A class I taught at Dance Camp Northern California, 2015. Photo by Rishio
Moor Imagination Collective, Buckfastleigh Devon.
10am - 5 daily, ending 4.30pm on the last day.
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
Timing: 10am - 5pm each day. Please arrive 15 mins early for a prompt start. We may end up to 10 mins over time. On the final day we’ll finish by 4.30pm.
Hot drinks will be provided
We will contact you about food nearer the time. Perhaps the organic, plant-based cafe at MIC will be open. If not we may organise pot luck. Food is not included in the price of intro courses.
Please bring a yoga mat and blanket for floor work. If you are coming from afar by train, probably local people can bring extra.
Accommodation
See here if you are coming in from out of town and you need accommodation.
Price for the 3 Day Intro workshop
Tier 1 - £405 · Tier 2 £330 · Tier 3 - £255
Please self-select your tier in integrity; you will not be assessed. 2 alumni assistant places are available for £75, and there are 2 Name Your Price places for folks for whom Tier 3 is not available: to apply, email info@brionygreenhill.com.
Please pay £100 deposit to book your spot, and the remainder before the course starts. Dan will email you.
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.