Concerts

World dancer Estara and world music master Matthew Montfort team up to present a new union of music and dance. Music, rhythm, and dance become one in their improvisational art form. In concert, this music and dance duet presents the very unique sounds and sights of Matthew Montfort on scalloped fretboard guitar and Estara performing on zil and frame drum while simultaneously dancing.

Workshops

In their workshops, participants are taught rhythm and dance as one system. This new way of learning brings rhythm directly to the body through dance. It is an exhilarating experience to learn to both perform an exciting rhythm with the body through clapping and vocalizing and dance it as well. In this way, the material covered becomes a part of the whole body. African, Balinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern rhythms fuse with transformational style of learning dance in a way that streamlines the learning process. The training is offered in a variety of formats, from 90 minute classes to day long workshops or weekend retreats.

Weddings

This duet is a perfect choice for weddings, offering performances for the wedding ceremony, reception, and a special blessing for the wedding couple. In honor of the divine union of the blessed couple, Estara captures the meaning of the wedding ritual and conveys it in an entertaining yet profound way. Music is created in the moment especially for the wedding couple and songs from the romantic Ancient Future CD "Planet Passion" are featured. The music and dance tell a passionate story of love around the world. A private music and dance session for the bride and groom designed to set a positive and loving intention to their married life is also available.

Biographies

Estara has developed a transformational system of teaching dance as a means to experience and express one’s natural rhythm and flow­ freeing the creative energy to move through the body. A born dancer and educator, Estara began her career at age 11 when she won a competition in Middle Eastern dance after taking only six lessons. Through her 20 years of dedication and exploration into the pure essence of dance, she has developed a unique style of dance performance that brings the audience on an inspirational journey interweaving movement and sound. Estara has performed throughout the world and for such personalities as the royal family of Saudi Arabia and at the World Festival of Sacred Music initiated by His Holiness the Dali Lama. She has appeared on national television, including “Eye on America” (CBS).

Matthew Montfort wrote the book “Ancient Traditions -- Future Possibilities: Rhythmic Training Through the Traditions of Africa, Bali, and India.” He drew from his years of study of many world music traditions to create a training method many consider to be one of his greatest achievements. Montfort, leader of the acclaimed world fusion music ensemble Ancient Future, holds a B.A. in World Music and Composition and an M.A. in Arts and Media Technology from Antioch University. GUITAR PLAYER hails him for the “lovely Asian zither-like inflections” he has pioneered on the scalloped fretboard guitar, an instrument combining qualities of the South Indian vina and the steel string guitar. NEW COLORADO calls him “a giant, a leader, a bound-and-determined self described fanatic for world music.”