Watch this space for details of our 2026 gatherings.
What happens when rhythm and voice meet in the space of improvisation? When a circle of drummers and a circle of singers come together, listening deeply, creating spontaneously, and trusting the music to unfold?
In The Heart of Improvisation, master facilitators Paul John Dear and Jane Bentley join forces to create a unique weekend of rhythm, voice, and presence.
Paul and Jane offer a shared exploration—sometimes bringing singers and drummers together, sometimes opening parallel tracks so you can choose where to focus.
This means:
- For singers: More voices for circle singing, call-and-response play, and rhythmic support for emergent harmonies.
- For drummers: The joy of trance-like grooves and improvised structures that deepen presence. Rhythm and chant!
- For everyone: The chance to step into a world bigger than our own—where improvised singing and co-created rhythm intertwine.
You’ll have plenty of choice: immerse yourself in a vocal journey, dive into rhythm, or dip between both. Either way, you’ll experience the thrill of improvisation in its richest form—listening, responding, and discovering music that couldn’t have existed without you.
Expect a space of warmth, curiosity, and connection where you can:
- Explore the flow state of rhythm and voice.
- Experience the magic of group improvisation—music arising in real time.
- Deepen your confidence and creativity, whether singing, drumming, or both.
- Celebrate the power of community sound: intuitive, alive, and joyful.
All levels of experience are welcome—just bring your curiosity, your openness, and a willingness to play in the heart of improvisation.
Participants from our November 2025 gathering had this to say.
“It has been so liberating finding this freedom within a large and fantastic group of humans. It takes real skill curating an event like this and holding space for us all.”
“The extensive space for free improvisation was so wonderful.”
“Thank you so much for one of the best weekends I have ever experienced here….it was beyond my expectations. I cannot think of anything that would improve it.”
A World of Connection 