Sounds Enchanting

Singing & Sounding with Mary Benefiel

Mary singing with small group at Covent Garden. Mary is radiant, looking up.

Mary (far right) singing at Covent Garden in aid of 'Peace Direct' . ©John Tramper

Who Sings?

"That the universe is always singing and that we humans need to learn to listen

so that our hearts may join the universal chorus."

Sarah Baker, botanist (1887)

Beyond anything we define as being a 'singer' or 'musical' there is something waiting for us!

Within in each of us is our own unique song. And beyond that music, there is the song that all of the earth and its creatures are singing. We are a part of that chorus.

Humans are designed to resound & resonate like any musical instrument. We are born with a full range of vocal colours to express all aspects of our experience in living.

And You Sing?

While the body is designed to sing and resound, the spirit is often longing to take flight in song. Singing and sounding, whether alone or in a group, is both liberating and therapeutic. You have the right to give voice to yourself. Don't wait too much longer...

Set Yourself Free!

There are plenty of ways to meet your voice with Mary... to find out more, click on the subject that interests you!

Free Your Voice Classes:

NEW! Va-Va-Voce: A Tune-up to Refresh and Revive!
Tuesday (6.00 - 7.00) in Ipswich
Tuesday Evenings (7.15 - 9.15) in Ipswich
Monthly (Sunday 2.00 - 5.00) in Norwich

Workshops: (See schedule for dates)

One day courses (Norwich, East Anglia, UK)
Week-end residentials (UK & Europe)
5 day residential intensives (UK)

Chanting Groups (Ongoing )

Private Voice Tuition

Keep a green tree in your heart, and the singing bird will come.

Mister Lui

Free Your Voice!

Workshops and Classes

Any workshop or class with Mary offers you the opportunity to explore your personal voice in the world.
All the singing and sounding and movement is designed to
loosen the body, centre the spirit and free the voice.
Time is devoted to discovering how the 'Body and Soul' sings
when you listen more deeply and with less censorship.

Often, just giving voice to yourself is all that is needed to feel more 'in tune' and 'in harmony.'

How to Free Your Voice . . . What Happens in a class or workshop?

This is a completely NON- judgmental approach to voice.
During a session we work with the Body that re-sounds and the Spirit that sings.
Exercises are designed to Energise and Liberate both.
These may include:

Physical and vocal warm-ups
Explorations with partners or small groups
Centred breathing and toning to help you resound
Movement & Stillness
Chanting & Singing (group & individual)
Improvisation & 'natural' harmony

Whatever 'HAPPENS' we follow your process, and honour how the voice wants to emerge. In this way you can reap a rich vocal (and musical) harvest.

Previous experience not required (unless otherwise noted).
Due to the popularity of these events, Booking in Advance is essential. See schedule for full details.

Mary's colleague, Peri, stretching out in a sunny garden at workshop

"Mary knows you don’t just sing with your body, but also with your soul."

"I found it useful in breaking down my inhibitions and fear of embarrassing myself. Physically, I found it relaxing and therapeutic."

Who are these classes for. . . ?

If all this sounds good to you, then it probably is -- even if you can come up with 100 reasons why it wouldn't be! If you are either nervous or excited (or both) at the prospect of coming to a voice class, then come, you are right on path. Unsure if you are the right material? These sessions are "Come as You Are." Whatever your level of experience, confidence or (so-called) ability is, if it's enough to get you through the door, then it's enough for the class! And for those of you who have lots of experience, remember, it's not over 'til it's over. Each of us have more to bring to our singing and sounding, and a lifetime to find out what "more" is.

If you would like to check with Mary about your own particular vocal goals or hopes, or whether a particular class is right for you, don't hesitate to contact her.

Keep knocking and the joy inside will eventually open the window
and look to see who's there.
Rumi

Please Note -
Work with sound & resonance can be powerful.
Where issues arise, individual may wish to seek additional support.

Free Your Voice, The Essentials

A Practice CD that strengthens your voice,
your confidence and your vocal-ease!

Available NOW !

Please click here to find out more . . .

