Conductorcise fitness fusion raises $300 for Backpack Snack Attack

WARWICK — Internationally known Maestro David Dworkin, a resident of Warwick, recently lead an hour-long Conductorcise session at the Fellowship Hall of Warwick Reformed Church.

The event, held April 19 to benefit Backpack Snack Attack, raised close to $300 for the local program.

During the event, participants acted as symphony orchestra conductors, led by Dworkin, in a session that he explains is designed to supercharge the brain, heart and circulatory system with upper body aerobics, all to recorded classical music.

Backpack Snack Attack provides needy school children with a backpack in the fall. The organization then sends individually sized, ready-to-eat, kid friendly food home in the backpacks on Fridays to provide food for the weekend.

Since its inception, the program has expanded to feed more than 300 children district wide. It's run entirely by volunteers and costs over $80,000 a year to operate.

During his career as a clarinetist and conductor, Dworkin has performed with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, American Symphony Orchestra and Vermont Symphony, among many others. He was also music director for three PBS-TV documentaries: Grow Old With Me: The Poetry of Aging, and for the CBS-TV production of Kurt Weill's Three Penny Opera.

Dworkin added that the energizing workout of Conductorcise offers participants a lively introduction to basic conducting, music history and listening techniques, while getting people of all ages and all fitness levels moving.

Local businesses that donated to the event were Forever Jewelers, Frazzleberries, Peck's Wine & Spirits, Yesterdays, Mimas, The Inkwell and Warwick ShopRite.

For additional information about Conductorcise visit: www.conductorcise.com

To learn more about Backpack Snack Attack visit: www.backpacksnackattack.com.

- Roger Gavan