Writing/Essay/Journal
Composer Mary Ellen Childs grew up learning dance, flute, piano and choreography. As an adult, she creates pieces that combine music, dance, movement, and play. Do you think that her background growing up with lots of different kinds of art helps her to create the way she does? What are some of the benefits of learning lots of different things? What are some of the benefits of being specialized and only learning one or two things really well? Also, how does Childs incorporate a sense of play or playfulness into her pieces? How would you express yourself using Childs’ type of art? What would you want to say and how would you say it?

Activity
Grab two friends and some clothes with zippers. Create your own composition that incorporates the sound the zippers make and the movements or motions of zipping.