Evening Rise, The Workshop CD

A CD of Sacred Chants and Songs to refresh the spirit

for listening, meditating & singing

Mary made this recording in response to the clamour from workshop participants. The CD is a way for people to remember the songs and enjoy them in their most musical sense. More than that, it offers you the chance to find out what happens when we dare to sing into the unknown.

This CD features songs that are chants and mantras from different religious and cultural traditions. The music, rich in acoustic sound, is achieved through the voice and only a few instruments. The effect is to draw the listener deep into the heart of the music.

To find out more about the songs, the CD and how to order, please click here.

Chanting- Enchanting Groups

You do not have to be an experienced singer to take part. Each meeting we will practice sacred chants and mantras from different traditions. While the songs are simple, their real power will be revealed as we practice them together. It is possible, in this context, to deepen your spiritual connection, to get centered more easily, and to come back to a more natural state of peacefulness. Booking in advance is not required, just come!

Ipswich: 1^st and 3^rd Saturday, 10.00 – 11.30,
The Buddhist Centre has moved to a New Location!
"Chalk & Cheese" Building , 4 Friars Bridge Road , Nr. Civic Drive & Princes Street
(Still close to the town centre) £6

Norwich: Monthly, dates vary, see course schedule, 7.30 – 9.00,
The White House, Foulgers Opening, NR1 3AH, £5

The more souls who resonate together, the greater the intensity of their love
and mirror-like, each soul reflects the other.

Dante

Private Tuition

One-to-one coaching allows for a personal exploration
of your voice and your capabilities.

Time and place arranged individually.

Schedule of Courses & Events in
Autumn/Winter 2009

** Workshop places are limited, booking is essential. **

Sep. 29 - Oct. 20
Evening Classes

Va-Va-Voce
A 1 Hour tune-up to refresh and revive.
To Be Scheduled for a later date, stay tuned
£7/drop in, £25 for 4

Free Your Voice!
From sounds to songs, Be more expressive
Tuesday 7:15 - 9:15
£45/£40

The 'Old' Buddhist Centre,
5, The Thoroughfare (nr. town hall
and Evolution Shop), Ipswich
(Contact: Mary Benefiel)

To Book: Send £10 deposit (non-refundable) specifying this course,
with a note of your name, address, telephone and e-mail to:
Mary Benefiel, 18 Oxford Road, Ipswich, IP4 1NL

The only thing better than singing is more singing.

Ella Fitzgerald

Oct. 14

An Evening of Chanting & Meditation
Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00
The White House,
Foulgers Opening,
Norwich (Contact: Mary Benefiel)

Oct. 18 *New In Norwich!

Free Your Voice!
Singing & Sounding Half Day Workshop
Sunday, 2:00 - 5:00 The Manor Rooms,
The Street, Trowse, Norwich
Norfolk NR14 8ST
(Contact: Mary Benefiel)

£15, Booking Required
To Book: Send £10 deposit (non-refundable) specifying this course,
with a note of your name, address, telephone and e-mail to:
Mary Benefiel, 18 Oxford Road, Ipswich, IP4 1NL

October 24

Get On Yer Bike!
International Day of Climate Action

Massed cycle ride in Ipswich
to show we care about Climate Change
(sponsored by Transition Ipswich & 350.org)*

For more info click here
*Special thanks to Reed Digital for printing the leaflets and posters!!

November 2 - 8 *Cancelled*

Voice & Yoga Retreat with Sue Staziker
For future events
Contact: Sue 01728 748409

He who sings frightens away his ills.

Miguel de Cervantes, Don Quixote

Nov. 12 - Dec. 3
Thursday Evening Classes

Va-Va-Voce
A 1 Hour tune-up to refresh and revive.
To Be Scheduled for a later date, stay tuned
£7/drop in, £25 for 4

Free Your Voice!
From sounds to songs, Be more expressive
Thursday 7:15 - 9:15
£45/£40

The 'Old' Buddhist Centre,
5, The Thoroughfare (nr. town hall
and Evolution Shop), Ipswich
(Contact: Mary Benefiel)

To Book: Send £10 deposit (non-refundable) specifying this course,
with a note of your name, address, telephone and e-mail to:
Mary Benefiel, 18 Oxford Road, Ipswich, IP4 1NL

Nov. 16

An Evening of Chanting & Meditation
Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00
The White House,
Foulgers Opening,
Norwich (Contact: Mary Benefiel)

Nov. 22 *New In Norwich!

