As bedside musicians, there are times when we want to set aside our musical instruments and use instead the simple power of the solo voice. Join us to create or expand your vocal repertoire, while taking time to restore and connect with each other at a special 2 day MHTP workshop led by acclaimed world musicians Susan Robbins and Marytha Paffrath of Libana. As we create a musical community for the weekend, we will interweave body and mind relaxation and breathing techniques with vocal and listening skills, while learning simple songs from many cultures, especially suitable for bedside work. With guidance from CMP Ellen Epstein, Susan and Marytha will present unaccompanied songs appropriate for each of the four patient categories. Practitioners new to the exploration of their voice as well as seasoned singers are warmly welcomed.

Recently lauded as “the spiritual mothers of song circles around the country”, the 6-woman vocal ensemble Libana illuminates the spirit and universality of women’s experience through the performance of music, song, and dance from around the globe. The group has released 8 recordings and published 3 songbooks including the acclaimed A Circle Is Cast. Susan Robbins, Libana's founder and Artistic Director, knew from an early age that singing was at the core of her spiritual path. Her deep compassion, love of laughter, and heartfelt belief in the healing power of music bring a clarity, insight, and brilliance to her music and teaching. Marytha Paffrath, Libana's principal drummer and percussionist, is an innovative teacher, singer, composer, and writer who believes deeply in bringing the simplicity of song to the complexity of the world. Together, Marytha and Susan bring lively, humor-filled, grounded guidance to workshops coast to coast. www.libana.com

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TUITION: In order to accommodate varying financial realities, we are offering a sliding scale of $110-160 per person. Put yourself where you feel comfortable, and be generous in equal measure. Some tuition assistance may be available – contact Ellen for more info. (Note that tuition does not include food or lodging.)

MHTP CEUs = 9;

CLASS SIZE: limited to 35 participants

PAYMENT: check or PayPal

Payment in full is requested at the time of registration – this is simplest for you and for us. If this is not possible, a minimum deposit of $60 will hold your place until Dec 15, at which time the balance is due. Please contact us if you need to make other financial arrangements.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Tuition will be refunded in full for cancellations prior to Jan 1. After Jan 1, a $20 cancellation fee will apply.

LODGING: You will need to make your own arrangements. Just one mile away there’s a Holiday Inn (30 Washington Street, Somerville). They are holding a limited number of rooms for us at the discounted rate of $80/room (+tax). Each room has two beds. Up to 4 people can stay in each room without extra charge. This rate applies for 3 days before and 3 days after our workshop, if you want to extend your stay. Reservations must be made directly with the hotel – call (617) 628-1000 and mention MHTP to get the discount. (Note: if you like using public transpo, there is free parking at the hotel, and a bus that runs directly to Union Square).

FOOD: We will provide water and tea throughout the workshop. For lunch on Saturday, we suggest you enjoy one of the many restaurants in Union Square – there is a wide variety of reasonably-priced ethnically-varied food within steps of Third Life Studio (personal favorite: Machu Picchu - Peruvian food - right across the street). We will provide a list of local restaurants and menus for your perusal. The studio does not have a full kitchen, but a small fridge, microwave, and teakettle are available for your use.