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Frequency: A Live Music Transmission ft. Chris Dingman’s Vibe Shift

Some nights feel less like a performance and more like a tuning.

As we open 2026, this gathering marks a natural evolution of what has been unfolding on our dance floor for over two years—months and years shaped by DJs, facilitators, ceremonialists, and dancers who have steadily cultivated a shared language of movement, listening, and care.

The evening opens not with sound, but with attention.

We begin with a White Pine tea ceremony, offered by Morgan Zelmer, inviting the room to arrive together—settled, present, and receptive. Pine, long associated with clarity, resilience, and breath, sets a quiet tone of attunement.

From there, Arielle Diamond guides a JourneyDance segment to bring the room into motion—an embodied bridge from ceremony into the night, helping us arrive together in the language of the body.

Then we step into a live music transmission—a convergence of rhythm, vibration, breath, and movement where sound is not delivered to the room, but moves through it.

Led by vibraphonist and composer Chris Dingman, Vibe Shift brings together an extraordinary ensemble of musicians whose instruments speak in pulse, texture, and resonance. Rather than a fixed set or scripted arc, the music listens—responding to the dancers, the room, and the energetic weather of the night.

What emerges is not something to watch, but something to enter.

As bodies move, the music shifts.
As the music deepens, the room responds.
A shared field forms—dynamic, alive, and co-created.

Live Music Ensemble

Chris Dingman – vibraphone, electronics, voice
Kaoru Watanabe – taiko, flute
Zaneta Sykes – voice, cajón, percussion
Tim Keiper – drums, percussion
Kevin Farrell – electric bass
Tomer Hagay – didgeridoo, winds

Together, they form a listening organism—one that breathes with the dancers and lets the moment lead. This is not a departure from what we’ve been building—it’s a continuation, arriving in a new form.

Come as you are.
Move as you feel.
Let the frequency find you.

PLEASE BRING YOUR OWN WATER BOTTLE to help us reduce waste.

**Please Note: Attendees planning to participate in the tea ceremony at 6pm must register in advance and arrive early. Once the tea ceremony begins, the doors will close from 6:00-7:00 to maintain sanctity. Attendees who do not register for the ceremony in advance will be admitted to the dance at the conclusion of the ceremony at 7:00pm. Please arrive before 6pm to ensure entry to the opening ceremony.

Ecstatic Dance is a form of freeform movement where participants let go of inhibitions and dance to the rhythm of the music without following any structured steps or routines. It's a way to express oneself authentically through movement in a supportive and non-judgmental environment.

Ecstatic Dance Nyack's program features six key components:

Opportunities to meet fellow community members and strengthen relationships at the start and end of each event.
A dance warm-up that prepares the body and spirit for an evening of dance and somatic exploration.
An extended set of curated dance music.
A meditative sound healing experience to bring restoration after lively dancing.
Complimentary fresh fruit and water, plus organic, locally-foraged beverages and snacks for sale from local artisans.
A non-denominational altar to facilitate introspection and affirmation of one's own personal values, memories, aspirations, and intentions.

-PROGRAM SCHEDULE-

5:30-6:00pm: Admission for Tea Ceremony
6:00-7:00pm: White Pine Tea Ceremony and Breathwork with Morgan Zelmer (doors remain closed)
7:00-7:30pm: Doors re-open, Mix & Mingle

7:30-8:30pm: Opening Remarks, Somatic Dance Warm-up with Arielle Diamond

8:30-10:30pm: Live Music Ecstatic Dance Journey with Chris Dingman's Vibe Shift

10:30-11pm: Sound Journey by Chris Dingman

11:00-11:15pm: Closing Circle

11:15pm-12:00am: Socialize & Farewells

WHAT TO WEAR/BRING

Comfortable and loose-fitting clothes that let you move your body and free yourself
A water bottle or container to refill at the venue
Good vibes and an open heart and mind

