Creativity
Sing sing sing sing sing!
This pathway is largely defined by what it isn’t. We won’t work on theory. We’ll hold each other with compassion as usual, but we won’t centre healing. Yes this artform is (perhaps inherently spiritual), but we won’t dive deep into themes of ritual.
Instead, our central fire is Creativity.
Dancing with the void. Being an instrument for the music of now. It’s a muscle, and the more we practice it, the more our creativity grows.
In this pathway, we work with:
Singing, primarily: vocal improvisation.
Collaborative Improvisation - being a vessel for the muse together. Emergent co-creativity. Co-entering flow states and following the creative unfolding from a place of regulation, ease and connectedness - enjoying yourself!
Movement - expressive movement alone, and attuning creativity to others through movement. Pairs, trios, small ensemble, whole group forms
Language and poetics. Poetry - improvised spoken and sung poetry; poetry written by you and others. Being poetic, creative and imaginative with our improvised song lyrics.
Courage; gradually eroding inhibition so full creative expression can be available to you a) alone, b) whilst connecting creatively with others c) while being seen and heard by an audience.
Widening the truth frame, into the fuller human experience. Exploring taboo. De-shaming all that it is to be human. The artists’ role in welcoming us all home.
What is our creativity sourced from, and in service to? A bigger picture. Source, and Paradigm Shift.
Having Lots of Fun.
Modules
Each module can be taken alone, or in a bundle:
Vocal Improvisation for Men Weekend - June 6-7 2025 @ MIC
Deep Play - with Holly Stoppit and Briony Greenhill @ Embercombe, 29 July- 3 August 2025
Creativity Deep Dive· October 21-24 2025 @ MIC
Taboo & Paradigm Shift · February 24-27 2026 @ MIC
CI & CVI with Rick Nodine and Briony · March 31 - April 4 2026 @ MIC
Performance and Parts with Holly Stoppit and Briony - May 5-10 2026 @ MIC - includes a show on May 8th
Performing & Recording · June 23-26 2026 @ MIC - includes a show on June 25th.
Past Student’s Thoughts
“I’ve loved every minute of working with you and I think all instrumental students should do this. In fact I wish every person could experience this way of being. I have taught music at the conservatory level and at the early childhood level; at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Levine School of Music, The Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning through the Arts, etc. I trained in Juilliard, New York in Dalcroze Eurhyrhmics, a Swiss body-based approach to teaching and developing musicianship, which is extremely powerful work.
But what you bring specifically to the voice is something quite unique. To me it’s body-based, soul-based, healing-based, and community / collective-oriented. Your vocal work has a spiritual dimension that Dalcroze Eurhyrhmics only hints at. It’s very beautiful. I’m quite certain that the need and the desire for what you offer is immense.”
— Marcia Daft, Music Education Specialist
“I mostly wanted to express my deep gratitude for what you do and what you have opened in my life. CVI has literally changed my life. The structures, the skills, the tools I learned in circles with you have opened up my musical and my daily life. I have been able to finally experience and be part of nourishing, exciting musical collaborations! My song writing, my teaching, my performing is transformed by my willingness to stand in the void and let music move through me.” - Emily, choir leader and singer songwriter
“I feel so much more free vocally and like I’m accessing music from a new perspective. You’re a wonderful, nurturing teacher and have so much wisdom that ripples out far beyond the vocal realm.” - Pearl, vocal improvisation teacher
“Thank you for a revelatory and transformational weekend Briony! Much has moved in me. 🙏🏻” Mark
“And then after our course was done the peer group continued…and this has been such an incredible blessing in my life. I can’t even say how much it has meant to me over the last year and a half. Those beautiful people and voices are in my heart (and I hope my life) forever.” - Anon
“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.” - Lucy
“If everyone in the world did this, there would be no problems. I’m just so high from it! I don’t know of anything, any therapy, that makes me feel this way.” - Isabel
“It’s amazing what’s there. It’s amazing what’s there when I start listening instead of leading.” - Anon
“Working with Briony has been such a gift for me. Her expertise in the field of voice work is inspirational and I have felt so supported by her generosity, strength and tenderness. As someone who also works with the voice, I have felt so ignited by her guidance and knowledge. I took part in her Vocal Improvisation Retreat and it gave me so much for my own creative path. I feel so blessed to have worked with Briony and consider her to be a fantastic leader in this field. I will continue to work with Briony as it nourishes my creative path as a musician and as a vocal facilitator.”
— Nessi Gomes, Artist, Teacher
