The Embodied Voice Weekend Intensive - Stroud

A two day deep-dive into embodiment and the voice, ranging from the more subtle inner somatic landscape of voice and functional voice technique, to the more outer expressive and collaborative aspects of moving while singing.

The Embodied Voice, created by Kate Smith, is a practice for living more joyfully in mind, body and voice, by combining voice, movement, mindfulness and improvisation. While Kate's teaching is grounded in a care and deep curiosity for the science behind the voice-mind-body connection, by leaning into the extra dimension offered through embodiment, the practice also holds the door open for the expressive, the creative, the ineffable.

Throughout both days, we will cultivate an embodied relationship to our voices through mindful movement and collaborative vocal improvisation. Both days will include group singing, discussion, journaling, tea breaks, shared potluck lunch, and (weather permitting) singing out of doors in connection with nature. 

The weekend is designed to offer a connected pathway from learning about embodied singing to singing creatively with movement. However, you can also attend just one day, if you choose. 

Day 1 - Saturday: The Voice & Body Connection

Our first day will involve soulful singing, moving through certain poses, discussion of anatomy and embodiment principles, breathing, and mindfulness practices.

• What is Embodiment? What is Somatics?
• Bringing mindfulness into our relationship with our bodies as we sing 
• Introducing some basic neuroscience to understand how we learn and create new skills 
• Discovering vocal technique from a somatic point of view
• Our somatic-singing connection to nature

Day 2 - Sunday: Movement & Vocal Improvisation 

Our second day will offer an open space for voice-movement-performance research, more targeted exercises for refining and interrogating why and how we move, movement scores, collaborative co-creation, and singing out of doors. 

• Improvising from an embodied place vs. improvising while moving
• Exploring the axes of sound through time, movement through space 
• Refining our movement tool-box - what is relevant for the singer?
• Movement for creative singing (as opposed to theatre or dance)
• Training in collaborative vocal improvisation through movement scores
• Co-creating together with (our) nature

Please bring a notebook and a small dish to share for potluck lunch. You may want to bring a mat (although it's not essential), and wear comfortable clothing you can move in.

You do not need to have prior experience as a singer, improviser or mover in order to participate. However, you will probably get more out of the weekend if you have some prior experience with collaborative vocal improvisation, can hold a pitch and keep a rhythm. In addition, if you are dealing with any prior traumas, working with the voice and body can be quite strong and will need to be approached with care. Please let me know in advance so that I can support you safely through the weekend.


July 1st and 2nd, 2023
10 arrival
13-14 lunch
17:30 departure

*potluck lunch, 
** teas and snacks provided

Investment

One Day
£60 low income
£80 regular 

Weekend
£100 low income
£140 regular


To register, please reserve your ticket through ticket tailor or by emailing Kate.smith.music@gmail.com.
Please feel free to get in touch with any questions or concerns Kate.Smith.Music@gmail.com

www.TheEmbodiedVoice.net
www.KateSmithMusic.com
www.Curiosa.org.uk