The MultiDimensional Singer Workshop 2014

Join Carol McAmis and Stephen Paparo for a five-day learning retreat that explores a multi-dimensional approach to singing! We build upon traditional practices with new information from neuroscience, motor learning theory, and cymatics, as well as other fields, and its application to teaching and learning. The workshop at the beautiful Light on the Hill retreat center in Van Etten, New York, offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a serene and supportive environment while transforming your notion of what it means to sing and how to teach singing. You will explore the essential skills for singing through several full-length Awareness Through Movement® lessons of the Feldenkrais Method® as well as many other shorter explorations that can be easily incorporated into practice sessions, lessons, or choral rehearsals to build technical and artistic skills in an engaging and pleasurable way. Teachers and conductors will have an opportunity to work with individuals or small groups to build confidence using these new techniques. Throughout the workshop, there will be numerous opportunities for group and solo singing. We invite you to bring a solo song to sing – anything from Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star to opera arias and all styles in between is music to our ears. We look forward to sharing this special time with you!

 

Register Now!

Tuition Cost: $400

Option 1: Housing and Meals: $365 (includes 4 nights lodging and 11 meals)

The Inner Light Lodge at Light on the Hill is a uniquely designed facility with large windows overlooking a sweeping view of rolling hills and meadows. It houses up to 30 people-18 single rooms, 3 rooms each with both a double and single bed, and one room with a double bed. The simple rooms have excellent soundproofing with a large window in each overlooking the beautiful grounds. Four bathrooms with a total of 8 showers and 10 toilets are a short walk down one of the halls.

Meals include breakfast, lunch, and dinner on 7/10, 7/11, 7/12 and breakfast and lunch on 7/13. All meals are gourmet vegetarian with many vegan options, and are organic wherever possible. Meals are prepared on the premises. Please inform us of your dietary restrictions, if any, on the registration form.

Option 2: Commuter fee: $225 (includes facility fee and 11 meals)

Meals include lunch and dinner on 7/10, 7/11, 7/12 and lunch on 7/13. All meals are gourmet vegetarian with many vegan options, and are organic wherever possible. Meals are prepared on the premises. Please inform us of your dietary restrictions, if any, on the registration form.

Registration and Cancellation Policies:

To register, click on the “Register Now” button. Fill out and submit the online registration form. A $100 deposit may be paid in-advance to reserve your place; the remainder of the balance must be paid in full by the start of the workshop on 7/9. Only cash and checks will be accepted. Full payment in advance is also welcome. Send your check (made payable to The MultiDimensional Singer) to the following address: 168 Graham Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.

Refunds are available (minus a $50 processing fee) before July 2nd (one week prior). No refund is available if you cancel after July 2nd, or if you arrive late or leave early for any reason.

Professional Development Hours:

Fifteen (15) hours of professional development credit is available at no extra cost. Certificate of participation is available upon request in advance.

Meet the Presenters

 

 

Soprano Carol McAmis has been a member of the Ithaca College voice faculty since 1979.  She holds Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from University of Kansas.  A Guild Certified Practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method® of Somatic Education, Professor McAmis is a pioneer in the field of holistic voice training. She has presented workshops on using the Feldenkrais Method in the voice studio both nationally and internationally for such groups as the National Association of Teachers of Singing, Opera America, the New York State School Music Association, the Feldenkrais Guild® of North America, the University of Minnesota, Syracuse University, the Irish World Music Center, the National Flute Conference and the National Trombone Conference, and the West Point Military Band.

Her special area of interest is the living body as a musical instrument and developing the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual skills for artistic performance. Her publications include articles for Sensibility, the public newsletter of the Feldenkrais Guild of North America and for Voiceprints, the online journal of the New York Singing Teachers’ Association. She is the inventor of The Singer’s PlayBox TM, a collection of innovative games and other activities for developing singing and artistic skills, currently in use in voice studios, public and private schools throughout the United States. She is currently at work on two books: The Singer’s Quick Start Guide to Singing Well, and FlowerSongsTM: Using Flower Essences to Enhance the Singing Voice.

Stephen A. Paparo in Assistant Professor of Music Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses and conducts the University Chorale. Paparo holds degrees from Michigan State University (Ph.D.), Syracuse University (M.M.), and Ithaca College (B.M.), and specializes in choral music education. He is a Guild Certified Practitioner of the Feldenkrais Method® of Somatic Education and incorporates this body awareness technique in choral rehearsals to develop healthy and resonant singing. As a former public school teacher, Paparo taught junior and senior high school choral music for ten years in New Hartford, NY and earned National Board Certification in 2003. Paparo is active as a guest conductor and clinician. He regularly presents at state, national, and international conferences and is published in Music Education Research, Michigan Music Educator, and Massachusetts Music News. Paparo is Student Activities Chair for the Massachusetts American Choral Directors Association.