Veronica Phillips
This year's Conference benefited from being held earlier than in 2005, the weather being more clement. Staying in the House at Bore Place we were warmer too, and as usual, the food was wonderful.
The beginning of the weekend, as well as the beginning and end of each day were couched in beautiful, uniting , harmonizing song. Louisa Harmer opened our activity with some gentle, inspiring movement and vocal improvisation, especially with trans-Atlantic travellers in mind.
Friday evening was filled with an impressive introduction to Jenni Roditi and Lyn Gambles' opera, "The Descent Of Inanna'", an intense story of suffering , growth and transformation. The talk, with video, was entitled "Shadowland in the poem Inanna and its expression in the Opera."
On Saturday morning Eva Campbell presented a lively and enthralling workshop exploring the vertical - being in our own space; horizontal - the space around us; saggital - our reaching out, and their relationship within the body.
This was followed by an active, individual movement and vocal exploration of "The Red Shoes", full of subpersonalities, symbols and a journey of loss and re:discovery.
Sarah Verney Caird, our planned keynote speaker was unable to attend due to illness and so, thanks to Jenni's tireless effort, the space was filled by Alexander Massey. He introduced us to the deeply internal and intensely quiet authentic voice within us .We encountered the inner, individual symbol chosen by our voice , connecting with its power and guidance for our individual journey.
Before Saturday dinner Melanie Harrold treated us to a short "Singing Body " workshop and Bernadette O'Brien gave a talk, "Working Psychotherapeutically with Voice", which outlined how voice work is served by psychotherapeutic input.
After dinner we shared songs and performances informally.
The rich tapestry of the weekend provided us all with an ever widening perspective and enthusiasm for this wonderful work.
From Joan Harris
The Annual Conference for VMT in October was an inspiring event for me; a time to meet musicians with some similar interest and experiences and even a chance to learn two songs which I shared further within the next weeks! I liked the shared meals with camaraderie. Hearing others playing the piano 'between' times and sharing songs was a joy. It was interesting to hear how some people are building and working from the VMT training as originally founded. Thanks to those who organised this - and found a replacement - at very short notice! for the ailing keynote speaker.
On Dec.9th, at Jenni Roditi's Loft , the planned keynote speaker, Sarah Verney Caird, gave a very interesting presentation on her life journey as a music therapist, having trained at the Nordoff-Robbins centre in London some years previously. Sheila Braggins also presented aspects of the work and aquaintance of Alfred Wolfsohn and Charlotte Salomon who painted her own life story , much included was her training with and friendship with Wolfsohn. It was a day of warm hospitality and enthusiastic sharing, much appreciated by all who attended. Thank you to Jenni for organizing this and offering the use of the Loft.
from Verda Rochon
The International Association For Voice Movement Therapy (IAVMT) 2007 Annual Conference. "Working towards Wholeness and Branching Out": two days of singing, sharing, improvisation and active Voice Movement Therapy work; two days of reflection, inquiry, discovery and growth; two days multiplied by twenty more and many yet to comeas the integration of such a rich and rewarding experience continues to unfold. In pain one day, I suddenly hear another voice mirroring my cries. At the same time I have a flashback to the 'holy flies' meeting Inanna. My pain is relieved and I recognise that I have absorbed a new and invaluable tool. On another occasion , as I speak hesitantly, I shift to find my 'vertical' and feel the calm sureness of presence root me. On still another , after initially turning down and later accepting a frightening and challenging opportunity, I see myself standing outside of the 'circle' and later wishing I had entered: "It was like that", I think. Recently , no longer wearing my 'Red Shoes' , I walk along the sidewalk, feeling, breathing and growing new feet again. The IAVMT 2007 Annual Conference -two days of expanding, two days of transforming, two days times many more of moving towards 'wholeness and branching out.'