2026 Course Sessions

Advanced Vocal Jazz

​Instructor: Courtney Freed

​

Ready to go deeper? This workshop picks up where Vocal Jazz leaves off. Expand your improvisational skills, explore more complex jazz styles, and develop greater freedom in your musical choices. You'll work on building your scat vocabulary, experiment with creative arrangement ideas, and build the confidence to take musical risks with live accompaniment. Perfect for singers who want to push beyond the basics and discover new dimensions of their jazz voice.

 

Prerequisite: Vocal Jazz workshop or prior jazz singing experience recommended. 

“Be the Bowl”: Exploring Dissonance and Entrainment with Singing Bowls
Instructor: Julia Francis​

​

Experience a deeper level of listening and unlock new pathways to vocal expression. Practice unraveling a lifetime of conditioning to be in-tune, and deliberately create dissonance to bring fresh, dynamic and dramatic effect to your performance. Then sink into the comfort and inspiration of a co-created harmonic field.

Song Leading

Instructor: Melanie DeMore

​

Song leading is different than singing a solo or teaching everybody a song. You don’t teach it. You sing it. 

Learn to make people feel compelled to be a part of what you’re doing in that moment. Make a space for everyone that is present. Learn to use singing as a tool for change. 

Singing Your Truth

Instructors: Melanie DeMore, Courtney Freed

​

Group Voice classes are designed for students to sing in a group setting, while creating a space for individual performances and instructor feedback. Your instructor will work to ensure you sound like yourself- not an attempt at mimicking others or avoiding the sound your own voice has to offer. Find comfort and courage in your singing. There is no-one else like you!

For The Entire Festival

​

Each year, we read your feedback and suggestions and are finding more ways to be together as a festival while also moving ourselves forward as performing artists. Daily group warm-ups and closing sessions, Flash Mob, Originals, Spirituals, and Sound Effects will be offered during the week as group gatherings. Joy, joy and more joy!

Acting For Singers ​

Instructor: Julia Francis

​

Captivate your audience and have fun discovering new ways to interpret your story in music. Approach your song from a variety of entry points, including style, color, motivation and character. 

The Rainbow of Microphones​

Instructor: Brooks Graham

​​

There are so many different kinds of microphones in the world.  In this session, you will get to experience a wide array of them by singing, playing your instrument, or making (joyful) sounds through them to see how they can be used for artistic expression.  If you have an unusual or otherwise oddball microphone, bring it to class and we'll see what it can do!​

Songwriting for Authentic Expression: Your Story, Your Voice

Instructor: Courtney Freed

​

What makes a song yours?

In this workshop, we'll explore how to write songs that sound like you, not like what you think a "good song" should sound like. We'll dig into your personal stories, vocal strengths, and emotional truth to craft songs that feel honest, powerful, and 100% you. Whether you're brand new to songwriting or looking to break out of generic patterns, this workshop will help you write songs that reflect your TRUE voice.

Songwriting with Melanie DeMore

Instructor: Melanie DeMore

​

Melanie’s number one rule of songwriting is there are no rules. What constitutes a really good song is the fact that you’re telling the truth through your own voice. 

Songwriting: Honoring the Fire

Instructor: Julia Francis

​

Who is it that fuels that flame inside of you to take action? Honor your heroes, beloveds, or ancestors through heart-centered melodies and lyrics. You might compose a personal anthem of courage, a social justice ballad designed for a crowd, or an intimate lullabye for a loved one; let your inner spark guide you.

Band Camp

Instructor: Stephanie Smith

 

Sure, we’re all singers but do you also play the flute? Do you have a violin sitting in your closet? Do you wish you had kept playing the trumpet after you left primary school? Let’s have fun with instruments! Bring your instrument and if you need to rent one, we can work on that! Fun for all levels. All instruments welcome.

Promoting Yourself as an Artist

Instructor: Julia Francis

​

Enjoy the art of putting your best self out into the world! This is a two part class.
Part 1: Learn how to create your own brand and promotional strategy. Put it into action by creating authentic, engaging content with your own mobile phone. No experience necessary.
Part 2: We’ll share our videos with each other and discuss our inspirations and techniques.   

Singer's Gym​

Instructor: Courtney Freed

​

Singing is a sport! You work up a sweat and use an incredible amount of breath. In this workshop, you will build up your physical singing stamina and apply active techniques to help with vocal health, breath control and maintaining a strong physical presence during performance. This will be a highly enjoyable, lively, group class. Come dressed to move! Modifications will be provided for all abilities. 

Vocal Jazz

Instructor: Courtney Freed

​

Learn how to collaborate with players in jazz performance and craft a vocal interpretation that is uniquely you. In Vocal Jazz, you will have an opportunity to apply your new skills in real time and choose repertoire that best fits with your unique musical style.