In Person
October 14 - 19
Tuition, Room and Board $850.00 (shared room with 2 other people) $975.00 (shared room with one other person) $1,170.00 (single room) $200 non-refundable deposit to hold a place
Sing For Jay October 14 - 19
A five day vocal jazz workshop and retreat in Greece led by Kris Adams and Dejha Colantuono celebrating the life and work of Jay Clayton who was the first artist to offer a workshop at our retreat center. She taught and inspired us so much over the years. Her innovation was unparalleled. In her memory we will work on the Free jazz music she developed as well some of her favorite standards. It will be a week of remembering her together and honoring her memory in a place that she loved and planned to return to.
Kris Adams
For over 30 years, Kris has sung at venues and given educational instruction worldwide, and has shared stages, recording studios, and teaching clinics with such luminaries as Joe Lovano, Luciana Souza, Gregory Hutchinson, Cameron Brown, Billy Drummond, Michelle Hendricks, and Paul Bley. Kris also has four solo albums to her credit, as well as guest appearances and featured turns on a variety of jazz recordings and projects. She has adjudicated at many national music festivals, as well as participated in conferences around the world.
A 1982 graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Kris began performing professionally all over New England, and subsequently joined the faculty of the New England Conservatory of Music. There, in addition to her role as instructor, she received a Master’s degree in Jazz Studies, studying with respected jazz artists Paul Bley, Jimmy Guiffre, and Dominique Eade, as well as participating in workshops with such luminaries as Sun Ra, T.S. Monk, Jr., and Claire Fischer. Upon completion of this degree, she joined the faculty at Berklee, and is currently a professor in the Harmony, Voice, and Ensemble departments. She also is a member of the Performing Music faculty at Wellesley.
Kris is also an author, recently completing the book “Sing Your Way Through Theory – A Music Theory Workbook For The Contemporary Singer.”
“We Should Have Danced,” her latest recording, is available from CDBaby, iTunes, Amazon.com, and Spotify. https://krissadams.com
Retreat Schedule
October 14 -19
MONDAY
Arrive in Athens and travel to Mets for an evening session with a view of the Acropolis
Evening Session 7-9p
Arrive October 14 in time for a 7-9pm evening gathering in Mets, central Athens.
Enjoy a light meal at Nana and Caryn’s place with a view of the Acropolis and the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Spend the night in a hotel, pension, or Airbnb of your choice (not included in price). Email us for a list of suggestions.
TUESDAY
Travel to the island
Enjoy breakfast on your own at your B&B or pick up a Gravieropita (special goat cheese from Naxos pastry) across the street from our rendez-vous point
On the 15th we all leave for the island (ferry/bus/cab ticket not included).
We will have car pools going to the island from Athens center for a small fee.
We will stop in the nearby town of Karystos (10 minutes drive from Bouros) for some sight-seeing, shopping (you may want to pick up some local Greek honey, yogurt, olives for snacks or a beach mat or hat), lunch on your own at one of the tavernas along the waterfront.
Then we stop for mountain-fed spring water and arrive at the farm in the afternoon.
Farm to table dinner all together. Evening session 8pm to 10pm.
Wednesday-saturday
Daily Sessions
Mornings begin with a one hour somatic movement session with Caryn.
Two 2.5 hour vocal sessions with Kris per day.
Extra activities may include swimming, visiting a stunning waterfall, and participating in a concert performance.
Brunch and dinner provided except for the possibility of a lunch on the waterfall trip and dinner in the town.
SUNDAy
Depart on October 20 from the Island.
Check out around 11:30a
Pack up and leave the room by 11:30a.
Brunch provided.
Organize your transport back together via ferry, taxi, bus or metro to airport, etc.
Feel free to book extra days after the retreat.
Accommodations & About Your Stay
Choose a private room or share with one or two friends. Twin nontoxic mattresses, in room bathroom with shower, kitchenette with sink, coffee/tea and mini fridge. Every room has a sea view and is a minute’s stroll to the sea. Outdoor showers in between. Solar hot water. AC. Internet. Well water for showering. Spring water in bottles for drinking.
Bedrooms
Beds
Guests
Sky Room
Meet in the Sky Room where you can sing with a beautiful view of the sea.
Fly in to Athens
Fly to Athens possibly a day or two ahead to enjoy ancient sites and delicious restaurants. Nana and Caryn will be available for some guidance.
