Breath Voice Spirit Workshop led by Michael Harper for 11 participants (aged 16+) ran from 10.45 to 5.00pm on Sunday 22nd July in my home in Cambridge. Its aim was to explore ways to free your breath and voice for better communication in singing and speaking through breathing exercises and gentle relaxation techniques. Then Michael enabled us to use these techniques to express ourselves (our spirit) more confidently.  It is open to everyone who wishes to explore their speaking or singing voices whatever their perceived abilities are.

So, what was it like? We began by moving to music from very different CDs e.g. Elvis, Leontyne Price, John Lennon, Dolly Parton and Roberta Flack. We then introduced ourselves and said why we had come to the workshop and what we wanted help with.

Various breathing and stretching exercises were interspersed with explanations about how the vocal chords worked or about different kinds of breathing and how our diaphragms worked. What I mainly remember is the frequent gales of laughter.  Some exercises were to make us more aware of our hips or how we were connected to the ground. Another called Authentic Movement allowed us to do what we wanted for about 12 minutes and make any noises, but without talking to another person. (You can all try this at home; it`s really interesting!) We spent some time on rhythm games involving voice and clapping. (More gales of laughter.) We also all walked round the room together singing our favourite songs for a few minutes.

Somewhere in all that we had lunch; we had all brought food to share.

Finally each person had a 10 to 12 minute lesson with Michael in front of the rest of the group. Songs from many traditions were sung (including a Hungarian folk song). The only instruction was that the person receiving the lesson had our undivided attention and all was done in the understanding that nothing would leave that room. We sing from where we laugh and cry and people have to feel safe here. However, I have been given permission by the participants to quote some responses to this and to the whole workshop.
‘I am a complete stranger to you and have felt very welcome in your home.’
‘You push people and are persistent when you see what you want them to understand and are very supportive to them.’
‘I was going to recite a poem but you encouraged me to sing.  Thank you; I`m so glad you did.’
‘You have a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience, lightly borne and generously shared.’
‘I want a bigger voice; you have helped me to find mine.’
‘We learn things from watching other people being taught as well as in our own lesson.’
‘This is the third workshop I`ve been to and each time they`ve been different as you`ve geared them round a different group of people.’
‘Will you come back and teach us again?’

Michael said he would. He then sang to us.

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Writer: Pat Motherwell

If you are interested in going to one of these workshops, please contact Pat Motherwell now on 01223 565889 and she will arrange to inform you when she knows the date of the next one.  Michael (and Pat) usually want them to be fully booked 3-4 weeks in advance, otherwise there is a risk of cancellation of the workshop. Michael charges £450 to lead the workshop to be equally shared between a maximum of 10 people.

About Michael Harper:
Michael Harper, countertenor, received a Bachelor of Music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Master of Music degree at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music where he also did further doctoral studies. In Britain he studied at the Mayer-Lismann Opera Centre and the Britten Pears School.  He has sung in opera and recitals throughout Europe, USA and China.  He also teaches throughout the UK and Europe and works regularly with the National Foundation of Youth Music.  He is now chorus master for Pegasus Opera. Recent engagements include Devi: The Female Principle with Mavin Khoo Dance Company at the Royal Opera House Covent Garden and the Venice Dance Bienniale; recital and master class at the Asolo Song Festival (Italy); Soul Journey by the jazz trombonist Dennis Rollins at the Norfolk and  Norwich Festival .  Future engagements include: Sing for Water London (Water-Aid) in September; a repeat of Soul Journey at  Royal Festival Hall in November and "No Place Like Home", a new work for the Geneva Ballet by dancer/choreographer Isira Makuloluwe and composer, Jennifer MacConachie in April 2008.

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