photo: maria moreno

I N D I V I D U A L  S E S S I O N S

vocal freedom

For vocalists (who have a practice, not necessarily professional) who wish to develop a personal project, seek support in anchoring their vocal technique, further explore creative paths or specific aesthetics in improvisational languages (based on your own vocabulary) ; a private session is recommended. Healing and technique combine the same intentions my teaching: to liberate one's voice and tap into the deep well of creativity it offers. To attune to the vibrations that the body creates and resonates with is an essential process to blooming as a vocalist, and to access the transformative power of sound - regardless of aesthetics. Technique is the tool with which one accesses freedom to safely explore the infinite array of sounds one's voice can generate. I draw from singing techniques related to physics & phonemes to develop the vocal apparatus safely and holistically. Together we will identify your specific needs and work towards greater alignment with your natural voice and expression journey.
In home (see performance schedule for city, mostly NYC but often traveling) to schedule directly with me via home page contact

sound healing

Your ear is the sense that is most directly related to your emotional brain. It is also the one sense that cannot be "turned off", your ear is always receiving, without pause, ever. Rather that perceiving this as a vulnerable, soft spot, we use the ear as an access point to deep meditation. To find inner silence, inner peace with healing vibrations, sounds that attune to the extraordinary openness and sensitivity of hearing. To balance outer and inner ear, and connect to a safe, trusting space deep inside, that is yours only to retreat within and to explore. Just like in my performances, I work with the energy of the people present, but much more focused. I intent to bring balance with the music I play, that is improvised and responding to your needs of the moment. I use sacred instruments such as Tibetan singing bowls made of 7 metals, voice, percussion & gong to work on vibratory balancing holistically. With an intention set together at the beginning of the session, and according to one's specific needs, it takes the form of a sound healing bath that you can just receive or participate to.

For scheduling a private session please contact me via home page.
For being informed of the workshops and community sound healing sessions please sign up below.

vocal studies background

current offerings

I studied vocal improvisation at Paris 13th Conservatory with Claudia Solal, as well as Beñat Achiary & Jen Shyu, vocal technique with Hélène Sage and Judith Berkson, and vocal caranatic singing (South Indian) with Kamini Dandapani. I studied sound healing and circle singing with master improviser William Parker and music therapist Dominique Sylvain (Joyshanti), as well as with Meredith Monk Ensemble. My development as a vocalist was closely in touch with various singing and body rhythm traditions from Africa (especially Shona from Zimbabwe) and the African Diaspora (especially Haiti & Brazil). I approach teaching as an exchange: as an eternal student, teaching and learning are part of the same cycle. I have taught singing classes from beginners to professionals in Paris, New York & São Paulo, circle singing and vocal improvisation workshops in the US, Haiti, Colombia, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Chile from favelas to universities. Thus I became an unique facilitator for community-based circle singing, vocal improvisation, body percussion & vocal technique supporting musical freedom and collective empowerment.

- Individual classes with focus on creative development; singing technique; improvisation. Rhythm, harmony and melody vocal studies, and initiation to percussion. From beginners to accomplished musicians, all ages.
- Individual sound healing sessions
- Circle singing workshops
- "Story Songs of the African Diaspora" - free workshops in New York public libraries, in partnership with Urban Stages
- Children & young adults:
Performative musical creativity through voice, body rhythm & percussion training. Gently providing the bases for musicians and performers' skills sustainable growth.
Interactive Afrocentric oral history classes