Join musician and educator Sean Frenette every Monday in NE Portland for a community vocal workshop! While cumulative study is offered (via access to online materials and/or private lessons,) each class is taught similar to an "all-levels yoga asana class" and is always open to drop-ins and newcomers!

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WHAT:

Nāda Yoga — Nāda Yoga is a rich, medicinal mindfulness practice of embodied vocalization, a sumptuous vessel for the exploration of sound's subtleties and nuances. Nāda Yoga is also a philosophical system which posits the nature of cosmic reality can be uniquely experienced by human beings through the study of sound.

This particular form of Nāda Yoga is designed for a meditative, healing experience of effortless singing and a vibratory exploration of the prismatic nature of our voices. Some aspects of these practices are ancient, and others are a contemporary synthesis.

This form is also similar to and complementary with a yoga asana practice; that is, we utilize poses with the body (and, more specifically, the breath, larynx, throat, jaw, tongue, and lips) for our journeys. Increased mind-body-heart connection and a warmed up voice are just a few of the myriad benefits of this deep well of study.

Rāga Singing — Rāga singing is a foundational practice for Indian classical musicians. Rāgas are exquisite musical forms passed down through the ages from teacher to student, reaching back hundreds and sometimes thousands of years and informed by the cycles and sounds of nature.

Whatever kind of music interests you (or whatever instrument or singing styles are your focus), being introduced to these foundations of Indian Classical Music with your voice will enrich your understanding and experience of intonation, melody, rhythm and musical form.

WHEN:

*Mondays in December *

Monday, Dec. 3rd, 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Monday, Dec. 10th, 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Monday, Dec. 17th, 7:30pm - 9:00pm

Class is approximately 90 minutes. Come at 7pm for tea.

Flow of the evening:

- 7:00pm Tea and community hang starts

- 7:30pm singing begins with Nada yoga "warm-ups"

- about 8:15ppm raga singing begins after a brief break

- about 9pm raga singing ends (we often go until about 9:15pm)

(Late comers welcome, just be mindful during the approximate 8:15pm savasana, when lights will be off and we are all lying down for about 3 minutes.)

SUGGESTED DONATION:

$10 - $25 sliding scale donation

WHERE:

Weekly classes are held at the Love House (aka Jennifer Love Studio) 4335 NE Sumner St., Portland, OR.

We will be in the main house, meeting in the kitchen and large front room for tea. Class is in the front room.

PARKING INFORMATION:

Counting the utility poles to the right, our house is about 4 poles after turning east on the street. Love House is on the left. There's an open gate and a sizable driveway to walk down.

1) PLEASE DO NOT PARK WEST OF THE DRIVEWAY! Thank you!! This keeps our neighbors happy, which keeps the class going! Check out the map at this link for some parking ideas: http://i66.tinypic.com/ienyog.jpg

2) SPECIAL NEEDS PARKING: Please do not park in the driveway. We would like to keep the driveway open for those with special needs and as a "fire lane."

Special needs students, please feel free to come up the driveway and pull up as close as you can to the house for a temporary drop off. Please call o text me directly at (857) 544-6364 if you require help getting into the house and/or help getting your car re-parked.

3) PLEASE CARPOOL or take public transportation, if possible! Thank you! Here's a Rideshare link

WHO:

Sean Frenette — Sean has been teaching music for two decades to many hundreds of students of all ages, in numerous musical genres, and on numerous musical instruments. His own studies of Indian Classical vocal music and Nāda Yoga began in 2003 when he began weekly lessons with master educator and performer Warren Senders at New England Conservatory, and has continued studying with Warren and also with Portland's own Kirana treasure Michael Stirling. Sean has performed Indian classical music at Carnegie Hall, toured full time for seven years with the kirtan ensemble Shantala, and has taught numerous vocal workshops in the Pacific Northwest.

Sean is excited to return to Portland and once again offer weekly classes and/or private lessons to those interested in deepening their relationship to their voices and to those interested in creating a new foundational support for any of their own musical experiences via Nāda Yoga practices and/or the pedagogy of North Indian classical music.

FEEDBACK:

"Wow! I feel amazing and my voice feels so full. I went home and had so much clarity and got so much done. This was about way more than just voice."

"This practice helps everything I do from my Singing to my work and how I express myself with my family and others."

"I didn't know my voice could do that!"

"What just happened? All I know is that it was good. I feel great!"

"Never felt so inspired to sing after a voice lesson before!"

"I have never been exposed to Indian classical music and there were times when I was struggling with my own stuff and feeling uncomfortable but it was totally worth it to work through it and feel my voice open into a whole other space. I'm coming back."

"This man is an accessible creative genius. Get in on his transmissions while you can!"

"An incredible, impactful teacher..."