“This session helped me to completely forget my fears and let the music come out.” – Participant, Toronto
2024 DATES
THE SPONTANEOUS VOICE WORKSHOP
A workshop in the art of collaborative vocal improvisation.
Sunday March 10, 10am-3:00pm (45 minute break for lunch)
If you would like to experience more aliveness in your singing, this workshop is a great introduction. You will sharpen your ears and learn a musical language that will allow you to create spontaneous music with others. You will also learn about the building blocks of music– melody, harmony and rhythm–through group and solo exercises.
This workshop draws from Rhiannon’s wonderful body of work, the Vocal River. You will expand your vocal horizons, drop in and hear your own music. You will learn to welcome the unknown and unexpected, to really listen and collaborate with others. On the surface, it is fun and teaches a set of vocal skills. But it is also an endless path that can open doors to such depth, beauty and authenticity.
Be prepared to suspend your inner critic and have fun! For singers with a good sense of rhythm and pitch.
Special price: $100. Limit to 10 participants. Downtown location.
Registration deadline: noon, Thursday March 7th. Email Laurel to register.
WHY IMPROVISE?
Learning to improvise can be a journey of self-discovery. As you begin to trust and follow your spontaneous impulses, you will discover the path to your own, musical heart.
Improvisation is an art and also a life skill. We improvise every day in so many ways without even realizing it. The practise of improvisation in any discipline encourages authenticity and self-expression. It builds resilience, confidence and a greater willingness to take risks. This can ripple out into all areas your life.
Who is it for?
Laurel has been devoted to the practise and teaching of improvisation for over 2 decades. She began extensive study with Rhiannon (of Bobby McFerrin’s Voicestra) in 1992 as well as Bobby McFerrin, Joey Blake, David Worm. Her approach has been influenced by her formal schooling in jazz and contemporary music and with masters of other disciplines, including Margie Gillis (dance), Ruth Zaporah (Action Theatre), Natalie Goldberg (writing), Stewart Cubley (The Painting Experience) and Richard Armstrong (Voice).
“The workshop was excellent. Your gentle, inviting style of leading is very helpful. You give the invitation- hold the space – and make selective observations. Excellent teaching. It made a huge difference in my ability to be present and centred.”
“This session helped me to completely forget my fears and let the music come out.”
“It was great to have the safe space to explore, create, observe and experiment. You have a wonderful, direct and gracious style!”
“I think we all came away feeling pretty exhilarated about singing, freer in our voices/bodies/heads. I liked the feeling of safety in the group….that we were there to have fun and learn things and throw ourselves into something new and both safe and risky. I liked that everyone had some time to shine and really make art. Wow!”
“I learned to get rid of the voice in my head telling me I can’t do it. I learned how to listen and to “feel” the part. I learned to push my edge just a little farther. I felt very inspired to trust my voice, and explore its ranges. Singing is healing. Thank you, Laurel.”
“…when I allowed my true inner voice, unencumbered by ego motives, to lead the way, it took me to the places i needed to be. in those places I found some feelings that needed to be expressed…you brought out the courage in us. You reminded us to sidestep our minds/egos.”
“I liked the gentle pace and gradual build-up of complexity and “riskiness”. The build-up of trust and affirmation in the group. The atmosphere of fun. It was a lovely gentle weekend.”
“I’ve always sung from a book, so it was great to learn that I could improvise and free-form harmonize. To discover that singing can be play and let go of perfection. By Sunday morning, my excitement for the doing became greater than my fear of doing!”
“The experience was soul opening and I am thankful for it. My yoga, my meditation, my writing and even my painting benefited because of this weekend.”
“Laurel – you are truly gifted – both vocally and in your teaching style. It is so easy to receive instruction from you. What a great gift you left me with. I may be one of the few people in the world that has experienced this aspect of the depth of music in your beingness. Thank you.”
“The workshop was just wonderful! I still have music dancing in my brain. For me, this was just one of those blessed constellations that worked on every level. Thanks so much for making this part of your work. Harmoniously yours.”
“Laurel, thanks again for such a great experience this weekend. Ellen and I have been singing since we left and both of us are very inspired by the music and the community you’ve created in Vancouver. I just wanted to again extend my gratitude and admiration for who you are and what you do.”
“I liked the way you worked with the group energy, moving through it and along with it and open to it. I found you subtle, gentle, supportive, clear with instructions, humourous, full of interesting musical lines. Had a great time. Loved it.”
“That was a fabulous workshop Laurel (though it’s clear to me that I have little skill in that area but it was fun trying!) – and thanks for being so attentive to my out-of-town friend the next day at Songrise. She was blown away (of course). Thanks for all your wonderful work.”
“Know that your music and teaching has made a big impact in my life. I saw it in others as well…”