Vocal Wilds: The Art of Embodied Improvisation

Sat, 04 Oct, 2025 at 09:00 am UTC-04:00

Michigan Friends Center, 7748 Clarks Lake Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118-9420, United States | Chelsea

Vocal Wilds: The Art of Embodied Improvisation
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You are invited to join us for a day long retreat!
WHAT: Vocal Wilds: The Art of Embodied Improvisation
WHO: Guided by facilitators Dory Mead, Tatianah Thunberg & Irene Soléa Antonellis
WHEN: Saturday, October 4, 2025 | 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
WHERE: Michigan Friends Center, 1125 Long Lake Road, Chelsea, MI 48118
REGISTER: Space is limited to 27 participants. Register to reserve your spot now! (link below)
ALL THE DETAILS HERE: https://www.spiritmoves.us/vocalwilds
YOU’RE INVITED!
​Belonging is one of our most essential human needs—when we feel welcomed our capacity to listen expands—listening to ourselves, each other, the land, our lineages, and the songs that carry and connect us.
Join us for a full-day immersive community retreat where deep listening and embodied presence form the foundation for a joyful, soulful exploration of vocal improvisation. In a welcoming circle of fellow explorers, we’ll cross the threshold into the Vocal Wilds—where voice, movement, and creative risk become powerful gateways to connection, freedom and joy.
​​​Come as you are. Bring your whole self — shy, bold, and everything in between. Let’s sing what has never been sung before.
WHAT TO EXPECT
This full day retreat is dedicated to the voice — your voice, and our collective voice. Set in the peaceful forest sanctuary of the Michigan Friends Center, we’ll move through guided practices that awaken the body, open the breath, and invite the voice to emerge in fresh, unexpected ways.
No prior singing experience is required—just curiosity, a willingness to listen deeply, and the courage to take creative risks within your limits.
Whether you’re an experienced vocalist or a curious beginner, you’ll leave feeling more connected to your voice—and to your innate capacity to create, express, and play.
​Together, We Will:
🎶Cultivate a space of deep listening, presence, and belonging
🎶Witness live demonstrations of vocal improvisation
🎶Build confidence in vocal play, melody, and harmony
🎶Explore interlocking rhythms and melodic patterns
🎶Sing from a grounded, embodied stance
🎶Collaborate in small groups and full-circle formats
🎶Choose breakout topics like: embodied expression, bold bass lines, and wild solos
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Saturday, October 4
9:00: Arrive & Settle In
9:30-1:00: Morning Session
1:00-2:30: Lunch & Open Time
2:30-5:30: Afternoon Session
5:30-7:00: Dinner & Open Time
7:00-8:30: Community Improv Jam
8:30-9:00: Closing Circle
9:00-9:30: Restore The Space
Our Day Includes:
🍂Morning: Foundational skill-building in solo, small group, and large group ensembles
🍂Afternoon: Choose-your-own-adventure breakout sessions
🍂Evening: A community jam and closing circle

YOUR FACILITATORS:
✨Dory Mead (she/they):
http://www.dorymead.com/
✨TatiAnah Thunberg, LMSW, (she/hers): www.spiritmoves.us/about-tatianah-artist
✨Irene Soléa Antonellis, MA, LPC (she/hers): www.irenesolea.com/music/

LOCATION:
🌲Michigan Friends Center: We’ll gather at a tranquil retreat space nestled within 80 acres of forest and lakefront in Chelsea, MI. With its treehouse-like atmosphere, abundant natural light, and expansive windows that peer out to the surrounding woods, it offers a restorative setting for deep listening, vocal exploration, and connection with the natural world. The building is accessible by walker or wheelchair.

AGREEMENTS:
💛Community Care & Self Care
💛 Self-care encouraged. There are ample breaks for meals, strolls, socializing with new/old friends, or just solo quiet time. Take breaks, walk in the woods, sit by the lake, or relax in our dedicated art and meditation space as needed.
💛All voices welcome. Adults of all ages, genders, ethnic, cultural, racial, faith & sexual identities are welcome. We do not have childcare available on site.
💛All levels welcome. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned vocalist, you belong here.
💛Full-day commitment. This retreat is a co-created experience that will deepen throughout the day. Please plan to attend the entire day -taking a sacred pause from our full lives- to support our shared container.
💛Health policy. This is an indoor event with optional outdoor spaces. Come healthy. Masks and distancing are welcome based on personal comfort level. If a COVID exposure is reported directly following the event, we will notify all participants by email.
​​MEALS:
🥙Lunch: BYO lunch, snacks, and drinks.
🥙Dinner: Catered by our talented Bhakti brother, Ekanti Govinda Dasa of Sage Roots LLC, and included in your registration. Dinner is gluten, dairy, soy, garlic, and onion free.
​​
LODGING:
🏕️Free camping available onsite. Nearby hotels, Airbnbs, and VRBOs are also options.
COST:
Green Bottle Sliding Scale: $179–$249 (Includes full-day retreat and catered dinner. Max capacity: 28 singers)
Scholarships: Two work exchange positions are available with a partial scholarship.
​​​
Cancellation Policy
Tickets are non-refundable, but transferable. If you cannot attend, you may gift or sell your ticket to someone else who would like to attend. We maintain a waitlist once the day is sold out, and will help match tickets when possible, though we cannot guarantee it.
​​
QUESTIONS?
Contact Dory Mead at: [email protected]
​​​​​​​
REGISTER HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1orxvRKZqRXuXIn9rS-RTi9Ioqg-loTihFh-EkmqE1cQ/edit
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Michigan Friends Center, 7748 Clarks Lake Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118-9420, United States

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