Quotes - Teaching

Rhiannon is incredibly brilliant and fun. I trust her musical instincts completely.  A fellow graduate of MSU (Making Stuff Up) and a member of Voicestra since the beginning, she's one of my very favorite people to improvise with. I'm so glad she's finally taken the time to document her thoughtful, heartfelt, inspired approach  Delve in deeply!
Bobby McFerrin  (about Vocal River)

Rhiannon’s mastery as a vocalist, performer and teacher of vocal improvisation is obvious and precious. Yet her biggest gift goes beyond music.  It is the sheer distance and depth of exploration she has lived to become so fully and irreplaceably herself, arousing the courage and inspiration in those around her to undertake their own version of the same journey.   David Hatfield, Leadership Consultant and Educational Facilitator  TEDx talk on Male Vulnerability

As a person who works at the convergence of activism, spirituality, and the arts, I experience Rhiannon and her work as the perfect medicine for me in these times. Vocal improvisation grounds me and strengthens my voice, my body, my gratitude, my creativity, and my courage for the times we live in. I consider her work a form of alchemical activism, growing beauty, presence, and intention for the healing of our world.   Barbara Ford

Beyond seeing the effect you have on me during & after being in your presence, (connecting/embracing heart, music and center), I love watching you at play, witnessing the profound effect you have on others, and the expanding space you continue to claim in the name of reverence, peace and artistic life around the planetMark Saunders

Thank you for your generous support, meaningful personal encouragement and for your powerful teaching style which was a mighty fine model for me..  
as a teacher you embody a slew of characters changing like quicksilver from moment to moment - you are  open, kind, direct, witty, funny, lighthearted, grounded, compassionate, an arrow slinger, trickster, clown, friend, shaman, wild child, queen, father, mother, artist.
I loved every damn minute of the “training.”
   Deanna Anderson

Rhiannon, the grand sorcerer, lures all whom she meets, her collaborators,I being one, her students, and her audiences, into the mysteries of her enchanted world of song. How lucky we have been!   Ruth Zaporah, Action Theater

What an incredible experience to be here in Hawaii with these amazing women on a sacred land, with my master teacher Rhiannon!! It is such a privilege to learn rhythms from Jamaica, Cuba and the Congo and these rhythms are being taught by women to women, it is a beautiful ceremony. There is great sisterhood here. There is great wisdom here. It has been a deep journey learning about Hawaiian mythology and it's relationship to nature and feminine power. "Pele" is the fire goddess found in the active volcano that is ever present here on the island, she is one that of the most significant figures in Hawaiian mythology and she is the goddess of creation and destruction! Talk about inspiration from the land!! Thank you Born to Drum!!   Bonnie Smith

My personal favorite, I have had the privilege of studying, working, and performing with her on several occasions over the last fifteen or so years as her teaching skills have deepened and refined. By now her ability to de-mystify the mysterious worlds of improvisation and of healing is second to none.  The strength of her commitment, blend of patience & hard work, ability to keep it real in all circumstances, and especially to stay vulnerable is nothing short of awe-inspiring.   Sam Rogers
Imagine living in a world where spontaneous singing is the main organizing principle. It's a place where you live beneath the wisdom of old growth cedars, eat from abundant gardens, sleep in deep silence, swim with phosphorescence in the ocean, and learn from world-class improvising musicians. Through practicing the craft and spirit of improvised singing you and your fellow denizens become an inventive singing tribe and the music spills out to bless others in the community. This is the world you enter by joining Rhiannon's annual Hollyhock workshop.  Will Hewett

This is my vocal improv teacher Rhiannon, singing to the ocean. She is brilliant, deep and healthy dose of crazy and... (this is the best part) ... teaches trust, forgiveness, generosity, support, authenticity. You're right; one cannot be a good singer without it. Thank you Rhiannon for all you are and give. I love you so.  Marion van Namen

Rhiannon's book is totally off the hook!   Kate McGarry

Still vibrating inside n out from 5 days of improv singing. Immersed in the musical muse that surrounds us all always. I experience this as practice in the portal of speaking my truth. Rhiannon gives us the tools and opens our hearts to collaborate in this ephemeral artistry. I know we will continue to meet n create more Barbara Aman

Rhiannon truly is the Magellan of music - she teaches all over the world,
and all those places are brighter for it  . 
Marianne Ralbovsky, Tully Arts Council

After almost 25 years of working with Rhiannon it just keeps getting better. She is a master and brings such depth and heart to the teaching of vocal improvisation. It's inspiring work and approaches singing from a place of human connection, life mystery, risk-taking, purpose, as well as skill. --if you are ready for a change in your music or your life, jump in! ... awesome and well worth the cost.  Laurel Murphy

Friends...I invite you to check out this delightful interview with my force-of-nature teacher Rhiannon! She is a creative powerhouse and inspires all of her students to open our hearts and minds, to truly show up and... "Bring. It." !! I am so grateful for the outrageous, wild joy, fierce sensitivity, and incredible depth that this amazing woman has brought to my life as a person and a singer, and to the lives of countless other singers from across our beautiful planet... as we all dive into and swim in Rhiannon's concept of the international 'Vocal River.  Lori Derr            

I loved the experience and I'd do it again, and again and again. Rhiannon is such a incredible person! The workshop helped me a lot! I'm a new person, a new singer now.   Tati Marazzo   

 I have never felt so empowered in my own choice to sing, and simultaneously connected to and supported by so many others. It was a euphoric experience and I hope to learn much more about vocal improvisation and circle singing so I can help bring this experience to other people as well.  Claire Thiemann

After the workshop, I didn't expect to use my musical experience in a hospice setting anytime soon. But my Mother developed some health problems and my family ended up transferring her to the hospital's hospice program. I had the opportunity to sing to her during the week she was in hospice, the last time just before she died. The hymns and songs were melodies she knew. The improvised lullabies gave me a chance to say goodbye, to say how much I would miss her, to tell her it was OK to let go. Thanks again for the dialog about the hospice experience, reminding me to bring music to the experience.  JH, New York NY

Just back from Rhiannon's Hollyhock Workshop. It was a magical journey of discovery. I'm so glad I did it.    Barbara Walden