News & Events

Please click here for a PDF for all the details!

Valborg Werbeck Svärdström established The School of Uncovering the Voice in collaboration with Rudolf Steiner. In January, 1924, he authorized it as an “Anthroposophic Singing School” because the approach they developed fosters the growth of the human voice in its wholeness of physical, soul, and spiritual aspects, so it supports the holistic integration of the human being.
Through this art of singing and the knowledge of the human being according to Anthroposophy, at the Raphael School for Singing and Singing-Therapy methods will be taught and abilities gained that will enable the student to realize how the singing voice can become a therapeutic tool, and how singing can serve as an anthroposophic therapeutic modality.

You are invited to Pär Ahlbom’s second “Intuitive Pedagogy” course in Guadalajara, Mexico!

Planting the seeds of trust, self-confidence, creativity and joy

In 2014 Pär Ahlbom came to teach in Guadalajara for 5 days. His visit to Mexico had a healing and mind-opening effect on the students. Pär made us move differently and expand our concept of movement, made us rediscover joyful play and hone our senses. Clear thinking and an open heart were integrated towards action. An inner revolution spawned.

In our culture, habit and inertia have crept their way into our education model, making a stale atmosphere. Pär Ahlbom encourages exploration, making mistakes, and curiosity, which allows innovation and intuition to flourish. Intuition is connected with the endless possibilities of the present moment. Through practical exercises using music, play, movement, coordination and improvisation anyone can develop their intuitive capabilities. Pär’s effect on both Waldorf education and non-Waldorf education can be profound and revolutionary.

We invite you to participate in this exciting and creative course July 15-19 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Directed toward:

• Teachers from preschool to university level
• Parents or anyone who works closely with children or adolescents
• Anyone who wishes to develop their creativity, intuition, and flexibility.

Space is limited, reserve as soon as possible!

• Cost: $3,000 pesos / $2,500 pesos if you reserve your space before May 10, 2015
• Dates: July 15-18 from 9:00AM to 6:00PM and July 19 from 9:00AM to 1:00PM
• For more information about the event in Mexico please contact Alex Jenne and visit the Facebook event here.

Photo by Adolfo Gonzalez, ‘Intuitive pedagogy’ course Guadalajara 2014

“Learning starts when people are inspired, their imagination is flourishing and they have the possibility to follow their intuition. Learning begins when people feel the possibility of creative experimentation. Usually it happens when there are other creative people around and it is possible to get fully engaged with the surroundings and oneself, totally forgetting about other things, the world outside the space.” Evelin Tamm

~ Waldorf Music Pedagogy Intensives ~

Sponsored by the Association for Waldorf Music Education

In their 16th year, the 2015 annual Waldorf Music Conference will will offer something different! This summer, based on several years of feedback and surveys by our members and conference attendees, we plan to offer two shorter intensives, each with a more specific focus relevant to certain stages of development and the accompanying curriculum.

Each morning, we will focus on instrumental work, both on proficiency and implementation in the classroom as well as on ensemble work. In the afternoons, we will turn to broader topics, including pedagogy and curriculum, alternatives to traditional ensemble work, group discussion on what it means to be a Waldorf music teacher, and the inner life of the teacher. There will also be daily opportunities for questions and answers in a forum setting. Our days will be rounded out with both movement and Werbeck singing – for our own development as well as for enhancing and supporting our work in the classroom.

Since we will be including hands-on instrumental work, we ask that you bring Choroi interval flutes, pentatonic flutes, diatonic or C-flutes, recorders of any voicing, kinder-harps or bordun lyres, and your orchestral instrument (if you play or teach it). We will also have instruments available to borrow at the school, so bring whatever you can (and extras to share, if possible).