Free Your Voice!
Singing & Sounding Classes
Sunday, 2:00 - 5:00 The Manor Rooms,
The Street, Trowse, Norwich
Norfolk NR14 8ST
(Contact: Mary Benefiel)

£15, Booking Required
To Book: Send £10 deposit (non-refundable) specifying this course,
with a note of your name, address, telephone and e-mail to:
Mary Benefiel, 18 Oxford Road, Ipswich, IP4 1NL

The high note is not the only thing.
Placido Domingo

Nov. 28 - 29 *Weekend Workshop!

Improper Singing for Proper Singers*
*and proper singing for improper singers...

The Phoenix Centre,
Bridge Barns,
Dunwich,
Suffolk, IP17 3DZ

(Contact: Mary Benefiel)

For more info click here

December 16

An Evening of Chanting & Meditation
Wednesday 7:30 - 9:00
The White House,
Foulgers Opening,
Norwich (Contact: Mary Benefiel)

Also Coming in 2009/10 . . .

A Voice Workshop with a Yoga feel in Brentwood

A Three Day Workshop in Hamburg, Germany
Contact: Annebärbel Claussen

Watch this space for all the details of events in 2009.
If you would like to be kept informed of upcoming events
Join our e-mailing list!

Would you like to see a workshop like this in your area?

Please get in touch with Mary to discuss the possibility!

Telephone: (+44) 01473 289 531 or E-mail: mary@sounds-enchanting.com

Mary in Garden

Mary Benefiel Sings and Teaches… A Biography

In the past 20 years, Mary has coached singing groups, led workshops, been invited to teach as a guest artist at a variety of festivals; has encouraged and inspired people to sing more, and to be better off for it. People from all walks of life and of all ages have been participants. She has performed in shows and recitals in America and Europe. In Belgium, she co-founded Square Watermelon Productions and worked with different ensembles to devise shows. In 2000 she produced a debut CD of children's songs by singer/songwriter Michaela McGivern. In 2003 she recorded her first CD.

Education

Mary's singing training was pursued at Indiana University, later with Nancy Grauff in Minneapolis, and with teachers in Belgium and England. She also trained in voice, theatre, movement/dance and improvisation at Marquette University, Indiana University, The Palace Theatre and l'Ecole du Mime Jacques LeCoq. She has taken Master Classes with the Roy Hart Theatre (Extended Range Work), and the Pan Theatre (Archetypal Voice and Choreographic Voice) and more recently with The Tuscany Project. Her study of posture and alignment includes classes in Alexander Technique and Feldenkrais Method.

After years of teaching, it became clear that there was more to voice work and singing than technique -- that all aspects of the individual are involved. This prompted Mary to pursue studies in spiritual and healing/therapeutic aspects of the voice, which included overtone chanting with Jill Purce and other kinds of traditional spiritual vocal techniques. By far the most in-depth training was with Chloe Goodchild on the Naked Voice.

Performing

Mary's repertoire includes everything from madrigals to musical comedies, from folk songs and spirituals to opera. She has performed with professional theatres in America and Paris in well-known musicals like West Side Story, as well as in world premieres of two folk operas. Mary has created shows for a variety of producers in Brussels including An Evening of Cole Porter, and A Christmas Carousel. Mary was also the lead in A Tribute to Broadway at the European Festival of the Stars. Her one-woman show: Of Cakes Men and Angels premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and then on the continent. Mary was a soloist at the Manchester Streets Ahead Festival in Heaven and Earth. Since moving to the UK she has been a soloist with Chloe Goodchild and the Global Mantra Choir in London, at the Healing Sounds Festival in Brighton, and at the launch of Peace Direct at Covent Garden. In 2006 Mary initiated a new performance piece: The River of Sound, which is based on the 'Whole World' vocal tradition. Together with three very different singers, she combines improvisation and an eclectic selection of songs to create a unique and profound 'one-time-only' event.