ECSTATIC DANCE NYACK GUIDLINES

First, Dance with Yourself: If you choose to dance with others, do so from a place of giving, not taking. All physical contact with fellow dancers must be consensual. Consent is Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, and Specific (FRIES). To separate from a dance partner, you can show hands in prayer to signal your respectful departure.
No Alcohol: Movement is medicine. The spirit of alcohol is not welcome at Ecstatic Dance Nyack. To maintain a space of sensitivity, authentcity, awareness, and clarity, we invite you to experience the depths of your own being without alcohol. Plant medicine is welcome only if used privately, respectfully and responsibly. No smoking within 50 feet of the premises.
No Speaking: Ecstatic Dance empowers participants to explore and express themselves with movement and body language. The cessation of speech unblocks wellsprings of feeling and emotion that are otherwise limited by words. Connect with yourself and others in a new way.
No Phones: Havent you spent enough time looking at it already?
No Photography or Video: What happens here stays here. To allow for fully authentic expression and exploration of our deepest emotions, free from all forms of shame and guilt, participants can be assured that their experience will never be known outside the walls of Ecstatic Dance Nyack.
No Shoes: To stay grounded, protect everyone’s feet, and maintain cleanliness, please do not wear shoes on the dance floor. Socks and special indoor-only dance shoes are permitted.
Be Yourself: This is a judgment-free zone. Allow your body the freedom to move however it needs. All ranges of emotion and expression are welcome here, from joy to sorrow, and everything else. Let movement and music guide you to feel and display every part of yourself. All of you is welcome here.

We will begin with a guided tea meditation and breathwork to connect to the medicine of Eastern White Pine. This native evergreen tree’s medicine shines strongly at this time of the year, offering physical support to the immune system and to respiratory function.

On a more energetic level, White Pine helps us connect to stagnated emotions, circulating what needs to be stirred and moved through our systems for release. What we hold heavy in our hearts and stagnant in our lungs will be acknowledged, thinned, and dispersed with fresh breath and illumined spirit.

Chris Dingman - Vibraphonist | Composer | Sonic Journeyer

Chris Dingman is a Nyack-based, award-winning vibraphonist and composer known for his rich, immersive soundscapes that invite deep listening and emotional connection. His music blends meditative textures with lyrical complexity, offering a spacious and transcendent experience rooted in the moment.

Over the past two decades, Chris has performed around the world with iconic artists such as Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, as well as visionary composers like Ambrose Akinmusire and Linda Oh. His solo work has been described by The New York Times as “dazzling,” with a unique gift for combining “airtight logic and burnished lyricism.” His recordings and performances span continents, and his work has been supported by the Doris Duke Foundation, Chamber Music America, New Music USA, and others.

Whether in a jazz club, sacred ceremony, or a contemplative sound bath, Chris brings his full attention and heart to the vibration of each note, creating sonic portals that open space for healing, reflection, and wonder. https://www.chrisdingman.com/

Zaneta Sykes

Zaneta (they/them) is a queer, multi-Filipinx sound artist and nature field recordist based in Ramapo Lenape territory. Rooted in the healing lineage of their great-grandmother, a village hilot, their work bridges ancestral Filipinx practices with ecological care through sound. Their immersive soundscapes weave field recordings, storytelling, and environmental study to explore how listening can restore our sense of belonging with the land. Their work has been featured at the Brooklyn Museum, the LA Natural History Museum, and the Climate Imaginarium. Follow them @soundartmagic or on Substack at Moon Pool.

Kaoru Watanabe

Composer and instrumentalist Kaoru Watanabe's work is rooted in traditional Japanese performing arts and infused with contemporary experimental and improvisational elements. He is a highly sought-after collaborator, working with such iconic artists as André 3000, Yo-Yo Ma, Wes Anderson, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Laurie Anderson, Jason Moran, Rhiannon Giddens, Silkroad Ensemble, and Japanese National Living Treasure Bando Tamasaburo. Watanabe studied jazz at the Manhattan School of Music and conducted intensive studies of Japanese traditional folk music and dance as an apprentice with the groundbreaking taiko drumming ensemble Kodo. Watanabe then became a touring member and artistic director of Kodo, the first American to hold either role. After a decade with the troupe, Watanabe returned to New York to develop a unique approach to integrating elements of Japanese music into his vast array of collaborative projects, culminating in the creation of Bloodlines Interwoven, a multifaceted commissioning ensemble celebrating heritage, immigration, and diaspora through music. https://www.watanabekaoru.com/

