top of page

song  leader training

12 - 15 june 2025, Seia, portugal

A 3 night residential training for aspiring and practicing song leaders and vocal facilitators.

​

Sophia is well known for her deeply soulful yet light hearted and inclusive teaching style. Over the last 17 years she has founded 4 community choirs, facilitated workshops at festivals, weddings, funerals and corporate events across the UK, Europe and the US, led singing holidays in Turkey and Italy, and created 'Embodied Song Retreats'.

 

At this training weekend she will be sharing her wealth of experience, inspiring others to develop their ability to hold space for harmony singing. ​

A rich, deepening experience with a toolkit of vocal techniques to take away!" - Seren

Quinta Darnella is a stunning mountain side retreat centre in the Serra Da Estrella in central Portugal. Katy and Steve - the guardians of the land - have created a stunning retreat venue, with respect and honour of the native trees and plants, with beautiful yurts and bell tents, an outdoor yoga deck, a gorgeous outdoor kitchen and an ancient roman built swimming pool all nestled in a beautiful green valley with epic views and bubbling crystal springs and rivers close by (and outdoor flushing toilets!) It has this unique quality of feeling totally held and nestled, but expansive and free at the same time. 

This training is for you if:

​

  • You love community singing and want to begin your journey of learning how to teach songs to groups

  • You already lead singing groups and would like some some tips, inspiration and a confidence boost

  • You would like to incorporate singing into spaces you already hold

What’s included:

​

  • An overview of community singing and why it is so important for our collective healing

  • The essential aspects of facilitation - how to create a safe and relaxed space

  • Anatomy and physiology of the vocal mechanism and how to support the safe use of the voice

  • Exploring effective vocal warm ups and identifying their purpose physically, emotionally and collectively

  • How to select songs for specific groups/situations

  • How to teach songs effectively - i.e. 'chunking', layering parts, adapting structure

  • How to embody the music so that you can transmit the essence of the song

  • Exploring conducting techniques

  • Developing an embodied understanding of pulse and rhythm

  • How to use simple audio software to learn harmonies and teach them effectively

  • How to run online singing sessions using a loop pedal (if requested)

  • An introduction to group improvisation and singing games

  • Opportunities to lead a song and receive constructive feedback

  • Plenty of time for Q&A’s

  • Lots of singing!

  • A PDF of what's covered on the training

  • An online peer support facebook community for all those who have completed the training 

  • An opportunity to book 1-1 zoom sessions with Sophia after the weekend (for an additional fee)

  • Private or shared accommodation in a beautiful venue

  • Delicious, nourishing, food

​

"Sophia generously shared her experience and practical skills in a supportive and encouraging way" - Laura

​

"It exceeded my expectations, it challenged me, and it created a most wonderful space" - Anna,

​​

"Embodied learning, heart learning, technical learning!"  - Jake

​

Booking and accommodation: 

 

The prices for the different accommodation options are below (please note that these prices are inclusive of all meals and group sessions):​

​

Price per person:

 

  • Private  £695 (EarlyBird £595)

  • Shared £595 (EarlyBird £495)

  • Camping in own tent £495 (EarlyBird £395)

​​​

*Please note, Quinta Darnella is on a mountain side, on several levels and terraces. Participants will need a fair level of physical fitness to be able to navigate around the site*.

​

*Please wait until the trip is confirmed before booking your travel*

​

I look forward to sharing the journey with you :)​​

bottom of page