3 1/2 Day Catskills Intensive - UnMuted: Reclaiming Your Authentic Expression Through Music and Mindset

Though “UnMuted” is beneficial to anyone 21 and over who is interested in exploring their relationship with their voice and vocal communication, and no prior musical or acting experience is needed in order to participate fully. It can also be of particular interest to actors and singers and serves as professional development for them.

Using Meisner based acting exercises, Anthony Braxton’s improvisational Ghost Trance Music, inspiration from Kristin Linklater’s “Finding Shakespeare’s Voice,” and specially selected breath and vocal exercises, this is a 3 1/2 day intensive wherein different aspects of vocal and non-vocal communication are targeted by each activity:

*Social conditioning (noticing and repatterning maladaptive beliefs and behaviors with regard to communicating one’s thoughts and feelings)

*Maintaining connection to oneself while remaining present and responsive to another

*The stability and flexibility of the vocal instrument (to maintain strength and responsiveness when in potentially intimidating, threatening or emotional circumstances) and

*Learning to identify, trust, and act on one’s healthy instincts.

Each intensive is small, with just 3 to 4 participants. The Lodge where it is held is a log home on over 53 acres of forest with a pond and waterfalls with two open lofts, each having two beds per loft for participants. This friendly, small scale allows for greater one-on-one training within the community learning environment, and gives each participant the time and attention needed to go very deeply into the work.

The unique nature of these activities can also benefit couples who are looking for a unique approach to developing better emotional intimacy outside of a therapy environment.

UnMuted registration cost is all-inclusive: 8 meals, 3 nights lodging, 14 hours of intensive training, and hopefully wonderful memories, training, experiences, and friendships that you will benefit from for a lifetime.

At the lunch break, there is also the option to explore some of the 53 acres of forest with Elizabeth, with a hike to the pond and one of the waterfalls as a refresher between sessions.

It is of utmost importance to me that each workshop is an emotionally safe, drama free, dynamic, informative, and delightful experience for all participants. Given the number of training hours, the depth and breadth of the training, the beauty of the location, and the individualized care and consideration given to each participant, the cost is being kept to an absolute minimum. At the same time, for many people it represents a significant investment. Because of this, interested participants are asked to reach out to me to schedule a video chat prior to registering. At that time I can answer any additional questions you may have about the workshop, we can both ascertain if this is a good fit for you, and I can get a feel for which people seem likely to have a special chemistry with which other people, so that each group of 3 to 4 is carefully designed with all participants in mind. To this end, after each individual’s interview, once their registration is confirmed, I add them to my record of all retreat dates that other potential participants are available to attend, and select each small group carefully with those individuals in mind.

If you and up to three friends or you and your partner are interested in doing this workshop privately, you are welcome to reach out to me to ascertain if there a special session that can be reserved for you. Preference is given to workshops that can be scheduled Sunday evening to Wednesday morning, or if needed, the workshop can be condensed to begin Sunday and finish Tuesday at 3pm/4pm instead of Wednesday morning. The condensed workshop retains the 16+ hours of intensive training.