Zingora Vocal School
Zingora workshops
“ Live, human-to-human, creative musical processes bring power to the planet.”
– Iva Bittova
January 30. – February 1. 2026
Salt Point, NY
Building Community through Music and Nature
Ethnomusicologist John Blacking notes: The ethnomusicologist John Blacking observes, “Through musical interaction, two people create forms that are greater than the sum of their parts, and make for themselves experiences of empathy that would be unlikely to occur in ordinary social intercourse.” Participants in the Zingora workshop have the opportunity to experience this first-hand through traditional songs, group improvisations and experiential learning. Iva explains, “As a musician working with folk traditions, I have always lived in harmony with and paid close attention to the sights and sounds of the forest, which has been essential to my personal inspiration.”
My music comes from contact with nature. To get into a natural, present musical moment in the group, I encourage students to focus away from the noise and distractions of technology and stressful daily activities.”
Voice workshops are designed for students of all ages and levels.
Letter
Hello, Friends,
Thank you for your interest in Žingora School of Voice!
Our next event will take place on January 30 to February 1, 2026, in a beautiful setting in New York’s Hudson Valley. Now in our eighth year, our school continues to be open to everyone who would like to enhance their expressive potential in harmony with others and with the environment. Each weekend’s program and offerings are supportive of students at all levels of experience and are adapted to the particular group of students every time we meet.
Here is a general outline of the activities we have planned:
Friday
2:00 pm – 2:30 pm: Welcome! Introductions
Come into the space, and connect with the group
2:30 pm – 5:00 pm: Workshop:
Focus on breathing, warming up our voices, and deep chest voices
Saturday
10:00 am – 1:00 pm: Workshop
Tuning up our body as an instrument through breath and movement
Timothy Hill: An introduction to harmonic singing as a foundational practice
A traditional song from Eastern Europe
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch break
2:00 pm – 5:00: Workshop
Tonal and rhythmic exercises
Improvisational song-play
Learning and sharing songs from many traditions
6:30 pm – 7.30 pm: Concert with Iva Bittová and Timothy Hill
Open to all students, guests, and the public. Bring a friend!
This will be an intimate experience of our teachers in performance.
Sunday
10:00 am – 13 pm: Workshop
Warming up body and voice.
Improvisations – bring an instrument if you like!
Singing with the Land and Waters
1: 00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch break
2:00 pm – 2:45 pm: Students prepare a presentation for the teachers, based on the weekend’s experiences
3:00 pm – 3:30 pm: Student presentation and discussion
3:30 – 4:00: Goodbyes and departures
Practical Details:
The cost for the weekend will be $350 USD, with a discount for currently enrolled full-time students. Please send a deposit of $70 by January 9 to reserve your place.
Make payments electronically:
Venmo: @Iva-Bittova, PayPal: iva@bittova.com Or mail your check, made out to Iva Bittová, to:
Iva Bittová
145 Lamoree Road
Rhinebeck, NY 12572 USA
This year, the winter home of Žingora will be held at Mawenawasigh, located at the confluence of the Wappinger and Little Wappinger Creeks in Salt Point, NY, just 80 miles (128km) north of New York City and 70 miles south of Albany.
Mawenawasigh is located just 1 mile from the Taconic State Parkway, at the Salt Point Turnpike exit
The Metro-North train stops at Poughkeepsie, NY and Dover Plains, NY, and the Amtrak train stops at Rhinecliff, NY.
The nearest airports are Stewart International (SWF) Newburgh, NY, Westchester County Airport (HPN) White Plains, NY, and Albany International (ALB) Albany, NY
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation – please be in touch if you need special assistance.
Please inquire also, if you need information about lodging.
We’ll provide soup for lunch on Saturday and Sunday – let us know if you have any dietary restrictions. And feel free to bring a snack to share!
Please contact us with any questions (and be patient in waiting for a reply.)
Looking forward to seeing you in January!
Iva and Timothy
About the workshop
Our sessions are tailored to the capabilities of each student, focusing on individual expression and developing each participant’s unique vocal or instrumental message in the context of our shared space. Sessions begin with a gentle voice and body warm-up, introductions, and exercises to promote listening and group cohesion. Structured improvisations are presented together with Moravian, Slovak and Romani folk songs. Interwoven throughout the course is expert instruction on topics such as overtone singing and breath support. Two delicious homemade lunches are provided.
The highlight of the weekend is a private concert by Ivy, Timothy and friends for students and community members.
As your guide, I encourage you to separate your abilities from your fears, to take small steps and big leaps, to learn many different approaches, styles and techniques, and to play as freely as a child with everything you learn.
– Iva Bittova
Audio
Black bird Zingora
Pricing
Regular Fee
Zingora Vocal School- January 30. - February 1. 2026
The cost for the weekend will be $350 USD, with a discount for currently enrolled full-time students.
- * $70 deposit is required with registration
- of the amount in advance
Happy Students
“A powerful, emotional and insightful journey”.
This workshop allowed me to let go of control and allow space for pure creativity that is within me to come out. The combination of improvisation and nature welcomes the space for the purest form of creativity.
“This experience of safe vulnerability, connection, and deep listening was a paradigm shift for me as both a creative person and a teacher. Learning through guided exploration, rather than directive, explicit, instruction, is a powerful reminder to trust my own, as well as my students’, innate ability to access skills, insights and creative solutions. Thank you for this unique opportunity, your masterful facilitation, your beautiful music and open hearts.”
– Carri A., M.S., CCC-SLP
The weekend with you was very special for me, too. When time allows, I will elucidate.
As for a statement, I think you liked something I said after our command performance along the lines of “This is the way growing up should have been.” Perhaps you wrote it down at the time? Maybe more on that Bunches of thanks and hugs to both of you for creating an amazing experience. I am still resonating Žingora.
“I have nevøer felt so free to express myself as I did singing in the woods at Žingora. Iva is an amazing teacher who expertly guides you to create from the part of you that listens and feels most deeply. You will leave the experience with new musical insights into your artistic voice and a profound feeling of joy. Truly one of the best artistic and healing experiences of my life.”
The weekend with you was very special for me, too. When time allows, I will elucidate.
As for a statement, I think you liked something I said after our command performance along the lines of “This is the way growing up should have been.” Perhaps you wrote it down at the time? Maybe more on that Bunches of thanks and hugs to both of you for creating an amazing experience. I am still resonating Žingora.
The weekend with you was very special for me, too. When time allows, I will elucidate.
As for a statement, I think you liked something I said after our command performance along the lines of “This is the way growing up should have been.” Perhaps you wrote it down at the time? Maybe more on that Bunches of thanks and hugs to both of you for creating an amazing experience. I am still resonating Žingora.
The weekend with you was very special for me, too. When time allows, I will elucidate.
As for a statement, I think you liked something I said after our command performance along the lines of “This is the way growing up should have been.” Perhaps you wrote it down at the time? Maybe more on that Bunches of thanks and hugs to both of you for creating an amazing experience. I am still resonating Žingora.
Video from Vocal School
Around the Rock
Living room
In the Pavilion
Pictures From Our Classes
Zingora Vocal School
Rhinebeck, New York, USA, CZ, EUROPE
Write to us
hello@zingora-vocal-school.com