The living instrument
A modular deep dive into
Collaborative Vocal Improvisation (CVI) and
Vocal Process Art (VPA) held over three separate weeks in Långrådna - Sweden.
Course Leaders : Kajsa Norrby (SE) Tom Keegan (UK)
Upcoming dates 2025-2026
Module 1 12-16 November 2025
Module 2 11-15 March 2026
Module 3 13-17 May 2026
Do you want to take the next step on your musical journey? Refine your musicality and immerse yourself in creativity and the art of CVI & VPA. An opportunity to better learn and discover the incredible instrument that is your body and soul.
As a participant you need to be able to sing in tune and keep a beat. It is good to have experience of CVI and VPA but not necessary.
Maximum 12 participants
8 platser kvar
The Living Instrument is a modular course held over three separate weeks.
Module one focuses on your inner song and you as a soloist - Welcome yourself.
Module two focuses on musicality and playfulness together with others - Welcome others.
Module three focuses on you as an artist - Step into and Celebrate your artistry.
All with collaborative vocal improvisation and vocal process art as tools and art forms.
“I was challenged and inspired by all the amazing, different, beautiful and complex voices that I’ve been able to sing alongside and learn from.”
What is Collaborative Vocal Improvisation - CVI?
What is Vocal Process Art - VPA?
The body and soul as an instrument
Play and spontaneous music making through different improvisational forms
Lots of loops, loops loops - practicing being a steady anchor for your fellow musicians
Beat, harmony, rhythm, words, sounds - lots of focus and presence in the music training!
Creative, authentic, collaborative, fun, healing.
Taking your space, and gaining confidence as a vocalist
Circle singing, Movement exploration, Performance skills
Sharing and support, Breathing and Grounding
Individual sessions, to support your exploration and journey
Challenging in a safely held space full of love and warmth, tears and laughter.
The process is the greatest and most beautiful artform. Dare to say yes and be present and anything can happen.
Do you play the instrument VOICE? Do you long to create music with other vocal instruments?
As a vocalist, I often feel that this is like finally being able to play again and find new playmates. Within a given structure and different forms, we play different roles. And if you learn the game, you can benefit from playing with anyone regardless of level and experience. Playfulness is one of the most serious and finest things there is! Let's PLAY music together!
In the art of CVI, you are a fully fledged instrument in who encounter other people's vocal instruments. You are a soloist, band member, orchestra and conductor, with your body and soul – your instrument.
Do you know who Bobby mc.Ferrin is? He popularized CVI and circle singing, but it is actually an ancient art form that exists in many cultures.
Have you tried improvisation with Kajsa Norrby or Tom Keegan before? If so, you have gotten a little insight into what CVI and VPA can mean. There is so much more! Let's create music together - all the way in, all the way out!
The course takes place at Långrådna Kultur, in the old farm house from 1868. Långrådna Kultur is the home of Kajsa Norrby and lays in a beautiful landscape at the east coast of Sweden, 2,5h south of Stockholm by car.
“Go there, it’s amazing.
But be prepered to meet yourself.”
“Ground-breaking work. Boundary-pushing and personally developing.”
WHO IS THIS FOR?
The modern world does not allow for many spaces where people are invited to play, and share their voices in all their wildness, and all their vulnerability. But there are deep, joyful connections to be found from swimming in these waters. Working with music within a group of peers, and growing together as a collective instrument is a powerful journey. It can open paths to self-discovery, growth in self-confidence, and your ability to connect with others.
Refine your musicality and immerse yourself in creativity and the art of CVI & VPA. An opportunity to better learn and discover the incredible instrument that is your body and soul.
As a participant you need to be able to sing in tune and keep a beat. It is good to have experience of CVI and VPA but not necessary.
We are proud and excited to be able to offer this work to the world. If this sounds like something that would appeal to you, we really invite you to take the leap and challenge yourself. We hope to be singing with you soon!
“Kajsa and Tom are such Human, natural teachers”
“A lot of fun with laughter and song.
I would recommend it to anyone wishing to pursue singing/groupwork or generally build confidence and artistry. ”
Maximum 12 participants
In your registration of interest for the course, we ask you to tell us a about yourself and you previous music experiences. We also ask you to send two recordings, please use the phone and just record, no polished recordings, just here and now. One where you improvise for 1 minute and one where you sing a song you know. All unaccompanied. We aim to create a group where you feel you have the chance to grow and develop, refill and replenish yourself.
If you are interested we would love to hear from you and welcome you to Långrådna.
