rhiannon

Step Into The Circle

This workshop is open to all singers who have solid musical skills, good pitch and rhythm and want to expand their vocal and improvisational experience. Rhiannon brings new singers into the world of improvisation using Circle Singing as the musical foundation. The singing continues for long stretches, creating a rich, deep and joyful experience. We will also find our unique and personal sound, working alone, in pairs, and in ensemble as we meld intuition and invention with skill and heart.

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.

The Improvised Performance

Because Rhiannon believes that improvisation belongs in performance, she has developed a process to make improvisation stage-worthy. This series of exercises unfolds 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, they learn to reveal a vulnerable, authentic sound. They also practice using language, both invented and in their native tongue, sung and spoken, as part of their musical repertoire. Many of these games become strong performance pieces and teach the singers 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.

Vocal River Book Talk & Circle Sing

Rhiannon gives an introduction to her book Vocal River and afterwards invites the group into the circle for an open sing.
 

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