Enchanting the Land
The word enchant comes from the Latin incantare, meaning “to sing upon.” Across cultures and traditions, people have used song to connect with the land, express gratitude, and build a sense of belonging. I love this. How land considered enchanted has an active element of reciprocity from us humans - we would, and can, enchant the land though song. This course explores how our voices can deepen our connection - both outwardly, through singing with the landscape, and inwardly, by tuning into ourselves.
Sessions will include vocal meditations and mindful walking, deepening our awareness of the land and our place within it. We’ll explore how our voices can interact with the landscape - tuning into its rhythms, textures, and energies. We’ll develop confidence and tools for intuitive singing and learn new techniques and building blocks for song creation and vocal collaboration. This is a fun and playful exploration of voice, group singing and in-the-moment music making held with a no-pressure, supportive approach. We will tap into the innate wisdom of the voice - not just as a tool for communication, but as a source of wellbeing, presence, and creativity.
By tuning into our voices, we tune into the world around us. This course invites you to rediscover your voice as a bridge - between body and breath, self and other, human and land. Together, we’ll step into an ancient yet ever-present practice: singing upon the land, and allowing ourselves to tune into the songs that come back.
I am excited to have two guest practitioners who will join us to open and close this course.
Sam Finn will join us as our nature connection guide for our first session.
Eloise Minton will join us for our last session as our firekeeper.
Sam has a deep love for the natural world and helps others find confidence, strength, and presence through nature. She meets people where they are, guiding them to discover what excites and motivates them. Through gratitude, deep listening, and practical skills, she supports people in overcoming challenges, reconnecting with creativity, and building resilience.
With a background in sculpture, ecology, and conservation, Sam has worked with the National Trust and Sussex Wildlife Trust. A Forest School Leader, she has led nature experiences since 2012.
Nature supports Sam every day, and she’s passionate about helping others experience that connection for themselves.
Eloise is a firekeeper and leader in the emergent field of holding ceremonial fires at gatherings, festivals and conscious events. Her primary work is to be in service to the fire as a living spirit and teacher. She has led large teams of firekeepers to work cohesively with multiple ceremonial fires at events, such as Medicine festival and Solstice at The Mount and Equinox festival @ Wasing estate.
She is co-founder of The Living Fire collective who envision a world where Fire is a sacred center—where connection, reverence, healing, and transformation nurtures community and future generations. A world where storytelling, music, dance, and art spark inner growth, igniting a shared journey of renewal around the fire.
No experience is needed—this is a welcoming space where every voice has a place.
We’ll be working outdoors, so please wear suitable shoes and clothing for the weather, and bring a bottle of water. You may also want to bring something to sit on for when we are outside.
9 Sessions in 3 week blocks - Thursdays
24 Apr with guest, Sam Finn (Stanmer Park)
01 & 08 May (Preston Park)
6:30 - 8:30pm (earlier time due to sunset)
Break
22 & 29 May & 05 June (Preston Park)
7 - 9pm
Break
19 & 26 June (Preston Park)
03 July with guest, Eloise Minton (Stanmer)
7 - 9pm
9 sessions:
£175 (pay it forward)
£150 (general admission)
£125 (low income)
The base location in Stanmer Park will be The Ecomusicology Project, though we will mostly walk around the woodland. When you book you will receive information on an easy place to meet for the first session. From there I will remind everyone where to go week to week.
The location in Preston Park is the Tile House which home to Brighton Sound. You’ll find this cosy space nestled in the centre of the park, next to the Basketball courts.
FROM THE SOUTH: make your way through the rose garden, past Rotunda Cafe on right, through past the tennis courts and you will see it on your right.
FROM THE NORTH: pass Chalet cafe on your right, continue on the path and it is on the left.