Adler Park students learn anything can create music

The foursome from Be The Groove slapped their chests, clapped their hands and stomped their feet as part of a rhythmic performance for Adler Park School students on Tuesday.

The Chicago dance and musical group incorporated a variety of movement, percussion, and rhythmic techniques to educate and entertain with high-energy performances for K-5 students and early childhood children at the Libertyville school.

"We advance the idea that rhythm can be created anywhere with anything so we use our body as an instrument. We call that technique body-percussion," said Kevin Brown, director of education for Be The Groove. "We emphasize rhythm choreography and musical movements, as well as drumming on found objects."

Be the Groove is a rhythmic performance ensemble whose philosophy is rhythm is not just a beat, but can be a form of expression.

"I really like it and I think they do really cool rhythm dances. I might want to try it," fifth-grader Olivia Powell said after watching the show.

The show concluded with children joining the ensemble and creating their own music by banging on sticks, pounding on the garbage can and dancing in beat with the rest of the group.