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"Opalisms"
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To learn more about other instructors or view other historical bios you may click the links at left.
Martha Russell first uncovered the principles that she called Creative Motion after a lengthy personal study with a variety of teachers. She shared the knowledge of her discoveries with several students - who were also fellow teachers - inviting them to her home in LaJolla, California for several summer institutes held throughout the 1920's.

Opal Gilpatrick was one of those lucky few who were able to live, work and study with Martha Russell at her seaside home. After Mrs. Russell died in 1951, Margaret Allen, another student of Mrs. Russell began to sponsor a week-long workshop at her mountain-top estate near Berea, Kentucky. Opal was promptly requested to become an integral part of the teaching team in those early days, leading the Creative Motion Body Tuning classes and earning both respect and affection from her many eager students. Through her efforts and the work of countless others, Creative Motion study has been passed from teacher to student through the years, and continues to this day.

Select the following link to access more biographical information about Opal Gilpatrick.

Rachel Sherman, good friend of Opal and fellow workshopper, remembers these "Opalisms":

  • Resting in the key creates flight.
  • Fill in the flight with your body (inside feeling).
opalphoto
Opal Gilpatrick leads a
Creative Motion Body Tuning Class
on the terrace at
Windswept (circa 1967)
  • The flight (of energy) is instantaneous.
  • Check all body breaks before playing.
  • Head spring (Think "ah") before the impulse and also on the last harmonic beat before the climax. This is also the energy breath The body is a transfer station.
  • Relax outside and inside.
  • Release causes opposition in the body to make the next harmonic beat possible.
  • Large intervals are always felt larger and smaller intervals smaller.
  • Left hand harmonic beat moves on 1/2 of the note value.
  • Sing to your self-match your body-play.
  • As you play the harmonic beat & sing into it, the flight radiates through the whole body.
  • The body is always underneath the experience.

Opal Gilpatrick
Biography

The Snowball
Exercise
   
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Page Last Updated:
02/03/2006
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