This year’s facilitators:

• Sheila Johns – Sheila Johns taught music for 14 years at the Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda, Maryland where she served in a variety of capacities, including mentoring other music teachers. She has taught courses in the Mood of the Fifth and developed a curriculum for working with the pentatonic kinderharp for grades 1-3 as well as for an applied music course for grades 7-8. She has trainings in both instrumental and vocal anthroposophic music therapy and has been a carrying member of AWME for the last 7 years.
• Andrea Lyman – Andrea Lyman has been a Waldorf music teacher since 1992, has taught music courses at Sunbridge College, and has been an adjunct faculty member of the West Coast Institute in Vancouver, BC since 2011. In addition to evaluating and mentoring Waldorf music teachers and faculties throughout North America, she has authored several articles on the Waldorf music curriculum and has served as President of AWME since its inception in 2001.
• Monika Sutherland – Monika Sutherland has been a Waldorf music teacher for the past 15 years. Currently she is Director of Music at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School in Viroqua, WI where she leads a full choral, instrumental, and general music program. In addition to being a professional cellist, she is an adjunct faculty member in the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute Teacher Training Program and has also taught courses at Sunbridge College.
• Cate Decker – Cate Decker, M.Ed, is a movement therapist, a developmental specialist, and a Level III Spacial Dynamics Practitioner. Cate has worked extensively with musicians in recent years, exploring the element of space and working with specific ways to apply principals of Spacial Dynamics to music making situations through these accessible, archetypal exercises.

NOTE: The conference intensives will begin at 5:30pm on the first evening with registration, a simple shared meal (provided), and our official opening. The conference will end in the evening of the third full day.

Conference Intensive Fees

• Session 1 (July 21-24): Early Childhood–Grade 5 → $285 for AWME members, $325 for non-members
  
• Session 2 (July 25-28): Grade 4–High School → $285 for AWME members, $325 for non-members

OR

• Both (July 21-28): Session 1 + Session 2 → $495 for AWME members, $535 for non-members

(registration fees exclude housing, meals, or transportation)

Morning and afternoon light snacks will be provided each day during the conferences. Catered lunches and some suppers will be available for purchase.

For information on housing, meals, or transportation, please contact Tamara Meinecke.

For more questions or information, please contact Andrea Lyman.

NOTE: We have reached our required minimum of participants to support the both sessions! Consequently, the deadline has been extended from May 15th to June 30th. We are happy to accept registrations for both sessions until then, so please enroll!

________________________________________________________________________

Register now! – Deadline for registration and payment: July 13, 2015

~ Waldorf Music Pedagogy Intensives ~

Sponsored by the Association for Waldorf Music Education

In their 16th year, the 2015 annual Waldorf Music Conference will will offer something different! This summer, based on several years of feedback and surveys by our members and conference attendees, we plan to offer two shorter intensives, each with a more specific focus relevant to certain stages of development and the accompanying curriculum.

Each morning, we will focus on instrumental work, both on proficiency and implementation in the classroom as well as on ensemble work. In the afternoons, we will turn to broader topics, including pedagogy and curriculum, alternatives to traditional ensemble work, group discussion on what it means to be a Waldorf music teacher, and the inner life of the teacher. There will also be daily opportunities for questions and answers in a forum setting. Our days will be rounded out with both movement and Werbeck singing – for our own development as well as for enhancing and supporting our work in the classroom.

Since we will be including hands-on instrumental work, we ask that you bring Choroi interval flutes, pentatonic flutes, diatonic or C-flutes, recorders of any voicing, kinder-harps or bordun lyres, and your orchestral instrument (if you play or teach it). We will also have instruments available to borrow at the school, so bring whatever you can (and extras to share, if possible).

This year’s facilitators:

• Sheila Johns – Sheila Johns taught music for 14 years at the Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda, Maryland where she served in a variety of capacities, including mentoring other music teachers. She has taught courses in the Mood of the Fifth and developed a curriculum for working with the pentatonic kinderharp for grades 1-3 as well as for an applied music course for grades 7-8. She has trainings in both instrumental and vocal anthroposophic music therapy and has been a carrying member of AWME for the last 7 years.
• Andrea Lyman – Andrea Lyman has been a Waldorf music teacher since 1992, has taught music courses at Sunbridge College, and has been an adjunct faculty member of the West Coast Institute in Vancouver, BC since 2011. In addition to evaluating and mentoring Waldorf music teachers and faculties throughout North America, she has authored several articles on the Waldorf music curriculum and has served as President of AWME since its inception in 2001.
• Monika Sutherland – Monika Sutherland has been a Waldorf music teacher for the past 15 years. Currently she is Director of Music at Pleasant Ridge Waldorf School in Viroqua, WI where she leads a full choral, instrumental, and general music program. In addition to being a professional cellist, she is an adjunct faculty member in the Great Lakes Waldorf Institute Teacher Training Program and has also taught courses at Sunbridge College.
• Cate Decker – Cate Decker, M.Ed, is a movement therapist, a developmental specialist, and a Level III Spacial Dynamics Practitioner. Cate has worked extensively with musicians in recent years, exploring the element of space and working with specific ways to apply principals of Spacial Dynamics to music making situations through these accessible, archetypal exercises.

