This past summer, You Rock School held a half-day bilingual music camp and rock concert extravaganza that saw kids jumping up and down and rocking out to the performance on stage. Even the parents were invited to join in the head-shaking, foot-stomping fun.
If you missed this rockin’ showcase, then you’ll be happy to hear that Stallion Era – the company behind the event – is putting on an encore performance, and will reprise their much-loved experience this October. Following the same format as before, there will be two different workshops: “Let’s Play: An Interactive Music Game Workshop” organized by prominent music influencer Deng Ke, and “Swing Class” conducted by Swing Beijing. Kids 5 and over are invited to join the activities and catch instructor Dan Taylor’s live performance afterward.
We caught up with the inimitable expat actor and musician to find out more about his musical background.
Hi Dan! Please tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m from the United Kingdom, where I started playing the violin since young, then moved on to the piano and guitar. After graduating from Leeds Beckett University with a major in Literature, I traveled across Europe where I picked up all sorts of music techniques and styles that taught me to play the guitar with fingerpicking.
Wow. So many instruments, which is your favorite?
The guitar is my main instrument these days because it’s easier to carry around, though the piano is probably still my favorite. Maybe the flute as well!
What brings you to Asia, and more specifically Beijing?
I first went with a group of friends to Hong Kong but after they left, I still wanted to stay in Asia so I chose Beijing. I’ve been here since 2014 and have been teaching English and Music at private school ETU since 2018. I’m also working on developing collaborations with other musicians here.
Tell us about your involvement with the music scene in Beijing!
I founded a band called The Harridans and we released our first album, Fuzzing The Muse, back in 2016. We’re currently working on our second album.
Join Dan and his team at the You Rock School workshops and performance on Oct 16. There will be two sessions, one at 1.30pm and the second at 4.30pm. All-in tickets are RMB 300 per person or RMB 800 for a family of three! Scan the QR code below to book your place.
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Images: Courtesy of Stallion Era
