2026: Saturday May 23 to Saturday May 30

Italy

We are excited to announce that Dr. Phillip Woods is joining us again this year for another

Tuscany Project Gospel Workshop!

The Tuscany Project: ITALY (named for the area where the project began) will take place in the green hills of Umbria.  We are thrilled to be returning 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, homemade 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. 

Singing is the birthright of each human being. Whether we sing in the shower, in a choir or with a band: Singing is a joyful way to connect with our creativity and our power. And when shared with others, it creates moments of resonance and community that can touch the soul. 

At the Tuscany Project we bring together people from all walks of life and ranging experiences with singing. We engage them in an artistic process that is guided by the belief that everybody has a unique voice and a story to tell. 

Through work on voice, physical expression, improvisation, song interpretation and harmony singing, we develop and deepen the connection of each participant to their inner resources. In a highly supportive and non-judgmental environment, performance skills are playfully strengthened, creativity is unleashed and singing becomes an expression of self.

This year we are excited to bring back DR. PHILLIP WOODS for a Gospel Choir Workshop. Born into a family of North Carolina preachers and singers, Phillip credits his early exposure to Gospel for his passion for music and its ability to transform lives. An acclaimed pianist, arranger, and choir director for church, community and theater groups for 30 years, Phillip’s extraordinary talent is known throughout the U.S.A. and abroad.

People walk away from this experience with more confidence and an awareness of their own artistry. They experience their potential to show up in the world with an authentic voice and express themselves with more joy and courage and less critical judgment. Singing becomes a metaphor for being more present in the world and for daring to live life fully and in communion with others. 

By joining our workshop, you will: 

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

• Experience singing in a Gospel Choir that while spiritual, is done in a non-denominational way. We believe in the power of music of all styles and are thrilled to be able to offer a workshop where people of all backgrounds can come together to experience this powerful music.

• Discover your physical self as a rich source for vocal power, imagination and expression.

• Sing and play with others in a safe environment where everybody can take risks.

• Combine intense work and the experience of the Italian La Dolce Vita

   We invite you to join us!

Classes

Our Teachers for 2026:

Ron Roy, Belle Linda Halpern, BZ Goldberg, Anja Struchholz & Phillip Woods.

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

Gospel Choir

Join DR. Phillip Woods and experience the joy and community that comes from singing in a group under his direction. Born into a family of North Carolina preachers and singers, Phillip credits his early exposure to Gospel for his passion for music and its ability to transform lives. An acclaimed pianist, arranger, and choir director for church, community and theater groups for 30 years, Phillip’s extraordinary talent is known throughout the U.S.A. and abroad.

Master Classes

Some afternoons we will be offering optional Masterclass work on individual songs. The schedule to be determined. Topics may cover exploring 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.

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

DR. PHILLIP WOODS (Group singing and other delights) Born into a family of North Carolina preachers and singers, Phillip credits his early exposure to Gospel for his passion for music and its ability to transform lives. An acclaimed pianist, arranger, and choir director for church, community and theater groups for 30 years, Phillip’s extraordinary talent is known throughout the U.S.A. and abroad. He has recorded several CDs, and his vocals have been heard on national TV. His original music was featured as part of the Alvin Ailey Dance Company’s suite Frames, and he has starred in numerous theatrical productions, including A New Brain, Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Songs For a New World. Singers are consistently moved by his spirited teaching, by his depth of passion and commitment to music, and by his lively sense of humor! 
Find out more about Phillip at phillip-woods.com. 

BENTZION (B.Z.) GOLDBERG (Vocal Exploration & Song Interpretation) B.Z. has worked with the human voice for the past twenty five years, exploring a range of approaches from experimental work to opera. His influences and teachers include Penelope Kreitzer, Mark Rittenberg, James Toland, Seth Riggs, Kaya Anderson, and a number of members of the Roy Hart Theatre. B.Z. has worked in a variety of styles from highly experimental music to opera to a three-year stint singing gospel music with the Glide Ensemble in San Francisco. He has taught in the USA, Europe, the Middle East, and Japan. B.Z.’s teaching often includes vocal exploration and the deep connections between the voice and the body while exploring a wide range of techniques of approaching individual songs. B.Z. is also a filmmaker and director of the Academy Award nominated film Promises, as well as the climate change film project 8 degrees and 34 minutes East. 

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.

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

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, & INCLUDES ALL CLASSES, ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS:*

Fees:

PRICING INCLUDES ALL CLASSES, ACCOMMODATIONS AND MEALS:

2026 Fees:

Shared Suite Locanda (4 people) € 1,995

The Family suite has two bedrooms and a shared bath. There will be two people in each room, and a shared bathroom. Beds can be a double or two twins.

Double Standard Locanda (2 people) € 2400

2 people in one room with an ensuite bathroom. Beds can be a double or two twins.

Shared Family Suite Locanda (2 people) € 2650

The Family suite has two bedrooms and a shared bath. Each person will have their own room and share the bathroom. 

Private Accommodation Locanda € 3280

Single Room with ensuite bathroom (Space is limited)

Off site Accomodation Options:

The Appartments at Nella's: 

This property is a short walk uphill from the Locanda. Pricing as above based on occupancy. i.e. apartment #1 can be 2 singles (each person has own bedroom and bathroom) or standard double (2 people in each room, sharing a bathroom) etc. 

1. Apartamento Bracteata: 2 Bedroom/2 Bathroom with kitchen and living room.

2. Apartamento Peonie: has an entrance with a big table, one double

bedroom, a small living room with a kitchen.

3. La Dependence Banksiae: Stand alone 'casita' with Double Room with a bathroom

Casa la Valle B&B: 

This is a property further up the road from the Locanda and Nella's. Because of this, this locaion is recommended for those comfortable walking on a a dirt road up and down hill, or those who have a car.

Pricing is based on shared occupancy up to 2 or 3 pepole in a room: € 1600.

Main House: There are three rooms, 2 have 3 beds, 1 has 2. There is a large bedroom upstairs with an ensuite bathroom and two rooms downstairs that share a bathroom. All rooms share a small kitchen area and patio. 

Downstairs Room:  This is just below the main house and is a double room with a patio with private bathroom, with the option of adding a single bed. *Note: this can be booked as a single also, please inquire about pricing.

A non-refundable deposit of € 400 will secure your space. 

*Travel costs are not included. 

Travel Insurance that covers the FULL cost of your trip, including the cost of the workshop, is STRONGLY ADVISED. We cannot provide refunds for circumstances out of our control.

Travel costs are not included. 

Payment is in Euros using Bank transfer or credit card. 

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.

TESTIMONIALS