Vocal improvisation has played a very important role in Sofia’s life and in her work as a singer and composer. While teaching, performing and improvising, she explores the endless potentiality of improvisation as a way to transform yourself; a journey towards authenticity, vulnerability and deep connection to one another. She has collaborated with extraordinary artists such as Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon and Joey Blake, among many others. With an extensive experience working with improvisation in a wide spectrum of styles and musical contexts, Sofia is part of the current faculty of the annual vocal improvisation encounter Circlesongs led by the legendary Bobby McFerrin, and she has been conducting vocal improvisation workshops and Circle Singing sessions worldwide for almost two decades.
CIRCLE SINGING SESSIONS
Circle Singing is a form of facilitated vocal improvisation, a community singing tradition which could be described as “improvised choral music” or “a drum circle for singers”. It is a participatory musical ritual in which singers gather with a leader in the center who invites everyone in the circle to join improvised patterns. The music is entirely created in the moment, and the ever-changing chant continues for long stretches, which in turn supports individual solos.
It is accessible across borders and cultures, making it possible to create this musical magic anywhere on the globe, with amateurs and professionals, coming from all music backgrounds. It allows a sharing of culture through music; the voice in all its shapes and colors, embodying the spirit of Play through musical improvisation. Each circle song is a non-repeatable, unique creation, drawing on traditions of chant, rhythm, movement, melody, harmony, team conducting, beatboxing, and free styling in multiple languages (real and invented ones).
Circle Singing is an opportunity for singers and non-singers to gather as community and use their voice in an exploratory, fun, safe and liberating way. Both participating in and witnessing the creation of the music that emerges in the moment is often a rich, deep, joyful and exhilarating experience, which calls forth a wonderfully primal connectedness among all the ones in the circle.
Join the Circle Singing community in Barcelona here
Join the Circle Singing community in Bogotá here
VOCAL IMPROVISATION WORKSHOPS
On these workshops, Sofia explores the endless potential of vocal improvisation as a way to inner transformation. In addition to her incredible musical skill and talent, she knows how to create a relaxed atmosphere where everyone feels safe and confident, and that allow the participants to experience singing and improvising as a way to communicate and express themselves with authenticity. On these workshops shared leadership is the goal: how do you create spontaneous music without a leader, in a setting where each person has equal power and responsibility? Sofia has developed a teaching method of her own: she invites the participants to experience their voice, not only as a musical instrument, but also as a self-discovery tool, experiencing the infinite magic of creating music in the spot.