This is a 6-day course spread over three weekends, shaped to profoundly shift your relationship with your voice from challenge to freedom, from judgement to love, from anxiety to pleasure.
September 7 - 8 @ Ashprington Village Hall, Devon TQ9 7UL
October 19 - 20 @ Ashprington Village Hall
November 23 - 24 @ Scoriton Village Hall, Devon TQ11 0JB
“It was deeper than an ayahuasca ceremony, I grew more than in workshops with leading psychologists, and it’s the safest I’ve ever felt in a group.”
We’ll integrate Collaborative Vocal Improvisation (CVI) with Internal Family Systems therapy (IFS) to work with the parts of us that struggle to be heard, that constrict the voice, experience performance anxiety, are beset by inner criticism and inhibition. Beneath all of that, I believe you are a living instrument designed - and able - to sing.
This is a mixed level group for people who can sing in tune, keep a beat, and want an adventure (these are in my view pre-requisites for studying vocal improvisation).
Whatever the voice is buried under, we’re going to work together to lift it off, bring the voices out, and set them free. We’ll use these voices to improvise, express ourselves, connect to others, self-sooth, and heal.
There will be spiritual aspects to this course, in the context of an Earth-Based spirituality that welcomes every kind of spiritual diversity including atheism.
We will gradually become able to co-create vocal music with others in real time, and come home to our natural capacity to sing, part of our human design, our birth right. We’ll take the broken wings and learn to fly, midwife the voices, and gradually, enjoy their soaring.
“We know each other on a level that a conversation wouldn’t have given us. It creates bonds and connections that you can’t otherwise create. you’re in deep communication with people in a way that’s quite rare.”
Welcoming out parts of us that might prefer the safety of hiding, and giving them a chance to express and relate through vocal improvisation.
The voice is a profound ally for welcoming all of ourselves home, as it brings our inner material into awareness, gives it an avenue of expression, and soothes us, all at the same time.
In IFS terms, vocal improvisation seems to go beneath protector parts and reach either exiled parts - parts needing to be welcomed home into integration - or what is called “Self” - the aspect of us that is always present, compassionate and curious. How most of us like to be, and how we mostly want people to be with us.
“The benefits of the course are rippling out in my life in subtle and crystal clear ways. I feel more confident in all areas of my life. I’ve befriended some of my wisest parts. I feel empowered and shame free.”
So, welcome to the healing ground. Diving into the transformational art form of vocal improvisation with a shared group intention to use this for our healing and growth, and let our living instruments fly, heal, whole, ground, and flourish.
“I have suffered with depression and all sorts of stuff for always. And I genuinely think now that I have released something monumental. I feel as if this black mass that I’ve carried all my life has lifted. I’m just a new, different person. It’s really extraordinary, really really really.”
Practicalities
The workshop is non-residential
We meet 10-5 each day
Each day we do 1-2 hours of IFS therapy after lunch.
Hot drinks will be provided; please bring a packed lunch and any snacks you may need.
On the Sundays we do floor work; please bring a yoga mat and blanket, or something to lie on and something to lie under. If you are travelling in from afar by train, often local people can bring extra for you.
We suggest avoiding alcohol the nights before we gather as it can interfere negatively with your experience.
Please don’t come if you are contagiously ill. It’s possible to swap your place for another course in this instance.
I normally teach Vocal Transformation with assistance from one or two IFS therapists. (If you are an IFS therapist and would like to assist, please email info@brionygreenhill.com.)
This course if suitable for you if:
You haven’t worked with me much or at all before
You want to sing freely but face constraints
You have fairly stable mental health currently.
This course is not suitable for you if:
You are currently in a mental health crisis - other forms of support are likely to be more supportive
You are an experienced CVI student. If you still face these constrictions after extended study with me, arrange a call with me by email.
Cost
Earlybird - £625 - before July 7th 2024
Latebird - £795 - July 8th 2024 onwards