NOTE: The conference intensives will begin at 5:30pm on the first evening with registration, a simple shared meal (provided), and our official opening. The conference will end in the evening of the third full day.

Conference Intensive Fees

• Session 1 (July 21-24): Early Childhood–Grade 5 → $285 for AWME members, $325 for non-members
  
• Session 2 (July 25-28): Grade 4–High School → $285 for AWME members, $325 for non-members

OR

• Both (July 21-28): Session 1 + Session 2 → $495 for AWME members, $535 for non-members

(registration fees exclude housing, meals, or transportation)

Morning and afternoon light snacks will be provided each day during the conferences. Catered lunches and some suppers will be available for purchase.

For information on housing, meals, or transportation, please contact Tamara Meinecke.

For more questions or information, please contact Andrea Lyman.

NOTE: We have reached our required minimum of participants to support the both sessions! Consequently, the deadline has been extended from May 15th to June 30th. We are happy to accept registrations for both sessions until then, so please enroll!

________________________________________________________________________

Register now! – Deadline for registration and payment: July 13, 2015

The Lyre As Instrument For Peace

Giving Ear Toward Understanding and Reconciliation

Preceded by a Lyre Pedagogy Conference August 1-3 — Detroit, Michigan, USA

In the words of master lye teacher Anna Prokhovnik Cooper of Northern Ireland, “The modern lyre is a most unique and unusual instrument because of its purity of tone and harmonic potential. It is suitable for all ages to play, from young children to older people. Although it has specific techniques of playing, it is not a difficult instrument to master. It can be enjoyed at all levels of playing ability. Its tone gives a wonderful quality of healing and relaxation, whether it is played in a therapeutic, social, or teaching setting.”

The Lyre Association of North America is a non-profit organization that promotes the modern lyre and supports local and global lyre communities. Beginning in the year 2000, lyrists around the world have joined together every three years for an international conference. Other venues have been Germany, Sweden, and Northern Ireland. LANA previously hosted the 2003 conference in Keene, New Hampshire, and now we will be back in the USA once again.

Detroit has a rich, diverse history. In the past century, Detroit has gone from the great heights of the automobile industry to the depths of bankruptcy. The city is now growing into a vibrant new era of rebuilding its community through embracing the cultural diversity of its citizens. Among many other things, the area boasts historical museums and churches, art and cultural centers, a river walk, riverboat cruises to the great lakes, and nature walks on Belle Isle.

Our host for this summer’s conference will be Wayne State University, which is in a safe and beautiful setting in the center of the city. The campus is located just two blocks from the magnificent Detroit Institute of Arts and a short bus ride from the Detroit River.

The Lyre 2015 Planning Group has designed a varied program around our theme of The Lyre As Instrument for Peace. In addition to a morning musical plenum, afternoon lyre groups, and evening concerts, we will have two different types of workshops: morning workshops related to our conference theme and afternoon workshops on more wide-ranging topics of general interest to our lyre community. We are happy to include with this letter a link to the official Conference Registration forms, which you can find here:

Conference Brochure and Registration (PDF)

Online Registration

Schedule (in German)

Registration includes a Youth Lyre Workshop (Aug 3-8), for ages 9 through adolescence, and a Lyre Pedagogy Conference (Aug 1-3, 2015).

Those attending our conference this summer will represent a complete continuum of musical skill and experience. From very experienced lyrists to rank beginners who have little musical experience or have never played the lyre before, this summer’s conference in Detroit will have something to offer for everyone, and we encourage all who have an interest in this important theme to join us in playing, listening, and exploring together through our work with the lyre, toward the possibility of furthering understanding and reconciliation in the world.

