Biblical Voices communication workshops draw from many sources, including the art of storytelling, basic vocal techniques, and Biblical theater to help bring out the spoken and unspoken dimensions of communication - to capture and share the vitality of ideas that inspire hearts and minds and to bring out each individual's own voice.
Immersion Communication Workshop: Finding Your Voice
Immersion Communication Workshop 201
Participants' Communication Workshop Comments
This weeklong intensive training begins with an introduction to basic vocal technique (an indispensible principle of effective communication). As skills are demonstrated more effectively during the week, participants gradually focus more on the meaning of their script and how to tell the story. Participants prepare in advance by selecting a set of 40 verses or more (either a story or 'story' of ideas; verses do not need to be contiguous), to use during the class. All participants will find the experience more rewarding if they memorize their script, however it is not required. Participants wishing to focus on Reading may work with the weekly Bible Lessons or Wednesday readings of their choice. Included is a notebook of materials and resources. No prior training needed. Participants should wear comfortable clothing suitable for floor exercises.
Normal rate: $485. Includes about 20 hours of programming (90 minute sessions Mon-Fri -participants choose a time slot that fits with their schedule-and additional group sessions on weekends); 12 participants max; no prior training needed. Pre-registration required. To register click here. This workshop is for Christian Scientists only.
Individuals who have taken the Immersion Communication Workshop are welcome to pursue additional one-on-one coaching through Skype or in person as opportunity permits. This coaching focuses more time on the first two principles of this work. Participants will gain more fluency with the physical skills while developing stillness and strength in their communications. Individuals seeking assistance through one-on-one advanced coaching may apply their lessons to any form of communication such as community theater, reading in church, public speacking, etc.
Normal rate: $50/Hr.
People often confuse speaking with communicating, but effective communication is more than that, and goes far beyond merely the words that travel from mouth to ear. True and effective communication always has one purpose - to move thought.
Participants in the Biblical Voices workshops gain a sense of the tools of storytelling and theater- not as a way to become performers or actors-but to employ them in becoming an unselfed transparency for the ideas one is attempting to communicate. These workshops offer a unique opportunity for each participant to enrich his/her communications in all areas of life - whether from the platform in church, at testimony meetings, at work, at home, or anywhere.
Biblical Voices Immersion Communication Workshops are designed to improve the communication skills of participants. While the work we do is explicitly related to communication, participants are naturally engaged in their own demonstration of spiritual growth as they address the mental qualities expressed through their voice. A notebook is provided to support participants' work outside of class.
“The best spiritual type of Christly method for uplifting human thought and imparting divine Truth, is stationary power, stillness, and strength; and when this spiritual ideal is made our own, it becomes the model for human action.”
~Retrospection and Introspection, p. 93:13-16
Biblical Voices works with participants to bring out their own individual expression of three fundamental communication principles:
Both beginners and previously trained participants will practice the fundamentals of communication. These essential skills enable one to more effectively deliver on the first two principles:
Dr. Alex Cavalli will provide the vocal coaching, and an assistant will help provide technical support for participants and the workshop. Dr. Cavalli has been performing Biblical theater, including The Gospel According to St. John and Paul: Face to Face, for about 20 years around the U.S. He has taught many young actors how to vocally perform Shakespeare, including at The University of Texas Shakespeare at Winedale Festival. He is a member of First Church of Christ Scientist, Austin TX, a former First Reader, a technology consultant, and a frequent guest on CS Directory.com. Dr. Cavalli has a Ph.D. in Physics from Dartmouth College and has been a leader in Austin's technology community for more than 20 years.
“Alex taught me how to properly use my voice as a vocal instrument for speaking. It took me several in-person lessons to discover how to accomplish this. The discovery was transformative. I continued the lessons over Skype until I felt totally comfortable with my new, true voice. Now when I read during a service, there is no longer a self-consciousness about the reading. There is a natural ability to stay with the Word. No longer does the lack of understanding the vocal instrument, nor poor speaking habits, get in the way of the reading. This type of unselfed reading allows God';s Word to heal.”
“Perhaps an unexpected result of the workshop is that I read better - that is with more understanding - when I read to myself. I feel more of a connection with our Pastor. This connection with the material and understanding of it is, of course, necessary in order to read or speak the thought well. Ultimately, the work is listening, then expressing.”
