Song of the Soul Retreats 2024

28TH MARCH - 1ST APRIL 2024 (SOLD OUT)
10TH MAY - 14TH MAY 2024 (NEW DATES)

Charlotte is thrilled to invite you to ‘Song of the Soul’, her new ground-breaking series of signature retreats at The Dreaming that blends research, ancient indigenous practises, and her personal experiences with sound to help you uncover your unique voice in the world.

From Charlotte…

Details

Curated and delivered by Charlotte herself and inspired by her own decades-long journey through voice and sound, she wants her life experience and work to empower you to discover your authentic self and what makes your soul sing.

Song of the Soul above all things, will help you remember that you are wild. By harnessing the resonance and healing power of your voice, we will lead you through a journey to discover the story of you, past, present, & future.

2024 DATES


28th March - 1st April (SOLD OUT)
10th May - 14th May (NEW DATES)

PRICING


Prices start from £800 for the entire retreat, head to our bookings page for info.

The Dreaming is set in a magical Welsh landscape. To be nurtured by my friend Charlotte Church’s powerful and entrancing voice in such a special place is mesmerising and nurturing.

- Luke Evans

Welsh Actor, Singer & Performer

Your Facilitators

  • Charlotte Church is an award-winning singer and composer, the founder of The Dreaming and its lead facilitator, and one of the most innovative and exciting sound- healers working in the world today.

    Inspired by her own journey as ‘The Voice of An Angel’, and later as a voice for political change where she held press and media to account on issues like phone hacking and invasion of privacy, emerging as a prominent anti-austerity activist who also used her voice to campaign against misogyny and sexism, Charlotte now wants her life experience and work to empower others in discovering their authentic selves, and to understand and harness the power of their own voice in the world.

    Although it took courage for Charlotte to speak out on many things, for a long time and for many reasons, she felt like she’d been hiding, to the point where her ability to re-write her soul and story felt out of reach.

    But through exploratory vocal practises, breath work and finding a deep connection to joy, she’s found her voice again and wants want to share these practises and knowledge with you, so you can start to explore what might be holding you back and gently guide those parts of you into the light, eventually discovering what makes your soul sing and what you want to give to the world.

    From her teenage years, Charlotte has understood the significant power of voice. Following the remarkable success of her debut album ‘Voice of an Angel’ at the age of 12, which garnered critical acclaim and commercial success, she found herself performing for Popes, Presidents, and Royalty across the globe. By 2007 she had sold 10 million albums worldwide and as she toured the world, collaborating with vocal giants like Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Josh Groban, and Usher, she realised the profound spiritual impact her music could have on people, deepening their connection to nature and inspiring a return to child-like curiosity and play. She now feels that she wants to return to this by harnessing all that she has learned to help others.

    “I have a very deep love for humanity, and it pains me to see what this tumultuous world is doing to people’s mental health and wellbeing. Whether through experiences like The Dreaming or song of the soul my goal is to equip people with tools they can take home, also empowering them to be healers in their own communities.

    This isn’t about singing and voice in a performance sense, and you don’t need to be a singer to take part. Singing and using your voice is a birth right and we use this to ask, ‘Who are we and what is our place and role in the world?’. Although it took courage for me to speak out on many things, for a long time I’d been hiding.

    Because I was being so observed, I felt I had to be contained so I could protect a lot of people, including myself, and so my ability to be vulnerable and to really re-write my soul and story felt totally out of reach. But through exploratory vocal practises, breath work and finding a deep connection to joy I’ve found my voice again. I want to share this knowledge and practises with other people, so we can start to explore what might be holding you back and gently guide those parts of you into the light, eventually discovering what makes your soul sing and what you want to give to the world.”

  • Deborah is an artist, writer, innovator, and trainee psychotherapist.

    She founded the critically acclaimed punk feminist choir Gaggle, writing and directing their album on Transgressive Records, as well as commissions from the Southbank Centre, ICA, National Portrait Gallery, Almeida Theatre and Channel 4.

    She was director and vocal arranger for artist Zoe Papadopoulou’s Welcome Trust commission Grief, working with bereaved performers in exploring their experiences of grief, performed at the Southbank.

    A major theme in Deborah’s work has been supporting unheard voices, from her time presenting and producing on Radio 4, to her book about women’s speeches called Outspoken.

    Deborah was also director for another Southbank commission from artist Tamsyn Challenger, Twitter Chorus, which featured hundreds of singers and non-singers, and was a site specific piece created in one day.

    “From sighing to singing I have seen the transformation collective noise making can have, from regulating heart beats and breathing, to galvanising whole communities. I passionately believe that everyone has a voice, and I know that many of us are holding back our voices through fear and lack of support, on Song of the Soul I want to give that support.”

Overview

The programme isn’t about singing and voice in a performance sense, and you don’t need to be a singer to take part. Singing and using your voice is a birth right and we use this tool to ask ‘Who are you and what is your place and role in the world?’.

By harnessing the resonance and healing power of your voice, we will lead you through a journey to discover the story of you, past, present, & future, empowering you to discover your own unique voice in the world. 

During your time at the ‘Song of The Soul’ retreat, nature will be a constant companion and source of inspiration with practices like 'Singing to the Land’ and crafting with natural materials, drawing from the ancient practices of our ancestors so we re-connect with who we are and where we are from.

But It’s not all deep diving into your soul and navigating emotional seas! Charlotte being Charlotte, you can also expect a ton of fun as you belt out power ballads at night and join her for silent discos at dawn, even creating your own music. 

It’s important to stress again that this retreat is for EVERYONE, singers, and non-singers alike. You do not have to be a musician to unlock the power of your voice.

This unique offering is a significant addition to The Dreaming and is inspired by research that shows the profound impact breath work and sound healing can have on emotional and physical health, along with powerful and ancient indigenous practices that reconnect with the land, nature, community, roots, and song.  

‘Song of the Soul' is a culmination of Charlotte’s life’s work, and we look forward to sharing this transformative programme with you which is open to anyone who wants to feel empowered, loved and rooted in themselves.

I knew my time at The Dreaming would be a wonderful break in stunning surroundings but I was not prepared for it to be life changing. Charlotte is a world class facilitator who delivers meaningful healing with humour, grace and compassion. Her empathy shines through and I felt honoured to watch people take leaps forward in their personal journeys that would take years elsewhere. You leave The Dreaming wondering, "Was I dreaming?" but thankfully, it's all real.

- Kiri Pritchard McLean

Comedian, Writer & Former Artist in Residence

Accommodation

Luxurious rooms with modern amenities awaits you, each designed by award winning designers to provide comfort and tranquility.

Each rooms interior reflect our passion for other cultures. Natural materials and tactile draping create den-like spaces, whilst original floorboards and textured walls give coherence and a cosseting feel to the seven rooms, each with its own distinct name and character.

The essence of connection thrives through our shared rooms. Our distinctive approach assigns beds individually rather than by room, encouraging interactions with fellow guests. Embracing shared living is ingrained in The Dreaming values, creating an environment where meaningful bonds flourish.

Should you prefer solitude, we offer an option that allows you to book one of our rooms to yourself.

Location

Nestled in the heart of the Elan Valley, Wales. Our retreat offers a serene and rejuvenating environment, away from busy work life, whatever the weather.

Sing to the Land

Here, you become the melody, a gentle resonance that harmonizes with the spirit of the earth. It's not about hitting the perfect notes; it's about letting your voice merge with the unseen energies of the woods. Close your eyes and let the music of your soul dance with the rustling leaves and murmurs of the wind. Sing to the land, and in that mystical moment, become one with the sacred symphony of nature.

Book your place.