Collective Vocal Improvisation: with Erwan Noblet

Collective vocal improvisation can be described as a cappella improvisation involving the voice and the body, which includes Circlesongs, vocal jamming, add-or-change-a-part, vocal orchestra, body-percussion, and just plain make it up singing.

Using the Vocal River and Música do Círculo methods, Erwan (our facilitator) will lead us through spontaneous music-making in a supportive and mistake-free environment. Expect an atmosphere of lively play that thrives on the collaboration between participants of all levels of musical experience and inexperience.

As well, it seems worth mentioning that Erwan’s visit to Kitchener-Waterloo is brief this year. And our eagerness to book him before he’s away again is for good reason: Erwan is not only a specialist in the artform, but is also one of the most skillful, and delightful, facilitators we’ve ever come across. What’s more, we’ll be gathering at the Yurt KW, about the coziest event space one could ask for this time of year, wood-stove and all.

We look forward to singing with you and co-creating what, in the context of today’s world, is not only an outright joyful expression of human creativity, but also a genuinely medicinal one.

Again, all levels of experience and inexperience are warmly welcomed.

If money is a barrier to your attending, please contact us!

And for more information about our beloved friend and facilitator, check out Erwan’s Bio below:

Erwan Noblet is passionate about the infinite power of the human voice. He enjoys singing,

acting, teaching, improvising, and exploring various body-voice approaches. He studied with

vocal improvisers and pedagogues like Bobby Mc Ferrin who created the Circlesong practice, the Brazilian Música do Círculo Institute who created the Música do Círculo practice, and recently assisted Rhiannon who created the Vocal River method.

Erwan facilitates workshops, teaches on various musician platforms, and owns his voice studio. He began his Ph.D. in 2021 at the International Institute for Critical Studies in Improvisation (IICSI) at the University of Guelph, researching the pedagogical benefits of integrating collective vocal improvisation into an interdisciplinary upper-level undergraduate course. As an artist, here cently released the EP «ADN» under the name iwa and has co-created many times live, responsive soundscapes at the monthly dance event “Pollinate” in Kitchener as a vocal improviser.