By

HEALING SOUND RETREAT at
SHAMBHALA MOUNTAIN CENTER, COLORADO

with Christine Stevens and Silvia Nakkach

WHEN: August 29–September 1, 2014

FEES: $255 + 3 nights

Join two internationally renowned teachers in a powerful and illuminating exploration of cross-cultural rhythms and the inspired voice. This highly experiential program introduces you to the most ancient and transformative vehicles to support healing and release joy: Voice & Rhythm. Through guided sound-centered contemplative practices of drumming and chanting, you’ll gather an original repertoire of medicine melodies to use personally and in shamanic, psychotherapy, and wellness sessions.

We will explore the use of music as a gateway for therapeutic processes and community peacemaking. You’ll experience the emotional magic that comes from singing the icaros of the Peruvian Amazon, and indigenous traditions from India, Tibet, Africa, and the Americas, including cross-cultural modalities of rhythm and chanting to evolve your spiritual practice.

No prior musical experience necessary!
Being alive, you have a voice and a heartbeat.  Drums provided.

REGISTER NOW

Christine Stevens, MSW, MT-BC, MA, is the founder of UpBeat Drum Circles and author of the Sounds True books Music Medicine and the Healing Drum Kit.  She has appeared on PBS, NBC, and led the first drum circle training in a war-zone in northern Iraq.
Visit: Christine Stevens  www.ubdrumcircles.com

Silvia Nakkach, MA, MMT, a pioneer in the field of sound and transformation of consciousness, is an award-winning composer, voice-culturist, and a former psychologist. She is on the faculty of the California Institute of Integral Studies and founder of the Vox Mundi School of the Voice. A long-time student of the late maestro Ali Akbar Khan, she has released 10 CD-albums and authored Free Your Voice.

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Registration takes place from 2:00–5:00 p.m. on your program start date. All participants and volunteer staff must check in at our Guest Registration house. Please arrive before 5:00 p.m. to check in and settle into your accommodations. Your program begins with dinner, followed by an orientation. The Guest Registration house closes at 5:30 p.m. after which no one is available to provide information or orient you to your accommodations. All programs usually end at 12:30 p.m. on the program’s departure date, followed by lunch. Further specifics regarding your program’s schedule will be available upon arrival. If applicable, you will receive an email from the program coordinator in the week prior to your program with any additional information you may need.

Program Details & Registration

ONGOING THURSDAY EVES @ THE VOICE LOFT

Sacred Resonance; Feel the Life within the Ragas
Dhrupad and Raga Singing
Vocal Improvisation & Raga Choir
with Silvia Nakkach

WHEN
Thursdays, February: 20, 27, March 6 & 13
Time: 7:30 – 9:00pm

LOCATION
At The Voice Loft, in Emeryville

FEES
Four Sessions $120 – paid in full on 1st session, or $35 drop-in

These sessions involved 1 and ½ hour of uninterrupted singing practice, including mantra healing, kirtan, raga choir, and contemporary vocal improvisation.

Please, let us know if you are planning to come @ voxmundi@yahoo.com
If you are not a regular student check the dates (on this site) prior to coming.
Pre-Registration is highly recommended mail a check or PAYPAL/Eventbrite

The Program
Experience modern techniques of vocal Improvisation based on the 108 Strategies to Free Your Voice, learn the art of melody and experience inner divinity and the life within the ragas.

The Ragas are the most important link to the essence of Indian classical music. The appreciation and experience of the raga becomes profoundly meaningful to spiritual seekers as well as to the trained musician. The word “rag” is derived from the Sanskrit “raga” which means “color,” or “passion.” Ragas, therefore, may be thought of as an acoustic method of coloring the mind of the listener with an emotion. Ragas are not just musical scales or modes, they are described by master musicians as divinely inspired melodic entities.

These call-response chanting sessions focus on the main characteristics of several ragas by cultivating familiarity with the pitches and particular tonal movement and their introductory melodic phrases. We will discover the beauty of the shrutis (micro-tones that are revealed in the space between the notes), and the transformational power of the rasas (a rasa is that which gives “taste” to the mind), which relates to aesthetic sentiments such as love, joy, devotion, wonder, heroism, peace, and detachment evoked by the rendering of the ragas.

Students learn various styles of devotional chanting: Dhrupad singing, Saregam, Khyal and Kirtan, and how to desing a vocal practice. Ragas are the greatest music teachers, because through the traditional practice of call and response, these awakening melodies stimulate our memory, while refining our senses deeply and delightfully.

Silvia Nakkach studied Hindustani music and raga singing under the direction of the late maestro Ali Akbar Khan from 1982-2009 uninterruptedly with, and for the past 13 years, she has devoted her time to the study and mastery of Dhrupad singing with Dr. Ritwick Sanyal in Benares (India), and through extended retreats with Yvan Trunzler, Nirmalia Dey, and the Gundecha Brothers. She has developed exceptional qualities for the teaching and the interpretation of the alap (invocation or introduction to the picture of the raga, no rhythmic section), and with erudite sensibility she transmits the distinctive emotional character of each raga and its relation with rasa (mood) and consciousness transformation. She is known for having the gift of making simple and joyous the access to the complexity of ragas, mentoring committed students to cultivate a powerful practice.

