Saturday June 29 - Saturday July 6, 2024

Italy

The Tuscany Project: ITALY (named for the area where the project began) will take place in the green hills of Umbria this year! We are thrilled to be retuning to The villa where we’ve spent much of our 30 years. We will be living and working at the Locanda del Gallo, a restored 12th century villa located on a secluded hillside near the towns of Perugia and Gubbio, not far from Assisi, and about halfway between Rome and Florence. 

The property includes an amazing swimming pool with a panoramic vista of the entire valley. Meals emphasizing local culinary traditions are eaten on a terrace and usually savored alfresco at the leisurely Italian pace. Organic vegetables and aromatic herbs from the kitchen garden, olive oil from the on site olive grove, home made yogurt, cakes and breads - the food is local, fresh and In the finest traditions of Mediterranean cuisine. And never fear, dietary restrictions are accommodated happily without any sacrifice of taste or quality. 

The rooms at the Locanda sleep 2 to 3 people with family suites that can sleep 4 (2 to a room) or 2 (one in each room). Single rooms are limited.

Locanda del Gallo can be easily reached by car or train from the international airports in Rome or Florence. 

Classes

MOVEMENT WORK 

Daily gentle and vigorous movement prepares us for the physical aspects of vocal and performance work and develops fuller freedom of expression in our bodies, connection between breath, body and voice. Anja’s morning sessions encourage the joy of waking up, being present and moving our bodies.

• Explore your voice and its connection to breath, body and imagination

• Expand your repertoire of personal and artistic expression

SONG INTERPRETATION: Solo Singing

We explore pathways to powerful performance of songs: vocal and acting technique, personal and emotional connection to material, and methods to bring forth the “story” in a song. Songs will be shared in an informal presentation to other workshop participants at the end of the workshop.

• Find your own meaning and interpretation of a song and sing it with your unique voice

• Develop confidence and skill to sing a solo song, no matter how much experience you have

GROUP SINGING:

Experience the joy and community that comes from singing in a group. Our teachers bring an eclectic mix of music from around the world to our group sessions.

Schedule

The Tuscany Project 2024 will offer group and individual work focusing on each person’s growing edge.

A typical day looks like this:

• 8:45-9:45: Movement

• 9:45-10:00: Vocal Warm up

• 10:15-1:15: Classes

• 1:30: Lunch/Free Time

• Afternoon: Free or Optional Classes

• 6:45-7:15 Group Singing

Every day there are three delicious meals offered. Ingredients are locally sourced (some grown on the property) and all made on site by our hosts. Accommodations can be made for dietary restrictions.

The Teachers

In 1993, we combined our skills as musicians, actors, singers and teachers to create an annual artistic singing retreat. Inspired by sources such as the Roy Hart Theater, the Cabaret work of Martha Schlamme, the Acting and Voice work of Mark Rittenberg and Penny Kreitzer, we designed a summer program where individuals could experience the power of voice and body as a celebration of the human spirit. We shared the belief that music and especially singing can inspire transformations in people’s lives, and that artistic work enhances the ability to be fully present in the world.

Please Note: Not all teachers teach at every workshop

BELLE LINDA HALPERN (Vocal Technique & Songs) a cabaret singer and actress, has taught singing since 1986 in Boston, San Francisco, Italy and France. Belle has performed at clubs and theaters in New York, San Francisco, Paris, Munich, Jerusalem, and Bombay. She has taught at Harvard University and the Longy School of Music in Cambridge, MA. Her influences include cabaret singer Martha Schlamme (cabaret), Penelope Kreitzer (acting), Edwin Gray (musical theatre), and Christa Ludwig (opera). Belle is co-founder of the Ariel Group (www.arielgroup.com) and co-author of the best-selling Leadership Presence, a book about leadership and dramatic performance. She is also the founder of the non-profit Inspiring Educators, helping schools inspire, so students succeed.  Most recently she created the critically acclaimed show: CRAVINGS — Songs of Hunger & Satisfaction a funny and thought-provoking look at our search for what feeds us. The Boston Globe and Jewish Advocate named it their Best Theater of the year and it was nominated for an IRNE Award. Belle and music Director/accompanist, Tuscany Projects own Ron Roy are excited to announce their recording Cravings is available on Spotify. Click here to see video of Belle in the Studio. 

During the workshop, Belle will focus on the art of cabaret: connecting performers to their song and to their audience through feelings and life experiences.

Here is a link of Belle performing in Moon Over Dark Street, a show with the jazz-hot tunes of Kurt Weill that tracks the devastation of the Second World War and the McCarthy Era. 

