Therapeutic Environmental Songwriting

In this workshop we will learn how to engage in three common practices drawn from the field of music therapy: active listening, vocal improvisation and therapeutic songwriting, as we discover how to respond more authentically and more musically to the world around us. Gently vocalizing into a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces, participants will have the opportunity to discover a greater connection between their own creative voice and the acoustic environment surrounding them. With the guidance and support of a licensed music therapist, each participant will compose, sing and record an original song based on their workshop experiences.

Joshua Pearl, MT-BC (board certified music therapist), has been helping artists discover their innate musicality for over three decades. He founded The Whole Musician Workshop in Woodstock, NY, where he collaborated with such musical luminaries as Levon Helm (The Band), Kate Pierson (The B-52s) and Peter Schickele (PDQ Bach). He currently operates a private practice in Portland, OR.

• iPhone or other personal field recording device is suggested but not required

• Note: If necessary, special COVID-19 "singing masks" will be required (these are about $20 each)

• Acoustic guitars, light hand percussion, recording technologies.