Christiaan Boele, master teacher, choir director, and singer, will present his advanced training course for the second time on the East Coast! German Werbeck singer and pedagogue Gerda Euskirchen will be assisting. The Second East Coast Singing Training course will take place at the facilities of the Threefold Educational Foundation, over a 31⁄2 year period-for five days in July and for a three–day weekend in February.

Singing Training Topics

• Session 1: Exercises to Forget the Breathing – July 5-9, 2016
• Session 2: Directing the Sounds – February 2017
• Session 3: Vowels and Consonants  July 2017
• Session 4: Expansion – February 2017
• Session 5: Reflection of the Sound – June  2017
• Session 6: Reflection of the Word – February 2017
• Session 7: Summary and Closing – June 2018

Summer sessions include:

• 5 morning intensives
• 4 afternoon small group classes
• 3 evening choir rehearsals
• 2 private lessons (one with Christiaan; one with Gerda)

Total Cost:

• Sessions 1: $800
• Sessions 2-7: $1,200

Application Process:

Deadline May 31, 2016

• Maximum enrollment, 30 students
• Applications received after May 31 will be considered as space permits

Applications for the Second East Coast Singing Training should include:

1. A paragraph about why you would like to participate in the course
2. Your contact information-Name, full mailing address, phone including cell, email address
3. A deposit of $200 with the application
4. Please make checks payable to Christiaan Boele

All should be mailed to course registrar Shannon Boyce 8 Capricorn Lane Chestnut Ridge, NY 10952

The remaining $600 is due by May 31, 2016

An emailed acknowledgement will be sent to you upon receipt of your application, which will include housing resources. Should you need to cancel prior to May 31, 2016, your deposit and payments, less a handling charge of $75, will be returned. A refund cannot be given after May 31. For further inquiries, including payment plans, please contact Shannon by email or by phone at 646-932-6062.

Visit our website: werbecksinging.com

Christiaan Boele

Born in 1956 at The Hague in the Netherlands, Christiaan Boele exhibited strong musicianship early in life — a a solid foundation for future study and his life’s work in music. He currently lives in Mendig, Germany and conducts various master classes, courses and schooling of the voice sessions around the world. Students from over ten countries travel to Christiaan to study. In addition, he leads a touring ensemble of twelve singers and continues to perform as a soloist.

Explore the 4 Elements in Singing > Meet the Earth – Air – Fire – Water in your voice

Singing is not just about the voice – it’s about LIFE. Given the pivotal role our voices play in our lives, don’t you find it surprising how little attention we give to them? What this workshop will demonstrate to you is: how changing aspects of your voice can spark other positive changes in your lives.

For more details & to see the leaflet use this link.

Fees:

• £74 (for booking by May 15th), £82 (by June 15th), £88 (thereafter)
• Couples, OAPs, and Group Bookings (3+): £68 / £73 / £78
• Saturday Attendance Only: £48

~ The Waldorf Music Continuum: How do we meet the developing child through music? ~

Sponsored by the Association for Waldorf Music Education

In its 17th year, the 2016 Waldorf Summer Music Conference will offer a journey through the grades, looking more closely at what stands behind the music curriculum. Bringing ‘the right thing at the right time’ is the hallmark of Waldorf education, and the music curriculum reflects this profound pedagogy.

Our work together will explore the what, when, how, and why of what we do, and how it meets each stage of the child’s development. Included in this spectrum will be hands-on experience with the instruments we use in our curriculum, a deeper look at Rudolf Steiner’s indications for bringing music to children, alternatives to traditional ensemble work, the changing voice, and more! There will also be sessions dedicated to questions and answers. For our own development as well as for enhancing and supporting our work in the classroom, our days will be rounded out with Werbeck vocal exercises and choral work in addition to movement and games.
Since we will be including hands-on instrumental work, we ask participants to bring Choroi interval flutes, pentatonic flutes, diatonic/C-flutes, recorders of any voicing, kinderharps, or bordun lyres, if possible. We will also have some instruments available to borrow at the school, but please bring whatever you have, and extras to share, if possible! On Thursday evening, we will have our traditional music sharing for the larger community – everyone is welcome to attend! For this occasion, participants are invited to bring any and all instruments to make music to share with each other as well as extra copies of sheet music if you would like to prepare something with others.