ANJA STRUCHHOLZ (Movement & Performance Presence) has studied and taught theater, movement and voice for the past 35 years throughout Europe and the US. Her work is informed by approaches ranging from the voicework of the Roy Hart Theatre, Kristin Linklater and Romeo Alavi Kia, from Classical Ballet and New Dance to various acting approaches, improv theater and Ruth Zaporah's Action Theater. Anja has sung in choirs and a cappella quartets, has performed her One-Woman-Show "Wanted" and sung in clubs with a guitarist. Anja's interest as an artist and teacher is in discovering the deeper potential of each individual by changing old habits and exploring new ways of expression and making them “safe”. Through the curious dance of our body, voice, imagination and emotion we deepen our authenticity as a singer and find more ease in working moment to moment. Anja's classes focus on connecting body, breath, voice, text and imagination, and the ability to be present on stage with awareness, aliveness and confidence. Anja is also a coach and facilitator for Leadership Presence and Communication (http://www.anja-struchholz.de), and a certified Somatic Experience Practitioner (www.somaticexperiencing.com).

RON ROY (Songs, Musical Style) has been working with singers for most of his life. Trained as a classical pianist, with a degree in piano performance, Ron naturally defaulted to the singing voice and has kept that romance alive to the present day.  He is an arranger, musical director, vocal coach, and performer. Ron, recently retired, was an Assistant Professor of Theater at The Boston Conservatory at Berklee in Boston, Massachusetts.  There he helped to prepare young singers for a career in musical theater. In addition, he co-directed students in the Graduate program, coaching them in the development and performance of their final musical cabaret thesis. Ron takes great delight in supporting the singer, always encouraging a path towards unearthing one’s own musical voice, rhythm, and style.

He has traveled internationally as accompanist and musical director for a wide variety of shows and artists. Ron brings his ’joie de vivre’, his exceptional talent and passion for music in working on a broad range of styles, from classical and opera, to pop and jazz.  Ron will be co-teaching with Belle, working on a song, exploring, and creating an arrangement that works uniquely for you and encouraging you to sing from a place of joy. He will also offer individual coaching sessions allowing you time to work one on one on shaping your song and gaining confidence as a performer, be it amateur or professional.

Ron can be heard on the following links;

With Belle Linda Halpern 'Cravings"

With Shepley Metcalf, a Tuscany Project 2005 alumni.:

"I'm Not Taking Any Chances"

"Don't Bother to Knock"

SHAYNEE RAINBOLT (Administrator/Sometimes Vocal Technique & Coach) is an award-winning jazz vocalist/recording artist with a B.A. in Music Theater (S.F. State University), an M.A. in Arts Administration (Golden Gate University), and extensive training in vocal technique & performance from a diverse array of instructors. A three-time Tuscany Project Alumni, Shaynee credits the Project with giving her the tools and encouragement to follow her dream and return to the stage after a long absence. Since her first project in 2000, she has recorded four CD’s & performed extensively in the US & abroad at performing arts centers, festivals and clubs. Shaynee is also a freelance arts manager and consultant. Please visit www.shaynee.com for complete details.

Additional Founders and Guest Teachers

Previous GUEST TEACHERS

Arina Isaacson
Dorte Koch
Hobart Yates
Ingvar Bengtsson
Johannes Theron
Marie-Paule Marthe
Paul Crabtree
Penelope Kreitzer
Steve Sweeting
Susan Robbins
Terese Genecco

TESTIMONIALS

Registration

Adult singers of all levels are welcome, from beginners to professionals. Past students have included singers, musicians, actors, teachers, bankers, bakers, insurance brokers, artists, doctors, massage therapists…and we hope...you! There are almost always students who have never sung in public before: the only prerequisites are a passion for singing, a sense of discovery, and the courage to take risks.

PRICING IS PER PERSON, AND INCLUDES ALL CLASSES, ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS:

Fees:

Shared Family Suite (4 people) € 1,950

Family suite with two bedrooms and a shared bath. There will be two people in each room, and one shared ensuite bathroom

Standard Shared Accommodation (2 people) € 2,050

2 people in one room with a shared ensuite bathroom

Shared Family Suite (2 people) € 2,250

The Family suite has two bedrooms and a shared bath. There will be one person in each bedroom.

Private Accommodation € 2,550

Single Room with ensuite bathroom (Space is extremely limited)

A non-refundable deposit of € 350 will secure your space.

Travel Insurance that covers the cost of your stay with us is STRONGLY recommended.

Travel costs are not included. 

Payment is in Euros using Visa, Mastercard and American Express or bank transfer. 

Space is limited, therefore early enrollment is recommended.

Additional information regarding local festivals, travel, and practical arrangements will be sent upon registration.

Questions? Contact our administrator:

Shaynee Rainbolt: +1 917 547 8796

USA/Eastern Standard Time Mobile for phone, Text or Whatsapp.