VOICE LIBERATION combined with DRAWING MOVEMENT, never done before!
A unique collaboration between Kaj Glasbergen (visual artist and therapist) and Vera de Bree (singer-songwriter and vocal coach).
The drawing movements are based on the book “In Tekenbeweging zijn” (Being in Drawing Movement) by Lida Floor & Didi Overman, which Kaj also contributed to.
Vera on the beginning of and vision behind the workshop:
“Kaj takes singing lessons with me. I had been looking for the right collaboration for my “Free as a Bird” workshop for a while. When I met Kaj, we immediately clicked and recognized a lot of common ground in our professional field, in how we work. This resonated so well that we sat down together to explore how we could combine our strengths. I immediately thought: Kaj is the person I’m looking for, to complement my voice liberation workshop!” The unique combination of learning to create sound and engaging the body through drawing movement proved incredibly powerful when we tried it out ourselves in a work session. It took place in Kaj’s lovely and beautiful studio on the IJ River in Amsterdam, overlooking the rippling water. A safe place to experiment. Learning to find safety within yourself. The peace to feel more deeply. The space to let go and allow new energy to flow. That’s how it felt when I started working myself. All under the calm and professional guidance of Kaj. I arrived tired and went home feeling renewed! So, I had plenty of inspiration to further develop this workshop. I wrote a singing exercise for each drawing movement. From breathing techniques to short melodies tailored to the movement. I wrote Dutch translations of jazz standards and (Scottish) hymns, so my Dutch students can sing in their native language. And I wrote a song especially for this workshop, this time in English, which can also be sung in harmonies. All generated from the question: how can I help my students to free their voices? To gently break through blockages. So the sound can resonate optimally. From their heads to a connection with their body, the instrument.”
Kaj Glasbergen
Coming from the arts (printmaking and mixed media) and from teaching various courses at different art centers, I gradually retrained to become an art therapist. I have worked with great pleasure with different target groups at various institutions, and I have written about these experiences.
During Vera’s singing lessons, I noticed how difficult it was for me to truly ground myself instead of letting my head take charge with all its judgments and expectations. How to break through this? Vera and I recognized a connection between singing and the mindfulness exercises from the Drawing Movement Method, which I often use in my coaching. With great enthusiasm, we began exploring—each from our own field—whether this could lead to singing as freely as a bird.
Learning to sing through discomfort. Towards a relaxation in the moment, so energy can renew itself. Learning to own up your own space, learning to free a sound. In the here and now. Without it having to be ‘anything’ right away.
Surrendering to thoughts that arise, like:
Isn’t this crazy what I’m doing?
Is this even possible?
Creating a safe environment. Without judgement.
Reasons people don’t dare to take the step to sing:
• they’re afraid of not being good enough
• they don’t know how to do it
• they’re afraid of doing something wrong
What if we transform all those perceptions from fear into:
What do you need?
What do you feel like doing?
To rediscover the joy of singing.
So take that step! And become as free as a bird! When we sing, we express our whole being, our creativity.
Duration: 2.5 hours
Cost: € 78,- per person (excluding 21% VAT)
Participants: max. 5 people
Location negotiable: Veemkade (Oostelijk Havengebied, Amsterdam)
Level: all levels
A few fun facts about singing! Did you know that research has shown that:
• Singing releases endorphins. The feel-good chemical in the brain that makes you feel happy. So singing works as a natural antidepressant.
• Singing reduces stress levels and improves mental state. Improved blood circulation and oxygen-rich blood flow ensure that more oxygen reaches the brain.
• Singing strengthens your immune system
• Singing helps you connect with other singers
• It also helps you improve your sleep quality. Singing can help strengthen the throat and palate muscles, which helps stop snoring and sleep apnea.
• Singing helps you develop your communication skills.
• Singing is a great workout! Your lungs get a workout when you apply the right singing techniques and vocal projections. It also helps you train a stronger diaphragm and stimulate overall circulation.
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