Rhiannon

For singers and teachers with good pitch and the desire to study vocal improvisation, circle singing and song form. Participants sing together to find our unique and personal sound, working alone, in pairs, and in ensemble collaborations using the pleasure of physical movement while combining intuition and invention with skill and heart. Using Rhiannon’s Vocal River exercises, singers deepen their improvisational vocabulary, study melody, harmony, rhythm and tone, and then circle up and sing. Rhiannon has built her process for teaching vocal improvisation on the idea that we must be solid in musical skills, develop intuition and be available to the mystery and grace that exist when creating music spontaneously. Believing that improvisation belongs in personal creativity as well as performance, she has developed a process to make improvisation an essential piece of a singer's training. These exercises unfold in a carefully articulated progression. Working in circle, students first improvise melody, harmony, rhythm, counterpoint and interlocking parts in solo and small ensemble games. Then in learning to improvise as an ensemble, with exercises using the natural connection of body and voice, you learn to reveal a vulnerable, authentic sound. You also practice using language, both invented and in your native tongue, sung and spoken, as part of your musical repertoire. Many of these games become strong performance pieces and teach you how to invent a group sound without a leader. Learning to improvise as an ensemble with shared responsibility and power teaches deep listening, generosity, courage and musical awareness. Level: beginners/medium

Singing in the Vocal River For singers and teachers with good pitch and the desire to study vocal improvisation, circle singing and song form. Participants sing together to find our unique and personal sound, working alone, in pairs, and in ensemble collaborations using the pleasure of physical movement while combining intuition and invention with skill and heart. Using Rhiannon’s Vocal River exercises, singers deepen their improvisational vocabulary, study melody, harmony, rhythm and tone, and then circle up and sing. Rhiannon has built her process for teaching vocal improvisation on the idea that we must be solid in musical skills, develop intuition and be available to the mystery and grace that exist when creating music spontaneously. Believing that improvisation belongs in personal creativity as well as performance, she has developed a process to make improvisation an essential piece of a singer's training. These exercises unfold in a carefully articulated progression. Working in circle, students first improvise melody, harmony, rhythm, counterpoint and interlocking parts in solo and small ensemble games. Then in learning to improvise as an ensemble, with exercises using the natural connection of body and voice, you learn to reveal a vulnerable, authentic sound. You also practice using language, both invented and in your native tongue, sung and spoken, as part of your musical repertoire. Many of these games become strong performance pieces and teach you how to invent a group sound without a leader. Learning to improvise as an ensemble with shared responsibility and power teaches deep listening, generosity, courage and musical awareness. Level: advanced