Teaching: freedom to inspire.

“Teaching is more than imparting knowledge, it is inspiring change. Learning is more than absorbing facts, it is acquiring understanding.”

William Arthur Ward

When it arrives, this kind of synergy brings an exciting dynamic to the relationship between student and mentor. If present, the two elements generously combine to create an unwritten contract of possibility. 

Where the mentor provides a thought-provoking, boundary-busting structure to learning practices, so the student is encouraged to open themselves up to new ideas and patterns of work. 

 

There is co-operative freedom to inspire. Magical when you experience it.

Dartington Hall, near Totnes in South Devon, provides the perfect vibe for such exchanges to happen and with my next residential weekend in March just visible on the horizon, those of us who have already signed up to be there are beginning to feel the buzz of excitement. 

For solo singers, the Love Your Voice weekend workshop promises...

Three working workshop sessions and a final performance afternoon to nurture and gently challenge the solo singer. We’ll be looking at everything from vocal technique issues and exercise with warm-ups, to repertoire offerings and the intricacies and experience of performance. Each singer will be offered generous opportunity to sing to other members of this very supportive and intimate workshop group.

The Dartington ethos, learning by doing, fits the bill completely. The magic still weaves its spell.

• My workshop weekends are immersive, by design.
• The best experiences are those borne out of an eagerness to learn. 
• Good preparation is key - only then can each singer give wholeheartedly to the group as a whole. 

 

It is both humbling and rewarding to watch returning singers, who allow Dartington’s beautiful surroundings to feed their soul with each repeated experience, to hear their voices GROW in confidence and enjoyment in what they can do.

“Love Your Voice 2019 was a wonderful voyage of discovery for me where the excellent coaching and mentoring of Gillian Wormley really helped me to find the way forward with my singing after suffering significant vocal problems. But with that came the close friendships that were generated among like minded people all working towards their vocal goals and ideals all supporting each other in a great atmosphere at the wonderful Dartington Hall where the historic spirit of creativity still pervades every nook and cranny. Excellent Teacher Lovely Music Great Friends all came together to make a Wonderful Weekend. I look forward to the next.”

At the time of writing this, there are TWO places left on the course. The application deadline is 31 January 2020. 

The mini-retreat weekend provides an excellent opportunity for a small group of singers to meet for an inspiring residential weekend within a mutually supportive intimate setting and environment dedicated to the art and JOY of solo-singing.

“I had the privilege to take part in Spring 2019 Love Your Voice ... I have attended similar workshops, run by Gillian in the wonderful surrounds of Dartington Hall, Devon, but this one was particularly special for me. I am at a critical stage in my vocal development. I am just finding my true voice and I am nearly ready to add solo singing to my current choral singing activities. During this weekend I had ample time to sing solo pieces with excellent, tutoring and mentoring from Gillian and the wonderful support of my fellow singers. Also, during the weekend there was plenty of time to relax, eat and talk about singing and repertoire. This led to a wonderful holistic weekend of music. Particularly beneficial for me, was the opportunity to perfect my singing of a duet, that I am singing in an upcoming concert. On my return from the workshop, I was auditioned for a solo, singing a piece I had worked on in LYV. I was given the solo, and that is all thanks to the weekend! LYV gave me a great deal of confidence to sing different repertoires in different physical environments and to take some risks! I would recommend the weekend to singers of all abilities, you will have total musical experience in a safe, but the challenging vocal environment.”

So, if you are someone who enjoys a high standard of solo singing, good company, excellent mentoring, beautiful rural surroundings, fine food and diverting conversation, you are tailor-made for this experience. 

Come and join us. 

 

Here’s a link to the dedicated event page, where you’ll find more info/details about the wondrous venue and what to expect from the weekend timetable. 

Please note, the deadline for applications is 31 January, latest.

Thanks to my lovely friend and musician Paul Hornsby (fellow ex-dart too) for the images above. More examples of his excellent work can be found at www.hornsbyphotography.com or www.joatamon.photos.