A class I taught at Dance Camp Northern California, 2015. Photo by Rishio
@ Ashprington Village Hall, nr Totnes, Devon
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10 - 4.30pm.
Collaborative Vocal Improvisation (CVI) is a thrilling, inspiring, challenging, ancient, and contemporary approach to singing with others. When we sing together without a song, composer or conductor, those roles become shared in the moment with spontaneously created music and emergent shared leadership. It involves deep listening to self, other and the space between us, and an adjustment to improvisation: new for many people, often quite scary, usually also thrilling and hugely nourishing.
This beginner-intermediate introduction is for people with little to no experience of improvisation, who may feel a bit shy to share the voice, but are up for having a go. To access this art-form you need to be able to sing in tune and keep a beat. This work can help cultivate the natural magnificence of your voice, reduce self-judgement and help you love your voice.
Led by Briony Greenhill who is one of the UK’s leading teachers of CVI. She has studied extensively with vocal improvisation pioneers Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, David Worm and Joey Blake, as well as improvisation teachers in France, India, and leading piano teachers in California. She continues to pioneer the therapeutic application of CVI, her integration of CVI teaching with her SomaSource therapeutic training with Dr Melissa Michaels, and what unfolds in her teaching.
She is creator of the Resonant Body method for cultivating the magnificence of each unique, natural voice, and vocal and personal healing.
She has released four entirely improvised albums - Listen, Sketches, Voice Unknown and Remembering. Her debut studio album, Crossing the Ocean, was featured in The Guardian, Mojo, Women’s Hour and Radio 3. Briony is a founding member of the new The Well Global Vocal Improvisation Network and the UK Vocal Improvisation Festival.
Her students call her a “master”, her work “life changing.”
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Practicalities
Hot drinks will be provided.
It’s best if you don’t drink alcohol on the preceding evenings; CVI asks for and cultivates a high level of presence and sensitisation, and alcohol can blur that somewhat.
Please bring a packed lunch and any snacks you may need.
Please bring a yoga mat and blanket on the Sunday. If you’re coming from further afield by train, local people may be able to bring extra for you.
Cost
£230 Early bird (before 1 September)
£250 Later Bird (2 September onwards)
Limited to 16 places.
Students have said:
“One of the most powerful experiences of my life! I feel changed on a cellular level!” (ok it was a 4 day retreat not a weekend…)
“Briony really made us all feel at home – starting off with exercises that didn’t force me outside of my comfort zone, and a no judgement pact, really allowed me to feel comfortable with the group, which then gave me the confidence to try out some solos.”
“It was seriously fun, crazy, inspiring, opening and meditative, all at the same time.”
“Some singing teachers teach you sing with your voice. Briony teaches you to sing with your heart and sing from your soul.”
“You made it feel like a womb. Protected, loved, nourished, warm and holding.”
Please direct questions to info@brionygreenhill.com.
Assistant Places
Two assistant places are available at half price. If you'd like to be the assistant, please email info@brionygreenhill.com. The assistant arrives an hour before and leaves 30-60 mins after on each day and helps with set up, pack down, tea and kitchen overview and facilitating the group to clean up after lunch. The assistant doesn’t have an assistant role during the singing sessions and is 100% participant in those times.