To read more about this topic go to READINGS on this site:

RASA, INTO THE CORE OF MUSIC HEALING, by Silvia Nakkach, M.A., MMT.

Vox Mundi – Voice Loft is located at The Besler Building, Emeryville, CA

The Voice Loft is a sacred space for the musical, healing and sacred arts in Emeryville, CA. The Voice Loft is also available for a wide variety of bookings with affordable rates, including classes, weekend workshops, concerts, lectures, recitals & rehearsals. The space is simply ready for your creative work!

• Rental Prices

  RENTAL RATES and FEES

  All these rates are flexible according to the character of the event, ongoing rentals,
  or if it is presented by someone from our community, or involves a non-profit organization.Private Sessions/Hourly Rentals
  $30 per hr
  (includes auditions, rehearsals, etc.)
  
  Day-Long Workshops
  $300 – am pm
  $500-600 – am pm & eveWeekend Workshops
  $600 – 6-hour am pm (12 hrs total)
  $900 – am pm & evePerformances and Concerts
  $300 – incl. pm and eve, use of kitchen
  Additional fee(s) apply for the use of professional sound equipment, high tech, instrument rental, etc.
  Advance deposit required on all rentals
  Refundable security deposit of $100 required on bookings of over three (3) hours
  Room set-up – extra-hours fees may apply 

• Voice Loft Gallery Photos

  

  

  

  

  

General Orientation:

The Voice LOFT is right on the corner of HARLAN and 40th St – our windows are actually above the two street signs.

and right across from the entrance of HOME DEPOT Shopping Center, Starbucks, and other businesses.

HARLAN St. is located three blocks WEST of San Pablo Ave, and two blocks EAST of HOLLIS.

We are located four blocks East (behind) IKEA in Emeryville.

DIRECTIONS From BART: Easy & Free access from MacArthur BART Station
From MacArthur BART take the Emery Go Round – Shuttle (where all shuttles park. This is a FREE Shuttle bus – one goes to PIXAR– and walk 2 tiny blocks to Harlan and 40th. Also there’s anotherEMERY GO ROUND shuttle that stops on 40th and HOLLIS! – ask the Driver – you want to go to PIXAR or HOLLIS and 40th.

For details can visit:
EmeryGoRound.com

ALL DRIVING DIRECTIONS – BELOW 

Parking:

Park behind the EMERYVILLE TOWN HALL – we share that Lot with the city of Emeryville, located on HAVEN ST.

Don’t park perpendicular to the BUILDING, that is RESERVED parking for residents.

• DIRECTIONS from SAN FRANCISCO – BAY BRIDGE

  
  

  Going I-80 East – after the bridge

  Stay in the center lane – Take I-580 EAST RAMP towards DOWNTOWN OAKLAND(CA-24)/HAYWARD-STOCKTON

  Merge onto I-580 East – get immediately to the left, and carefully exit left onto MacArthur/San Pablo Ave.

  Keep RIGHT at the fork in the ramp and exit San Pablo Ave.

  Turn immediate LEFT onto EMERY. (first light)

  Turn LEFT onto 40TH ST ( second light)

  Make two small blocks

  Turn RIGHT onto HARLAN ST. – the Besler Building is on your left

  Don’t park on Harlan St – go through the building Parking where the cars park parallel, cross the street and park

  on the Parking Lot of the Emeryville TownHall and Besler Building (which is actually on Haven St (parallel and West of Harlan St )

  YOU ARE HERE > If you park in this Parking Lot -cross Haven St and you’ll find the main door with the BLACK AWNING that reads: BESLER BUILDING

• ALTERNATIVE DIRECTIONS from SAN FRANCISCO

  After the bridge, take the Exit towards San RAFAEL Bridge

  Take the Powel St Exit, drive East, towards the Oakland Hills.
  Same directions coming from 80 West.

  Pass three stop lights, one is under the overpass.
  Take a RIGHT on HOLLIS St, go 5 blocks and take a LEFT on PARK ST.

  You’ll see the Emeryville Town Hall, with high palm trees,

  and PIXAR Animation campus – is on construction -on your left

  Take first RIGHT on HAVEN ST. and Park on the Parking Lot.
  (Haven St is closer to the entrance door & lot.)

  Parking: anywhere in the parking lot of the Civic Center on your right-side, nearest to Haven St.

  walk across the street & along the chain-link fence, & stop at the Black awning on the right-hand side.

  This is the front of the Besler Building.

  Follow the instructions above on HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING

• DIRECTIONS from MARIN COUNTY or I-580 West/I-80 West – from Sacramento / El Cerrito / Richmond San Rafael Bridge

  Take the Powel St Exit, drive East, towards the Oakland Hills.
  Same directions coming from 80 West.