“During the first week I could see an improvement in the way I read to patients as a Christian Science nurse. By speaking lower in my natural voice and paying attention to correct breathing and pronunciation, it became easier for the patients to hear and understand what I was reading, for which I am most grateful.”
“My personal opinion is that this is real vocal TRAINING at its best. It is working out speaking in a better way than we previously thought possible and using the “instrument of speech” more effectively.”
“Participating in the Bible Voices Workshop exercises and memorization and presenting of a Bible story helped me understand the underlying spiritual intent and metaphysical idea of the story.”
“It really was such fun and I can't remember when I have been in such a totally loving atmosphere.”
“After debating with myself for quite a while, I decided to register for the Biblical Voices Workshop, and having had the week's experience, I'm so glad I did. As a performer myself, I especially appreciated the metaphysical foundation in preparing a piece (in our case, an excerpt from Scripture, but it could be other material as well) for sharing with an audience. Furthermore, the review of proper breathing, clear enunciation, and vocal projection were helpful as well and can be used in many contexts in daily life. Alex, in his individualized work with each participant, found a way of helping us to deal with the particular challenges each of us faced. He was perceptive of individual needs and helped us tackle them with humor and insight. The week's workshop was a totally positive experience!”
“I just came because I wanted to learn to produce vocal sound properly. That simple. And what I learned was that, and so much more. It was a very humbling, yet uplifting, experience. By learning more about how to read and better communicate, I also learned how to listen better and more actively. In my case, I was learning so much, and feeling so much love and support, I just wanted to keep going....and growing. For me, Level One was where I gained greater comfort with the physical mechanics of proper breathing and sound production. Level Two built on this and expanded my awareness outside of myself. May all Readers commit to being the best they can be at it. This class supports that willingness, without any mental interference or interpretative influence. For a person who is not a Christian Scientist, this class gives an individual basic "tools" that they can put into their “communication toolbox” - ones they will use again and again.”
“Self-examination was a large part of it. I know that all that I have wanted in and for "my" life has turned out better with more unnoticeable worth that BV made me see. The little bit of what I became aware of in myself - [made me want] to explore it further [in 201]! This [class] is deeper b/c of the individuality and nature of its application to each one. I am aware that this course is not for everyone. One has to be ready for it. And the collective part of it is important. I know that I will hold these things learned in my heart and gratefully more than I can say share them with all who will love them as much as I do.”
“For years I have been a singer in large and small ensembles, and even had voice lessons. But I had never been able to conquer hoarseness after a rehearsal or concert. The freedom that came from learning to breath correctly is astonishing. Now I no longer come out of a rehearsal hoarse, and my voice has more power and strength. I learned so many traits of an effective speaker, including timing, genuineness, expression, pitch, love for audience and how to convey a true intention to communicate. We don't know how we sound to others. We think we do, but we don't. I discovered this in the workshop. Through the BV workshops I got an honest assessment of how my voice sounds to others, and learned that it is unnaturally high, strained, and actually gets in the way of the message I am trying to share. When I am able to eliminate these habits, the message is very compelling to my fellow classmates and they were very engaged in listening. It took a lot of humility and at times was difficult to unlearn things or see sticking points in ourselves overcome, but it really paid off in increased effectiveness as a speaker and leader.
I loved the spirit of learning from someone who not only had the talent and experience to teach, but also exuded genuine love for the students, and worked with great care, and with humility while being quite demanding of the students. After the 2nd one [class], I realized that I could make major progress if I practiced consciously what I'd been taught, and really embody it, and that I could do this and make this my new habit.
As Christian Science adults it's rare that we get to participate in something that enables us to love and support for each other individually in learning to be more effective. We pray for each other in church, and we work together on committees, but the BV workshops create a bond that combines our love of the Word with our love of humanity in a way that also builds us into more effective communicators. ...The workshop not only improved my ability to communicate the spoken word, it also helped me approach a business situation. Pondering Mary Baker Eddy's concept of "stationery stillness and power" -- a keystone of the workshop training -- helped me hold my ground peacefully in negotiations with a new client, and formed a solid and respectful foundation for our work together. Had it not been for that idea of stationery stillness and power, I would not have felt that unity and dominion in the conversation.
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