About Singing Freedom
and the Art Of Overtone Singing

Self-expression, personal growth and authentic communication
Singing Freedom's main focus is on the use of the voice as a therapeutic instrument and a source of self discovery. By studying the art of sound and communication, how we use, choose and feel our sounds, thoughts and words, we create better relationships with ourselves and other beings.
The singing techniques of overtone or diphonic singing, also called vocal harmonics, go back to traditional shamanism, creating a magical double sound in the voice: a very high whistle-like melody appears in our voice above the fundamental note. We learn how to use our voice to break up these harmonics into specific sound frequencies.
"Thank you for orchestrating the most incredible workshop I have ever attended. The amount of freedom, support, guidance, and presence you provided was like a thin chrysalis. Enclosing and catalysing a metamorphosis process that was raw, messy and ultimately life-changing.  It was the first time I felt safe and accepted in a circle while encouraged to be myself. For me that was a much needed lesson of belonging without self-sacrifice."
       - Chloe, after workshop in Athens.
In our seminars and retreats we create the space in which creativity flows freely, a safe space of mutual trust, so we can begin a "Voice Quest" to discover ourselves through our sound, the natural way: to relax, to sigh, to yawn, to sing!

The expression of our emotions by singing together is a joyous and exciting inner journey.  In our retreats we explore our sound without imposing a structure, a sensitive, flexible and interactive way of sharing that honors each person's state of being, whilst listening to their wisdom and that of the group.
The singing techniques of Vocal harmonics, also called overtone or diphonic singing, are an essential element of our sharings. This traditional singing style found in Tuva, Mongolia, as well as in Tibet, creates a magical double sound in the voice.

A very high whistle-like melody appears in our voice above the fundamental note, like magic! We learn how to use our voice to break up these harmonics into specific sound frequencies.
We discover that the voice has magical powers: how it can link body and soul; a secret of self expression; an aspect of the dance of the soul; a way to contact the primal foundations of communication; experience to be truly human. Sound penetrates all matter and indeed vibrates eternally throughout the creation.

We learn how rhythms and melodies can affect our mind and states of awareness and how we can use music to create environments of peace and higher consciousness.
We practice becoming conscious of our sound, our words and the effect they have on ourselves, our environment and the group.
We breathe. We remember how to relax, deeply. We open our mind, heart and mouth, and sound comes out, free at last!

We develop an observant and compassionate look at life and each other, to be present onto this moment. This way, when we talk and sing, sound starts coming from the heart, becoming true feeling sound.
We study the science of communication, how to use and choose our sounds, thoughts and words to create better relationships with ourselves and other beings. This is a complex path, and a very individual one, slowly learning more about who we are, one inspired moment after another, connected deeply to our feelings.

We have a lot of tools at our disposition, resources and experiences that you will get to know intimately during our retreats.
It's beautiful to see how quickly initially inhibited participants  become openhearted and empowered people. When we sing, there is nothing else, no thought, just feelings, emotions being expressed to each other, energy flowing naturally...

At the end of the day we see people walk away with a smile on their face, and we know why: they feel more free!
When you join our seminars we wish for you to have an experience. We can define experience as being present, without definition, expectation or judgment, with one’s perceptions.

Although a high ideal, the act of singing allows for a temporary silence in the mind, with as a result a natural state of meditation.
"This workshop with Arianna and Igor was one of the best blessings that I had in my life, it helped me a lot on understanding better my body and feel my essence. Harmonic sound heals and makes us dive very deep in the core of our soul, I learned crucial wisdom with this amazing healing sound. ...I have been applying in my daily life what I learned from both of you. I really love your work, harmonic sounds are very powerful healers."
- Silvia, after workshop in Portugal

Themes we bring to the table

Included in our workshops are demonstrations of various singing styles with group and individual exercises, with healthy detours into various other subject matters:
  • Overtone singing: use of vowels to create vocal harmonics
  • Improvisation or how to trust what comes put naturally
  • Toning, One Note, One World: focus on one note at a time
  • Intuitive Sound Diagnosis: better listening through harmonics
  • Soundmassage: application of sound frequencies on the body
  • Ritual movements of re-alignment and centering
  • The Inner Shaman: wounded healers, sharing the same wound
  • Free your body, free your voice: breath, movement and relaxation
  • The healing voice: expressing our emotions
  • The voice as a mirror: traveling companion, guide on the path
  • Mantra, Kirtan, Zikhr, Trance and the repetion of sacred sounds
  • Song magic when singing comes from the heart
  • The inner child and it's inner parents
  • Enemy or Animal: from jailed anger to freeing our power
  • Personal magnetism and natural authority
  • Balance and cooperation between male and female energies
  • Being and becoming a channel of loving awareness
  • Vitruvian Man and the thoroid space that surrounds our body
  • Non-violent communication or how to say what you really mean

Biographies

Dutch singer-musician Igor Ezendam and his brilliant italian partner Arianna Artioli on their decade of touring with Feeling Sound have touched the hearts and minds of many people along the way.

Igor’s music is an example of the use of the voice as a therapeutic instrument and source of self discovery. His personal style of vocal harmonics, a pure and crystal clear sound developed over thirty years of experimentation, is capable of clearing the energetic body of old fears, stuck emotions and karmic weight.

Arianna Artioli’s caring presence, poignant humor and emotional sensitivity help bring people back on track into love through truthful processing of old traumas. Together with Igor’s compassionate feedback and practical suggestions for improvement, being part of one of their retreats is a truly liberating experience.
Read more about Igor and Arianna here.