Vocal Journeys Presents... Monkey Season

All year in the studio we learn and practice how to be fully seen and heard. We experiment with new songs and genres, deepening in relationship with our voices, ourselves and each other. We play with the questions (and attempt to answer) How do I get my whole self into a song? How do I allow this whole song to sing through me? What is this song here to show me? Then comes the question of singing in the showcase and the monkeys come out. 

Monkey voices sound like this: Is my voice good enough? Who am I to get on a stage and sing? I'm not good enough. I'm not experienced enough. I don't want to. Do I have to? I am not good at memorizing. What if I forget when to come in? I don't know how to sing with a band. I'm afraid I will forget my words. What if I forget my words? I can't remember my words. And it doesn't stop there. 

This year, the monkeys were out in numbers, distracting, making mischief, wanting their say. Wrangling only made their voices louder and more insistent. It was only when we stopped and listened earnestly, when we turned toward those voices and not away from them, that things got easier. Isn't that how it always goes? In meeting the different parts of ourselves, the ones we often judge harshly, we find more understanding and grace, an overall lightening of spirit and mood? Isn't it true that when we listen with equanimity to all the parts of ourselves, we find every voice has a gift for us? 

Please join us on Thursday, June 4th for Monkey Season, as 16 solo singers take the stage… monkeys and all. As always, come for the music and stay for the inspiration. 

------------

Marlene Carvalho is Founder and Master Teacher of Vocal Journeys, a presence-based approach to making relationship with the voice.

Vocal Journeys offers a beautifully held space for voices to come out of hiding. Founded in 1995 by certified vocal coach and master facilitator Marlene Carvalho, Vocal Journeys offers small group classes at the crossroads of vulnerability and risk, helping singers to foster a relationship with their voice that is anchored in self-discovery and presence. Marlene has been offering groups and intimate singing performances for adults and teens who want to discover, recover or establish a new relationship with their voice. Groups are facilitated with warmth and humor, love and acceptance, allowing voices to come out of hiding into their full, inspired expression.