Taxi or Bus to Ferry
A taxi to the Ferry is about a half hour drive or take the bus right to the port.
Ferry to Island
Grab your tickets at the port and hop aboard for a one hour scenic trip across the sea to the island of Evia.
Farm to Table
Fruit, veggies and eggs come from the organic farm with some supplemental locally sourced natural and organic specialties.
Enjoy Nontoxic Body Care
Some complimentary reef safe, nontoxic body care products are provided so your body can get a vacation from hidden toxins in most commercial brands, and the environment is respected since we are so close to the sea. We will post a few weeks prior to the workshop what we have and what you might want to bring. Good for vocal health and performance as well as the planet and sea.
Possible Concert in Castle
There is the possibility that we can organize a concert to perform Jay’s music at a historic castle in the neighboring town of Karystos on Saturday evening
Visit an Oasis
Platanistos is a magical oasis we can opt to visit about an hour from Bouros. Enjoy a cool shady waterfall with pools and streams of fresh crystal clear water amidst sun-dappled greenery
Have a Question?
Policies & F.A.Q.
Nontoxic BodyCare and Clear Clothes
We will attempt to create a nontoxic environment for singing with a combination of provided nontoxic products and some we suggest you bring with you. By the end of summer, our supply may be limited, so check in with us a few weeks before your trip to confirm what we are able to provide that may include reef safe sunscreen, mosquito repellant, shampoo, conditioner, body and hand soap, body and face lotion, deodorant. Bring your hair and toothbrush and leave anything with commercial fragrance or chemical pesticides at home if possible. The retreat is so close to the shore we have committed to honoring the pristine waters, and the community environment will be healthier for all. For ultimate vocal support, in preparation for your retreat, wash your clothes with nontoxic laundry products so your body and those around you will be able to relax in this oasis from chemical assaults. Brands that we know are nontoxic include Seventh Generation, BioKleen, BioPac, Ecover Zero, Sodasan or use vinegar or baking soda.
What to Bring
Comfortable clothes for singing and one outfit you could perform in
long pants for hiking if you want,
bathing suit or two and sun skinz if you want to be in the sun as long as you want
casual dinner clothes for in town dining
a sweater or wrap for cool evenings
and a beach towel
if possible prewash the above in nontoxic laundry products like Seventh Generation, BioPac, BioKleen or Charlie Soap or baking soda or vinegar.
Flip flops
hiking shoes (if you want to explore the trails)
sunglasses
journal?
toothbrush and toothpaste and any other bath and bodycare we can’t provide (we will know about 2 weeks beforehand)
comb or brush
What Not to Bring
Don’t bring:
Anything with commercial fragrance or other hazardous chemical such as DEET, parfum, scent, fragrance, chemical sunscreen
Cigarettes – the retreat center is non-smoking
For fire safety, no candles, incense or anything else that might require open flames. The surrounding area is dry and fire is a danger. With supervision from retreat staff, it is possible to build a fire in the barbeque area or on the beach in the evening, but extreme care is needed and supervision required.
Outdoor & Adventure
In addition to your swimsuit, you may want to bring a snorkel, mask and fins to enjoy the clear waters where you can spot fish and seaweed. For hiking you may want some hiking boots and long pants to give you protection from brush as well as a sun hat. For extended hours in the sun, you may want some sun skins. At the private rocky seaside, some water shoes can help.
Day Trips
We can take a day trip to a delightful fresh water oasis – Platanistos – about an hour’s drive that offers delicious fresh water pools and cool streams communing with a lush green environment.
Art & Culture
The nearby town of Karistos has regular open air concerts.
Cantina at Beach and Restaurants Nearby
Next door to us, there is a cantina with a full array of coffee and other drinks as well as food that you can enjoy in a cabana lounge chair at the seaside. Within less than a ten minute cab ride, there are an array of restaurants to choose from as well as one with a bar a short 5 minute walk from us.
Checkin & Checkout
Check in is any time after 3pm
Check out is anytime before 11am
We will work with you if your needs fall outside of these hours if we have advance notice.
Let us know your travel plans and we can help advise you on bus from airport, ferry schedules, and how to get a taxi from ferry to Center. Rome to Rio is a great site and app that will provide transport details.
It is possible to book a few extra days on either side of the retreat.
Cancellation Policy
Seven day cancellation free of charge (minus registration fee). After 7 days 50% of total workshop fee.
in person jazz vocal fun awaits
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