  Pass three stop lights, one is under the overpass.
  Take a RIGHT on HOLLIS St, go 5 blocks and take a LEFT on PARK ST.

  You’ll see the Emeryville Town Hall, with high palm trees, and PIXAR Animation campus is on the other side.

  Take a RIGHT, 1st right on HAVEN ST.
  (Haven St is closer to the entrance door & lot.)

  Parking: anywhere in the parking lot of the Civic Center on your right-side, nearest to Haven St.

  walk across the street & along the chain-link fence, & stop at the Black awning on the right-hand side. This is the front of the Besler Building.

  Follow the directions above on HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING
  

   

• DIRECTIONS From the I-580 East going West

  Take the San Pablo St. exit under the overpass, just before the San Francisco exit

  Drive for 3 blocks take a RIGHT on San Pablo Ave – You see the sign: Welcome to Emeryville

  Take a LEFT on 40th st. Drive down 3 short blocks, the 3rd block is HARLAN St. Turn Right

  Don’t park on Harlan St – go through the building Parking where the cars are parked in parallel, cross the street

  and park on the Parking Lot of the Emeryville TownHall and Besler Building (which is actually on Haven St (parallel and West of Harlan St )

  YOU ARE HERE > If you park in this Parking Lot -cross Haven St and you’ll find the main door with the BLACK AWNING that reads: BESLER BUILDING
  
  Follow instructions above on: HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING:

• DIRECTIONS from BERKELEY

  Go South on SAN PABLO AVE.

  Pass the 45th Street light.

  Turn RIGHT onto PARK St.

  Turn LEFT onto HARLAN St. It is the 3rd. street on your left. There are mailboxes on the corner.

  Don’t park on Harlan St – go through the building Parking where the cars park parallel, cross the street and park

  on the Parking Lot of the Emeryville TownHall and Besler Building (which is actually on Haven St (parallel and West of Harlan St )

  YOU ARE HERE > If you park in this Parking Lot -cross Haven St and you’ll find the main door with the BLACK AWNING that reads: BESLER BUILDING

  Follow the directions above on HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING

• DIRECTIONS from I-880 North – from San Jose / Oakland / Fremont / Alameda

  Take I-880 N.
  Take I-980 E towards Walnut Creek (CA-24).
  Take the 17TH ST exit towards SAN PABLO AVE.
  Merge onto CASTRO ST.
  Turn LEFT onto SAN PABLO AVE.
  Turn LEFT onto 40TH ST.
  Turn RIGHT onto HARLAN ST.

  Don’t park on Harlan St – go through the building Parking where the cars park parallel, cross the street and park

  on the Parking Lot of the Emeryville TownHall and Besler Building (which is actually on Haven St (parallel and West of Harlan St )

  YOU ARE HERE > If you park in this Parking Lot -cross Haven St and you’ll find the main door with the BLACK AWNING that reads: BESLER BUILDING

  Follow the directions above on HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING

• DIRECTIONS Going CA-24 West – from Walnut Creek / Lafayette / Concord

  from Walnut Creek/Lafayette/Concord

  Take the CA-24 WEST ramp towards OAKLAND
  Take I-580 RAMP towards SAN FRANCISCO/HAYWARD.
  Merge onto I-580 WEST RAMP.
  Take the MARKET ST exit.
  Stay straight to go onto 36TH ST.
  Turn RIGHT onto SAN PABLO AVE.
  Turn LEFT onto 40TH ST.
  Turn RIGHT onto HARLAN ST.

  Don’t park on Harlan St – go through the building Parking where the cars park parallel, cross the street and park

  on the Parking Lot of the Emeryville TownHall and Besler Building (which is actually on Haven St (parallel and West of Harlan St )

  YOU ARE HERE > If you park in this Parking Lot -cross Haven St and you’ll find the main door with the BLACK AWNING that reads: BESLER BUILDING
  Follow the directions above on HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING

• DIRECTIONS Going I-580 West – from Castro Valley / Pleasanton

  Take I-580 W
  Take the exit towards WEST STREET/SAN PABLO AVE.
  Merge onto 36TH ST
  Turn RIGHT onto SAN PABLO AVE.
  Turn LEFT onto 40TH ST.
  Turn RIGHT onto HARLAN ST.

  Don’t park on Harlan St – go through the building Parking where the cars park parallel, cross the street and park

  on the Parking Lot of the Emeryville TownHall and Besler Building (which is actually on Haven St (parallel and West of Harlan St )

  YOU ARE HERE > If you park in this Parking Lot -cross Haven St and you’ll find the main door with the BLACK AWNING that reads: BESLER BUILDING

  Follow the directions above on HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING

• HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING

  HOW to ENTER in the BUILDING:

  Use the electronic directory and dial #2020
  *if there is no response, and you have a cell phone call 510-595 0819 to be let in.

  The door will unlock, proceed across the lobby to a door to the left of the elevator.

  Proceed up the stairs to the 2nd floor.

  Take a left out of the stairway, and go all the way down the hall to #202 – last door on the right

  Welcome! You made it!