from those pioneers who came before them. In 1998, Ann Arbor became a midwest hotspot when long time Stick player Steve "Oz" Osburn held the first of what would become the annual Michigan Stick Seminar. In 2000, I partnered up with Steve and have been the main organizer of these annual events ever since.
As an alumnus of the summer arts camp at Interlochen, it has always been a bit of a dream of mine to hold one of our events on the Interlochen campus. 2009 marks the 40th anniversary of the year Emmett Chapman discovered his "Free Hands" tapping method. The 2009 Chapman Stick Workshop will feature instruction from Emmett himself as well as instruction from world class performer and teacher Greg Howard. Please come and join us for the 2009 Chapman Stick Workshop. This will be a once in a lifetime event offering great classes, performances and camaraderie all in a remarkable and historic setting. Regards-- Glenn Poorman
