Chiara Cortez
Teacher, lyricist, vocal improviser, promoter and facilitator of circlesinging and Nonviolent Empathic Communication. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Stanford University in California, during which time she also gained experience as a singer and arranger in the world music a cappella group "Talisman", a cappella group of world music with whom she has won a CARA award. In Italy, her musical journey began with 10 years’ private study of the violin as an instrument. She then studied jazz singing with Susanna Stivali at Saint Louis College of Music and sang for 11 years with the female vocal ensemble "The Sessions Voices", with whom she recorded two albums, "Songs of Freedom" (2011) and "Tender You Back"(2017). As a songwriter in collaboration with Maurizio Filardo, she has written and sang for the soundtracks of various films and TV series (“Beata Ignoranza”, “The Place”, “Non ci resta che il Crimine”, “Domani è Un’Altro Giorno”, “Immaturi”, "I Migliori Giorni"). She discovered the world of circlesinging and Vocal River (Rhiannon’s forms of collaborative vocal improvisation) and has been studying these disciplines, traveling to train with masters in the field and to research various styles and approaches. Among the trainings she has completed are: Rhiannon's annual masterclass on vocal improvisation “All The Way In” (2017), Música Do Círculo’s annual training for leaders in São Paulo, Brazil (2022-2023) and she has attended Bobby McFerrin's Circlesongs School (2016, 2018, 2022). She is a founding member of the vocal improvisation collective led by Rhiannon, whose name "The Well" was given by Bobby McFerrin, and the Italian group Collettivo CantinCerchio. She facilitates regular circlesinging gatherings and teaches courses and workshops on circlesinging (circular singing) and vocal improvisation practices. She was an original faculty member of the French festival Le Cercle Enchanté. She took part in the Vocal River Murmurations project that premiered in Montreal, Canada, in October 2023, under the artistic direction of Rhiannon and Margie Gillis. She has been studying and practicing Nonviolent Communication since 2017, training with and assisting various trainers, mainly with Yoram Mosenzon's Connecting2Life school and community, and is constantly looking for ways to combine Empathy with collective music improvisation practices. Chiara is co-founder of the "Circlesinging Roma" initiative, the first open circlesinging community in the Italian capital, active since 2015, and Circlesinging Roma's improvised performance project V.O.P.P. (Vocal Open Portal Project) alongside colleagues Cristina D'Arcangelo, Daphne Nisi and Susanna Stivali.
Murmuration Workshop: A Fusion of Improvised Sound and Movement
2-Part Vocal and Movement Laboratory with Chiara Cortez (inspired by the work of Rhiannon and Margie Gillis)
Inspired by the fluid, interconnected flight of starlings, The Murmuration Project is an immersive exploration of collective creativity through improvised sound and movement. Rooted in the Vocal River methodology of vocal improvisation developed by master teacher Rhiannon, this laboratory invites participants into a shared leadership model where music and movement emerge organically, intuitively, and in deep connection with one another.
Building on the powerful work initiated by Rhiannon and solo dance icon Margie Gillis during the 2023 Montreal intensive, this 2-part lab explores how we can attune to each other’s impulses in voice in combination with movement —layering rhythm, harmony, texture, language, and gesture into a seamless flow. Participants will investigate how to move as one body, sing as one voice, and cultivate the group mind that allows for spontaneous and expressive ensemble performance.
Led by Chiara Cortez, one of the original “Montreal 28” who debuted The Murmuration Project in its premiere, this workshop approaches the work through a fresh lens—prioritizing unison, synchronization, deep listening, and the exploration of physical and mental states that support collective flow. Each session builds progressively, guiding participants into the heart of ensemble improvisation through voice, body, and creative trust.
No movement or vocal improvisation experience is required—just a willingness to listen, move, and create in community.
Ciao Cristina come stai
