The Tuscany Project
Sing Your Song
Umbria, Italy
June 30 – July 7, 2018
In 2018, The Tuscany Project is offering its “classic” workshop. The focus will be making a song your own and sharing it with an audience in your own unique way. The project is suitable for singers of all levels — from professionals/semi-professionals to those with significant performance experience to those have never sung soli before in public — to anything in between. The process of the workshop will enable every participant to sing a song from a deeper place, sharing it with an audience, and move it beyond “the art of making beautiful sounds on pitch.” We will work on voice, song interpretation, movement and stage presence, and we will come together as a group each day to experience the joy of singing in harmony with others. We invite you to join us!
Participants come together in a supportive environment where the group and the individual’s process are respected. The work we do is not about competition; it is about celebrating each participant’s own unique voice in a vibrant, international community of singers and teachers. For 25 years, we have had the joy of meeting and working with people of all ages, nationalities and skill levels. The only prerequisites are an open mind, a desire to sing, and the courage to take risks. Make yourself and your voice a priority and join us!
“This program connects art and soul and, in so doing, it changes each person who participates. It creates communion, community, friendship and love. And this program is for artists at any place in their lives or their craft. I came to the Tuscany Project not knowing what to expect or what I would learn. And I have come away with a vast wealth of new skills, friends, and experiences. Through group singing, working at the piano and taking all of these experiences into my heart, I have found a new way to sing and the courage to bring my soul onto the stage. This was the best instruction I have received in 20+ years of professional training.” — Shana Pennington-Baird, Director at Seattle Voice Institute
THE APPROACH
The Tuscany Project mixes group and individual work, focusing on each person’s growing edge in the area of vocal exploration, movement, performance presence, and song presentation. Our approach integrates the intellectual, emotional, and the physical aspects of voice and song. Although the program involves intense work, it also includes time to experience the Italian dolce vita: slowing down; dinners that last hours; the beauty of infinity pool and the Umbrian hills. Constant emphases are the passion and joy of singing and power of body, voice, soul, and community.
At the core of our work is a number of principles:
– The power of breath
– The connection between voice, body and soul
– Freeing the body and voice
– The belief that everyone is capable of singing
– The encouragement to take risks
– Balancing being in the spotlight with being lit from within
“A year on, I am still feeling the effects of the project and my creativity has just shot up. I‘ve never sung so well, or been so unafraid to explore, and to do that in a live performance context. Every time I go out on stage it‘s almost irrelevant that there is an audience; I just want to let rip.” — Louise Rutkowski, (This Mortal Coil) singer and recording artist, London, England
WHERE IT IS
The Tuscany Project: ITALY (named for the area where the project began) now takes place in the green hills of Umbria. The villa in which we will be living and working, the Locanda del Gallo, is a restored 12th century villa located on a secluded hillside near the towns of Perugia and Gubbio, not far from Assisi, and about halfway between Rome and Florence.
The rooms at the Locanda sleep 2 to 3 people with family suites that sleep 4 (2 to a room). The property includes an amazing swimming pool with a panoramic vista of the entire valley. Meals emphasizing local culinary traditions are eaten on a terrace and usually savored alfresco at the leisurely Italian pace. Organic vegetables and aromatic herbs from the kitchen garden, olive oil from the on-site olive grove, home-made yogurt, cakes and breads — the food is local, fresh and in the finest traditions of Mediterranean cuisine. And never fear: dietary restrictions are accommodated happily without any sacrifice of taste or quality.
Locanda del Gallo can be easily reached by car or train from the international airports in Rome or Florence.
DETAILS
Adult singers of all levels are welcome, from beginners to professionals. Past students have included singers, musicians, actors, teachers, bankers, bakers, insurance brokers, artists, doctors, massage therapists…and, we hope…you! There are almost always students who have never sung in public before: the only prerequisites are a passion for singing, a sense of discovery, an openness to working and the courage to take risks.
2018 will include 7 days of singing with inspirational teachers at the glorious Locanda Del Gallo in the Umbrian region of Italy.
This ‘Classic’ project offers the chance to grow as a soulful singer and performer through small group classes on body, voice, presence and Improvisation with Anja, as well as interpretation, connecting with an audience, finding the power of your voice and making a song your own with Belle and Ron. It’s an intimate, intensive, and joyful experience. Sing, discover, and make new friendships from all corners of the globe!
Space is limited; therefore, early enrollment is recommended.
Additional information regarding local festivals, travel, and practical arrangements will be sent upon registration.
TUITION: 765 Euro (approx. $945 USD)
- All classes are included in this fee.
ROOM AND BOARD: 840 Euros (approx $1038 USD)
- This includes shared accommodations and three full delicious meals per day.
- Limited single rooms are available for an extra fee. If you are interested, please mention this in your inquiry.
A deposit of 300 Euro will secure your space (approx. $370 USD)
Travel costs are not included.
Payment is in Euros using Visa, Mastercard and American Express and wire transfer.
For an enrollment form, click ENROLLMENT.
CONTACT
Shaynee Rainbolt, Administrator
admin@tuscanyproject.com
917.547.8796
tuscanyproject.com
