Participants will experience the pleasure of singing folks songs from Eastern Europe and will also receive an introduction to the cultures from which the songs originate. Members of Svitanya will lead exercises to find your "folk voice" and then teach 2−3 simple songs representing different cultures and musical traditions. The workshop includes discussion of the meanings of the songs and their cultural context: translation, significance in rituals, and musical aspects including rhythms and harmonies particular to the culture. Sheet music with lyrics is provided.

"Folksong Workshop - Expanded" − a vocal session with dances and instruments

As the title implies, the vocal component of the workshop described immediately above is enhanced with the chance to try traditional dances which accompany the songs being learned. Participants who are instrumentalists can add further enhance their experience by playing along.

"Finding Our Voices Together" − a mother-daughter singing workshop

Eastern European folk music traditionally has been passed from mother to daughter, and the songs themselves often echo the intense emotions of the mother-daughter relationship. Svitanya has been fortunate over the years to include two mother-daughter pairs. This workshop was developed at the suggestion of one our fans, looking for an opportunity to sing with her young daughter, and will include learning one or two simple songs in two-part harmony, an explanation of what the songs mean and where they come from, and perhaps a little discussion about music, rhythms, and perhaps even our relationships!