Vocal Playground - with Emma Coleman

Dive in and explore individual expression and collaborative creativity in a women's* weekend of spontaneous collective singing.

As the days darken, we’ll turn towards the magic of Samhain as a time to connect to the wisdom inside ourselves and a time for inner journeys.

This is not about learning to perform! It’s about discovering the music of the moment together, finding the courage to express ourselves, listening deeply to ourselves and each other, and co-creating vocal magic.
 

[*Women: For the purposes of the intended group, content and funding secured for this weekend, by 'women' we mean cis women and those assigned female at birth who identify as gender non-binary/gender fluid.]
 

What is it?

💥Collaborative Vocal Improvisation is the art of making spontaneously co-created vocal music with other singers. It is becoming more and more popular in Europe and now in the UK because it is so magical, connecting, empowering, grounding and fun💥
 

This workshop is a space for ~14 singers to…

✨ Explore and celebrate your unique individual expression in spontaneous vocal music
✨ Build confidence and grow trust in yourself, your voice, your creativity
✨ Be heard and held in a supportive, playful, light atmosphere
✨ Sing from the body and heart, and get out of the thinking-brain 
✨ Find joy and feel alive, making grooves, soundscapes, storysongs, and sweet sweet music!
✨ Connect with a cosy group of new friends who love to sing, play and grow

Is it for me?

🌱 Are you interested in exploring your voice and finding new ways of expressing yourself?
🌱 Are you excited to co-create vocal magic, in-the-moment, with a small group of other singers?
🌱 Can you match pitch and keep a pulse?
🌱 Do feel comfortable singing on your own in a cosy, trusted group?
 
If yes, yes, yes, and yes, then YES!

 

What will we do?

🪁 Get curious and playful with our voices, exploring ourselves and the space where our voices meet through intuitive and embodied play

🔥 Shake off any nerves and move through and beyond any fears of singing in this way

🎶 Learn games and structures to explore different ways into collaborative vocal improvisation, or spontaneous singing

✨ Have lots of fun exploring and co-creating spontaneous vocal magic!

What if I’m a bit nervous?

💫 That is totally understandable. Singing in front of people can be really vulnerable, and this space honours where everyone is at in that journey. You’ll be encouraged to be brave and try new things, and you are also always encouraged to listen to your body and draw your own boundaries, and invited to pass or sit out and watch if a particular game or exercise isn’t for you. You never have to do anything you don’t want to do! Also, this is a judgement-free zone where ‘mistakes’ are welcomed and encouraged. No need for perfection here. Just a space to play, explore, and grow.


 Details:

🌿 31st October/ 1st November
🌿 Saturday 10-5 / Sunday 10-5
🌿 Caddaford Barn Studios, Caddaford, Buckfastleigh
 

Previous participants said:

• “I felt so touched by Emma's kindness, positivity and generosity. Put simply, she lights up the room! I've learnt so much and have had huge amounts of fun along the way.”
• “Her own curiosity for how music works is infectious, and aside from being an excellent educator she is an inspiring vocal artist.”
• “Emma really is an incredible teacher who leads with such care and love on top of her knowledge and skills, and that really makes all the difference!”
• "I loved Emma’s contagious enthuasiasm!"
• “Her voice is like a cashmere hug!”
  
   

About Emma:

Emma Coleman (she/her) is a singer, cellist and vocal workshop leader based in Leeds. She fell in love with vocal improvisation in 2015 and has been exploring it ever since, drawn to the way it brings individual voices and collective creativity together.

Her musical background spans orchestral training, Indian classical music, folk and jazz. She performs with Afro-folk quintet Me and My Friends, international vocal improv band Oöm, and Leeds-based Wildsong Collective, and has written and recorded with folk artists Georgie Buchanan and Flo Perlin.

As a facilitator, Emma co-founded UK Vocal Improv Collective and runs Vocal Playground, offering courses, retreats and jam sessions for both newcomers and experienced improvisers. She's studied with teachers including Rhiannon, Música do Círculo, and David Eskenazy.

Workshop participants describe Emma as leading with love and care, and bringing an infectious curiosity for how music works. Expect a warm welcome, playfulness, and plenty of room to explore, whatever your experience level.