This year’s facilitators:

• Sheila Johns – Sheila Johns taught music for 14 years at the Washington Waldorf School in Bethesda, Maryland where she served in a variety of capacities, including mentoring other music teachers. She teaches courses in the mood of the fifth and has developed a curriculum for working with the pentatonic kinderharp for grades 1-3 as well as for an applied music course for grades 7/8. Sheila served as president of the Lyre Association of North America for 9 years and has trainings in both instrumental and vocal anthroposophic music therapy. She has been a carrying member of AWME for the last 8 years.
• Andrea Lyman – Andrea Lyman has been a Waldorf music teacher since 1992, has taught music courses at Sunbridge College, Waldorf Institute of Southern California, Sound Circle Center, and has been an adjunct faculty member of the West Coast Institute in Vancouver, BC since 2011. In addition to evaluating and mentoring Waldorf music teachers and faculties throughout North America, Andrea also gives courses and workshops in South America and Asia. She has authored several articles on the Waldorf music curriculum and has served as president of AWME since its inception in 2001.

NOTE: The conference will begin at 5:30pm on Sunday, July 10th, with registration; a simple shared meal (provided), and our official opening. The conference will end midday of the following Friday, July 15th.

Conference Fee:

$455 for AWME members ($40 discount!), $495 for non-members

(registration fees exclude housing, meals, or transportation)

For information on housing, meals, or transportation, please contact Diana Bright.

For more questions or information, please contact Andrea Lyman.

PLEASE NOTE: In the event that we do not have the required minimum number of participants to support the conference, registered participants will be notified by April 18th, and all payment will be returned. If we do have a minimum by April 15th, we will continue to take registration and payment until June 1st.

________________________________________________________________________

Register now! – Our minimum number of participants has been met! We welcome all registrations through June 25, 2016.

Cancellation Policy:

• $350 up until deadline
• $200 from May 15-June 25th
• Non-refundable after June 25th

Would you love to be able to READ MUSIC?

There are still places available if you would like to join this course…

Testimonial:

“Tonalis has the most wonderful and effective methods for teaching you how to read and understand music. They go far beyond mechanically reading music; they enable you to feel and embody it. I learnt more in one day with Tonalis than I had done in decades of music lessons and choir singing.” –(Sophie Baker participant on Tonalis ‘Inner Life of Music’ Training)

For more details & to see the leaflet use this link.

Fees:

• £74 (for booking by May 15th), £82 (by June 15th), £88 (thereafter)
• Couples, OAPs, and Group Bookings (3+): £68 / £73 / £78
• Saturday Attendance Only: £48

Tuition Fees:

• 1 installment, £475
• 2 installments, £495 (i.e.2x £248)
• 3 installments, £520 (i.e.3x£174)
• Discounted Fees = £20 deducted from the Fees for Early Booking by June 1st.
• Work Scholarship Fee: £65 off the above fees. A LIMITED number of Work Scholarships are available to help with setting up and clearing away, etc. Priority is given to students and people on Income Support. Please check availability.

Discover Everything You Need to Lead and Inspire Children’s Singing

Come and explore:

• Voice Education – for Teacher & Child,
• New Multi-sensory Song Teaching Methods,
• a New Progression for Teaching Part Songs,
• How to Help Children who cannot Pitch Match,
• the Boy’s Changing Voice in Adolescence,
• and much more . . .

This Course will inspire everyone involved in Children’s Singing and is appropriate for participants with ALL levels of vocal and musical experience.

For more details & to see the leaflet use this link.

Fees:

• £190 (for booking by May 15th), £200 (by June 20th), £210 (thereafter)
• £180 for Waldorf Teachers; £170 for STUDENTS & 2 TEACHERS FROM THE SAME SCHOOL (both by June 1st)
• Work Scholarship Fee: £135 A work scholarship is available to students and the unwaged.