Tim Keiper

Drummer and percussionist Tim Keiper transcends categorization. Based in NYC, he has spent the last 20 years touring the world, playing and recording with such diverse artists as David Byrne, Imogen Heap, Cyro Baptista, Salif Keita, Matisyahu, Vieux Farka Touré, John Zorn, Dirty Projectors, Hazmat Modine, and Skeleton Key. Equally at home with a multitude of styles, Keiper has a deep knowledge of an eclectic set of music traditions. His ability to speak each musical language authentically, yet imprint the music with his own experience and sensibility, defines him as a musician.

Deeply influenced by musical traditions from Brazil, West Africa, and India, Keiper’s playing blends technical mastery with an ear for texture, environment, and unconventional sound sources. He is a member of David Byrne’s American Utopia, leads his own project Eclipticalia, and teaches at New York University. https://www.timkeiper.com/

Kevin Farrell

Kevin Farrell is an electric bassist whose playing anchors the ensemble with clarity and groove. With a background spanning jazz and improvised music, Kevin provides a steady harmonic foundation while remaining fluid and responsive within the collective sound.

Kevin Farrell has published hundreds of pieces of music as a media composer for film and network television. Some of his audio branding work has included companies as diverse as Knorr, GQ, Planned Parenthood, NFL, FIFA World Cup, and National Geographic. His television placements include work for Hulu, Netflix, MTV, BET, The History Channel, PBS, NBC, ABC, and CBS Sports.

Tomer Hagay

Tomer Hagay is a multi-instrumentalist working with breath-based instruments including didgeridoo, flute, and saxophone. His sound explores resonance, drone, and overtones, offering grounding textures that support both movement and deep listening. With a musical journey spanning over three decades, Tomer's expertise began with these instruments, gradually evolving into a profound exploration of sound therapy. Delving into the enchanting realms of gongs, Tibetan bowls, and a myriad of healing instruments, Tomer crafts a harmonious symphony of curative vibrations.

For the past few years, Tomer has graced Chestnut Ridge and Nyack with transformative sound baths, weaving a tapestry of tranquility and serenity for all who attend.

Beyond his performances, Tomer's passion extends to enriching the lives of special needs children and adults through the power of music.

Driven by an unwavering love for his craft, Tomer invites you to partake in this journey of musical enlightenment. With gratitude in his heart, he welcomes you to experience the catalyzing power of sound.

Morgan Zelmer

Morgan Zelmer is an herbalist whose work ranges from creating herbal medicines to private cheffing to holding educational & ceremonial space in community.

She is the creator of MOON•MA Medicinals which you may have experienced as the resident monthly elixir bar at Ecstatic Dance Nyack.

Her work on this earth is to inspire reverence for the beauty, magic, and humbling lessons of nature. She aims to rekindle and strengthen our primal, inherent connection to nature - the cycles, seasonal shifts, and deep connection to the land we inhabit.

As a mother of two, Morgan is also passionate about women’s health, facilitating monthly women’s circles, retreats, and ceremonies honoring the sacred rites of passage of pregnancy, birth, and beyond.
You can learn more about & get in touch with Morgan here: @morgan_moonma on Instagram and

https://moon-ma-medicinals.square.site

Arielle Diamond

Arielle is a holistic licensed psychotherapist, certified yoga instructor, and JourneyDance facilitator who has been holding therapeutic group experiences for over a decade. Arielle's approach integrates body wisdom, expressive movement, and trauma-informed principles to support personal growth and authentic connection.

Arielle will be offering JourneyDance as an opportunity to explore the power of somatic movement, engage in meaningful self-expression, and connect with community. The space encourages curiosity, playfulness, and self-acceptance while honoring each participant’s individual experience

Mutual Aid & Generosity

We believe dance should be accessible to everyone. If you need financial assistance to attend, please email us at ecstaticdancenyack@gmail.com, and we’ll do our best to support you.

For those who have the means to give more, we offer a "Generous Dancer" ticket option—your contribution helps ensure that someone else in our community can join the dance. Thank you for paying it forward and keeping the spirit of generosity alive! ❤️✨