Kevin Brown

Artist Bio

Kevin "Chops" Brown is a native of San Diego who settled in Chicago after attending Northwestern University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the School of Communication. He is now a company member of Be the Groove, a rhythmic dance ensemble that performs at theaters, schools, and community events throughout Chicago and provides educational workshops and masterclasses to students of all ages. Kevin also plays drums for various theater companies and musical projects. When not performing, he tutors for Revolution Prep and house manages at the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Artist Statement

"Everything has rhythm. Everything dances." ~ Maya Angelou.

Rhythm, as a universal mode of expression and communication, is accessible to individuals of all ages and languages. By exploring the rhythmic capabilities of the human body and the creation of rhythm with everyday objects, my students learn about the natural properties of this fundamental aspect of music, which has limitless creative potential and seemingly global appeal.

What is rhythm? How do we make it, where do we find it, and why do we like it? I make rhythm with my body, with percussion instruments, or with pencils and notebooks. I find rhythm everywhere, in theaters, on city streets, or in changing seasons. I like rhythm because it is a force of the natural world, something all humans have a latent ability to create.

Rhythm exercises the art of timing, which has applications in many forms of performance; music and dance, of course, rely heavily on patterns, but these mediums frequently intersect with the worlds of theater, film, literature, and visual art, and new ways of perceiving rhythm begin to emerge. Considered broadly, rhythm can be heard or seen, created or found, observed or felt, and sometimes all of the above. This, to me, makes rhythm an endlessly fascinating and pervasive component of all forms of art.

Educational Philosophy

As a teaching artist, I believe that art and education are co-dependent. I approach teaching as a mutual exchange of ideas and abilities, an extension of the self-expression that characterizes most art, and I strive to learn as much as I impart both in the classroom and on stage.

My own experiences as a performer in the fields of music and theater are unified by their dependence on the constructive collaboration of individuals. As such, my instruction emphasizes teamwork as a necessary component of creating a performance. But rhythm-making, whether through drumming or dancing, also requires students to apply a more personal knowledge of themselves and their surroundings, so self-confidence plays an equally imporant role in the classroom. Collaborative games and positive reinforcement of creative efforts help strengthen teamworking abilities and build confidence by empowering students who take risks.

In learning how to use tools they already have to creatively present something that already exists in their everyday lives, students of rhythmic arts begin to think differently about all performing arts. I want my students to believe in the universal functionality of rhythm, as well as its unique ability to connect people with each other as a means of expression, but ultimately, I hope my students harness belief in themselves.