Voice and Somatic (Mind/Body) Training for people with Parkinson’s

We have been working on the development of a unique format for new weekly classes, which will deliver an enjoyable and effective mix of therapeutic physical and vocal production exercises, as well as building the confidence to participate in some uplifting group singing. As part of each session, group members will be invited to suggest songs they particularly love, from any genre.  Sarah and Jo will lead the singing with Piano, Guitar or Piano Accordion accompaniment. From time to time we may invite guest musicians to join in the fun! Each class will end with some social time with tea, coffee and cake. The name ‘VAST UK!’ reflects the overall aims and ethos of the training; to encourage and develop the expansion of mind, body and voice.

Sarah has been working with Bristol Parkinson’s teaching Tai Chi and Qigong for many years. During the 2020 lockdown, in person classes stopped and Sarah began teaching online, which meant being creative and diversifying.  One Parkinson’s patient was having great difficulty with speech and in particular with volume, and it was becoming progressively worse - with the patient slowly ‘disappearing’ into himself. Sarah decided to try a different approach; alongside the qigong exercises she asked the patient to pick a song he particularly loved. Having worked professionally as a singer, Sarah felt that singing would be a great way to encourage and support this person with their voice. Not only did the patient begin to speak noticeably louder and with more clarity; his mood changed significantly and the lessons became a joyful thing for both parties. This became the seed of an idea to run classes that could encompass Qigong sound techniques, therapeutic breathing and posture exercises with singing and voice production. Sarah researched the Lee Silverman technique and quickly realised that she was on the right track. Sarah knew just the person to collaborate with for these new classes – her close friend and colleague of over thirty years.

Jo Levine is a qualified and experienced Music Therapist (MA Music Therapy with Distinction, Roehampton University) and is registered with the Health Professions Council. Her clinical experience includes work in a wide variety of settings: with people with acute mental health conditions, and also with adults, children and young adults with autism, physical disabilities, profound learning disabilities and challenging behaviour.

Since graduating with a BA Hons in Music in 1995, Jo has also taught Piano and Piano Accordion, as a freelance tutor in her own studio, in high profile school music departments, Music Services, and at Bath University.

As a performer, Jo has played Piano Accordion with various bands, most recently with ‘Hazir’, playing folk and classical music from Turkey, the Balkans, South West Asia and North Africa - and in the exciting outdoor family-friendly music and dance show, ‘Chalguh Chengi’; supported by Arts Council England. Performances over the past 20 years include appearances at many festivals including WOMAD and Glastonbury.

Sarah Bartlett is a Tai Chi and Qigong Instructor and health professional.  She has run a successful private teaching practice and clinic for twenty two years and regularly gives seminars and runs courses and retreats for people who wish to learn skilful techniques for personal development, health and wellbeing. 

Sarah began studying Tai Chi thirty one years ago, and later became a dedicated student of internationally renowned Tai Chi Grandmaster Dr Shen Hongxun, for over fifteen years until his death in 2011.   Studying closely with Dr Shen in Europe and the UK, Sarah received permission to teach his Qigong self-healing practice and qualified as a Buqi therapist in 2001

In addition to her private practice, Sarah has worked for Bristol Mind, Barleywood House Drug and alcohol rehabilitation programme, with young people (5-18 years), St Paul’s women’s Refuge Centre, Age UK, St John’s hospital, Bath, in schools for teachers, and with Bristol Parkinson’s for many years.  Sarah has recently been asked to be filmed for the Tai Chi Federation of Germany’s ‘Treasures of Knowledge ’series.

Sarah began her musical life singing in the church choir and studying classical piano. She grew up to enjoy music from a very wide variety of genres, studying jazz clarinet and singing professionally with various musicians over the years including Pee Wee Ellis (James Brown’s band), musicians from Black Roots, Talisman and Jungle Red and with some of the top Jazz and Soul session musicians in Bristol.

 CLASSES RETURN FROM SUMMER BREAK ON WED.  16TH  AUGUST.