Episode 4: Building A Vocal Community (Ysaye Barnwell)

Interview Series by Dr. Joel Ying. “People of passion and purpose, doing interesting things, living their present moment.” LivingthePresentMoment.com/podcastshow When people come together as a group and sing, there is something about it that makes people stop to listen. Dr. Joel Ying interviews Ysaye Barnwell, exploring how she builds vocal community in her workshops, seminars, …Read More

Wanting Memories

I am sitting here wanting memories to teach me to see the beauty in the world through my own eyes. — Ysaye Barnwell, Wanting Memories These haunting lyrics were written by Ysaye Barnwell and originally recorded by the African-American all-women a capella group, Sweet Honey in the Rock. Since then, many groups have recorded the song, including …Read More

The Power in Vocal Communities

Last summer, I spent a week with my friend Ysaye Barnwell in her annual workshop “Building a Vocal Community” at the Omega Institute. In this workshop singers and non-singers (like I used to be) learn to sing in the oral tradition. (No music to read. No words to read. We learn by listening and repeating.) …Read More