An experiential journey into sound, presence, and collective expression through polyphonic song.
What to expect:
During this week-long retreat—held in the magical nature of Pelion —we will gather in a space of acceptance, encouragement, and deep listening.
Together we will experience the transformative power of group singing: learning traditional polyphonic songs, creating our own, and tuning our individual voices into the sound of the whole. We will work with breath, body, and one another, exploring the voice and the wide range of sounds that emerge naturally through presence and attentive listening.
Through experiential exercises, playful interaction, and guidance from our vocal and movement impulses, we will improvise collectively—observing how our sound is shaped by both the outer environment and our inner emotional landscape. We will allow even the unknown parts of our voice to surface. We will celebrate the voice we were born with!
All voices are welcome. No previous experience required.
This is the third time we return to the enchanting landscapes of Pelion to sing together for a full week—exploring our sound, our voice, and the ways they resonate within and around us.
The voice becomes a means of communication and expression, a vibration that reflects the heart’s truth and connects us to creativity and the joy of life. More than just a workshop. More than a holiday.
This retreat is a unique opportunity to connect more deeply with your voice and explore different aspects of yourself within a supportive, nurturing environment. By learning to coexist through a living sense of collectivity, we open our wings toward a freer voice.
“By singing, and by using the heart as our drum, we perform acts of mystery that awaken layers of the soul. We never know which beat or which song is meant for whom, for the openings created in each of us are unique and entirely new. But surely whatever they stir will be numinous and magnetic.”
— Clarissa Pinkola Estés
Daily rhythm:
07:00 Yoga, meditation, or other practice (depending on facilitator availability)
08:00 Buffet breakfast
09:30 Daily staff operational meeting (Community Circle on the first full day)
09:30–13:30 Voice and Polyphony: Awakening the Sound, Weaving the Song (with a coffee/tea break )
13:30 Buffet lunch & picnic boxes for the beach
14:30–17:30 Beach / free time
18:00 Evening work shift (supporting dinner preparation)
18:00–20:00 Ad-hoc offerings depending on availability of facilitators
20:00 Dinner (one evening at a local taverna)
21:30 Free time & spontaneous offerings (closing circle / fireside sharing on the last evening)
23:00 Quiet time until breakfast
About the community:
More than just a retreat centre, Kalikalos is a seasonal international community for living, working, and playing together.
Grounded in the practice of the Sharing Circle, the community collaborates in the rhythm of a healthy, holistic, vegetarian lifestyle. In this way, the entire community becomes the container for the transformational learning experience of our workshops.
Practical information:
Languages: Greek & English (translation available)
No prior experience in music, singing, or group work required
Group size: Maximum 15 participants (early registration recommended; waiting list available)
The nearest airports are Nea Anchialos (Volos – VOL) and Skiathos (JSI). Thessaloniki (SKG) is an additional international option with more frequent connections. From Volos, Pelion can be reached by bus, taxi, or car. Detailed travel instructions are available on the Kalikalos “Getting Here” page.
Accommodation is shared and simple, with all vegetarian meals included. The retreat takes place within a residential international community, and participants are invited to take part in light daily shared tasks.
Please contact us if you have specific access or dietary needs.
For more information:
Anni Ntoumouzi – +30 6938123144
polyphoniclab.an@gmail.com
More about Anni:
Anni Ntoumouzi is a graduate of the Music School of Thessaloniki and trained as a professional actress, a field in which she has been actively working for several years. She has collaborated with numerous theater groups and venues across Greece, including the National Theatre of Northern Greece.
Her artistic path is deeply rooted in the interplay between voice, body, and expression. She has studied vocal practices and music therapy through specialized programs at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (“The Voice in Song” and “Music Therapy: Theoretical Approaches, Practical Applications, and Experiential Exercises”).
Since 2020, she has been a member of the UK-based Natural Voice Network (NVN), embracing its philosophy that singing is a natural, embodied, and accessible human right. She facilitates voice and theater-based workshops for children and adults alike.
For over a decade, she has been deeply engaged in the exploration of traditional and polyphonic songs from diverse cultures, with a focus on body-centered approaches to vocal expression. She leads annual workshops and experiential summer intensives on polyphonic and traditional singing, weaving together somatic awareness, improvisation, and vocal resonance. She is also currently training in sound healing with Tibetan singing bowls and in energy-based therapeutic modalities.
Anni has taken part in numerous seminars on voice, polyphonic traditions, and performance practices, studying with teachers from around the world. Her ongoing vocal training continues with soprano Valia Mavridou. She was also an active member of various choirs for over 13 years. She has collaborated and performed with polyphonic groups such as Apotheri (focused on Greek polyphony), Fones (polyphonic songs from around the world), and Dioni (polyphonic songs of Epirus), participating in concerts both in Greece and abroad.
