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SONGWRITING
RETREAT
with
–
SONGWRITING
RETREAT
with
Join the wonderful singer-songwriter, ethnographer and cultural anthropologist Kristina Jacobsen for a unique songwriting retreat in Cyprus. Kristina is Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology and Anthropology (Ethnology) at the University of New Mexico, and a touring singer-songwriter. She also fronts the all-female honky-tonk band Merlettes, and is the founder and co-facilitator of the UNM Honky-Tonk Ensemble. Kristina is an experienced retreat leader, and has led songwriting retreats in Navajo Country, Sardinia (Santu Lussurgiu), and northern Spain (Camino de Santiago).
In this intensive, weeklong songwriting workshop, Kristina will offer daily songwriting assignments and guided mentoring, morning mindfulness practice, nightly song circles, and a final performance held in the village square, open to all village residents. The workshop is modelled on (a) developing your own singing, writing and artistic voice, (b) cultural exchange/cultural immersion, and (c) building community through cowriting. Participants are paired with a different cowriter each day, including retreat facilitators, and will leave the retreat with up to five new cowritten songs.
To be considered for the retreat, please send a brief email to facilitator Kristina Jacobsen at [email protected], cci’ng [email protected], detailing (a) your instrument and songwriting experience, if any, (b) why you want to participate in this workshop specifically, (c) what you are hoping to get out of the experience as an artist, songwriter and human being. If you have links (up to 3) to recordings or videos of your music, these are welcome as well. Any additional questions and queries are always welcome.
This retreat is open to songwriters of all levels, beginner to experienced. It is also open to writers (poets, fiction writers, spoken word artists) wanting to cross into songwriting but desiring mentoring, encouragement and inspiration to do so.
Maximum number of participants: 10
Language of instruction: English (you can compose lyrics in other languages too)
Registration deadline: 15 March 2024
Total Cost per Person
The retreat begins and finishes on a Tuesday. We will begin with a welcome dinner on Tuesday evening (25 June), and finish with breakfast on the following Tuesday (2 July). Workshops will take place between 26 June and 1 July. The final concert will be held on Monday, 1 July.
There are approximately three hours of teaching/talks/dedicated writing time each morning between Wednesday, 26 June, and Monday, 1 July. Afternoons are more flexible: there is dedicated writing time, and also suggestions for excursions in and around the village. Taking part in all social activities of the retreat is entirely optional.
As is the case with all of our retreats, this is also very much a culinary retreat. Breakfast and dinner take place on the balcony of Oikia Roti (‘main retreat house’), and are prepared by our resident chef, Manolis Melissaris of The Lonely Olive. Coffee, tea, cakes and snacks are prepared daily by our resident pastry chef, Zafeiro Neofytou of Thursday Pastry. Both Manolis and Zafeiro stay with us for the duration of the retreat.
One of Topos’s stated aims is to support the local economy, and to give back to the village in any way we can. We have therefore partnered with the three village tavernas for all our lunches, as well as for our final dinner.
More details on the retreat schedule will be announced soon.
For enquiries and bookings, please contact Topos Retreat at [email protected].