Mind-Body-Spirit Program
The art of opera singing is an olympic one. Besides the resources of the mind and organs of singing (in fact, the entire body), opera singers must maintain a level of robust health, coordination, as well as mental/psychological and spiritual well being and vibrance. Learn new ways to tap into your potential, refine your posture and balance, and incorporate external "technique" such that your voice can grow in stamina and luster. Featuring Feldenkrais, Yoga, Argentine tango, and meditation classes. Learn tools that you can use backstage and on the road to stay in shape on all levels of the mind, body, and spirit. In our lecture series we also talk about diet, managing a career and a family, and other topics of lifestyle and the business.
Meditative Body Awareness ClassesAwareness through movement (after the Feldenkrais method), yoga, and meditation are all approaches toward a relaxed and open posture will be explored in our daily classes.
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Posture & Technique as a Function of Neurological Wellbeing |
Science & SystemsThe more you know about your structure, spine, and organs, the more you can connect to yourself and your singing technique in profound ways. We will look into harnessing the power of the subconscious to develop voice and presence.
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In the developing theories not only of vocal technique (or "technique") but also of athletic and artistic achievement, the nervous system becomes more and more of interest and relevancy. It is easy enough to sing the notes of a given exercise, scales, arpeggios. But what does it mean to do them in a way that not only warms up the "voice," but also reinforces or helps to evolve the coordination that is really the basis, if not in fact the nature of, vocal technique?
In theories of theater and the nature of an authentic performance, many important teachers and authors have arrived at the same conclusion. Authenticity, whether in acting, vocal technique, or musical interpretation, exists at the somatic, core neurological level of functioning. It is NOT primarily thought-based or intellectual. It is a coordination of all the facets of awareness that include thought, body-feeling or awareness, emotion, past history and/or "trauma," breath regulation, flexibility, and to a lesser degree, intellect. In the Feldenkrais method, we use our intellects only as a tool to gently remind ourselves to get out of the way of a more pure focus on sensation, coordination, physicality, and emotion.
As all musicians know, the process of memorization often happen overnight when we are asleep. The subconscious, autonomic nervous system has its own processes that require rest in order for synthesis and growth to occur. We will look at the ways in which we learn and grow our instruments, memorize a work of music, align our bodies, and effect change even as we live more fully in the present moment.
In theories of theater and the nature of an authentic performance, many important teachers and authors have arrived at the same conclusion. Authenticity, whether in acting, vocal technique, or musical interpretation, exists at the somatic, core neurological level of functioning. It is NOT primarily thought-based or intellectual. It is a coordination of all the facets of awareness that include thought, body-feeling or awareness, emotion, past history and/or "trauma," breath regulation, flexibility, and to a lesser degree, intellect. In the Feldenkrais method, we use our intellects only as a tool to gently remind ourselves to get out of the way of a more pure focus on sensation, coordination, physicality, and emotion.
As all musicians know, the process of memorization often happen overnight when we are asleep. The subconscious, autonomic nervous system has its own processes that require rest in order for synthesis and growth to occur. We will look at the ways in which we learn and grow our instruments, memorize a work of music, align our bodies, and effect change even as we live more fully in the present moment.