“To hold space and support others whilst also stepping into my own shine and purpose. Learning when to listen, when to invent and when to follow and build.”
COURSE FEE
8800 SEK /week (including moms/VAT)
25400 SEK for all three weeks. (including moms/VAT)
BED & FOOD
You are more than welcome to stay on the farm during the course. Kajsa opens up her beautiful 19th century farmhouse to hold these courses in, and in many ways the characterful farm building is a participant in the course! A bed in a single or shared room in the main building or guest house, and simple yet delicious home cooked food is offered as a gift during your stay. We find that participants have a better experience when they can stay on site with their musical tribe!
We cook as much as we can with ingredients grown on our own self-sufficient farm.
If you would prefer to bring your own food for the week, or arrange your own accommodation somewhere locally, please let us know. There are no restaurants or shops nearby, so food would need to be purchased elsewhere. There are both hostels and Airbnbs available in the area.
SCHEDULE :
Each week will run from Wednesday to Sunday.
We will begin on Wednesday morning, but you are welcome to arrive the evening before if you have a long way to travel, or would like a more relaxed arrival.
The week ends on the Sunday after lunch. A detailed schedule will be provided to participants closer to the course.
REFUND IN CASE OF CANCELLATION:
Once the course is booked the purchase is binding. The course fee is invoiced via email. (Check your junk mail!)
SEK 1200 is the booking fee and this is non-refundable. However,
- If you cancel 40 days before the start of the course, the course fee will be fully refunded, minus the booking fee.
- If you cancel less than 40 days before the start of the course, half the course fee will be refunded, minus the booking fee.
- Cancellation less than 20 days before - no refund.
- In the event of illness, you will be directed to another course week, if you are not able to take part in upcoming weeks the course fee will be refunded, minus the booking fee. (medical certificate required)
- If the course is cancelled, we will direct you to another date for the course, if this is not possible to find the full amount will, of course, be refunded.
“This course is for all who want to live in a full and authentic way
and being held in it.”
Kajsa Norrby
Kajsa Norrby
"I am a Vocal Process Artist, course leader, singer and songwriter. My roots are in folk singing, classical singing and theatre. I have been inspired by and collaborated with famous teachers in singing, voice, theatre and improvisation in different countries for the last 15 years, including Frankie Armstrong (UK), Anders Nyberg (SE), Kefas Berlin (SE) & Teater Morgana (DK) Jodi Gilbert (NL) Briony Greenhill (UK) Energy, humour, thoughtfulness, presence, & courage to create great music in simplicity with our living body instruments together are what I am passionate about in my work. Letting ourselves be touched and having fun! I work with voice singing & improvisation a capella, with the body as an instruments. I am active in the international choir leader network Natural Voice and regularly tour with my workshops in Europe and Sweden. I run the singing centre Långrådna Kultur on my farm where I annually lead Women's Voice Camp and courses in Vocal process art and vocal improvisation together with Claire Stronach (UK) and Tom Keegan (UK) among others. . In 2023 I was employed in the village halls' nationwide project "Kulturbygdsturnén" with support from the Swedish Arts Council. Where I was a choir leader and singer and created Process Art in the interactive production "Songs for the People"
VOCAL PROCESS ART is an art form and an artistic tool that I have developed and use both as an artist and leader in vocal process work. The process and what we create in the present is in focus, not the performance in front of a passive audience and I work with groups and individuals in depth to create art from the inside out.
Tom Keegan
Tom Keegan
"I'm a filmmaker, musician, and woodworker. I grew up in London, where I was lucky enough have a community Arts centre a short walk from my house. There, I performed on stage for the first time, attended regular performance workshops, and took part in many of the community theatre productions between the ages of of 8 to 18. After studying Photography and Media, I went on to work in video production, writing, filming, and directing streaming content, commercials, and TV shows. Alongside my media career, I continued to perform on stage with the Bristol Improv Theatre, performing in various improv troupes, as well as learning improvisational singing with Imo Palmer (UK) for an improv musical show that we later took to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. More recently, I've been learning the arts of fooling with Holly Stoppit (UK), and CVI with Briony Greenhill (UK). I've come away from these recent explorations with a renewed passion for the creative processes, and huge respect for what forms like Collaborative Vocal Improvisation can do to foster connection, creativity, and joy.
“The collaboration,
the music that arises and lives in and through us.”
Welcome to Långrådna!
Kajsa & Tom
“The process – WOW! The individual and the group process”
“Creating music that makes it possible to fly with my voice in harmony with others”