Circle Singing & Improvisation

© photos: Bernd Blome

Humans make music

Do you long to sing together – in harmony, with vitality and a sense of playfulness? To get to know your voice and your music – authentically, in a versatile and free way? To expand your musical abilities – in a relaxed, exploratory and humorous way? Within each and every one of us lies a unique treasure trove of precious music. I offer a safe space in which to tap into this hidden source through vocal improvisation in a gentle and playful way.

For a long time, I didn’t have the confidence to sing in front of other people. And I thought that improvising was something only musical geniuses could do. With supportive guidance, I faced up to my fears. And you can do it too!

Along the way, I found my voice as my instrument and discovered improvisation as a vibrant way of making music together. Today, I pass on my own experiences to others. Through experts both at home and abroad, I have learnt about inspiring methodological approaches that provide me with a solid toolkit for this guidance. Take a look at my music education programmes in Berlin and Potsdam. In workshops, ongoing courses and one-to-one sessions, you can set your own focus: sometimes the emphasis is on the shared experience of music, sometimes on vocal expression, and sometimes on musical development.

Discover the benefits of singing

The positive qualities of music and singing have always been valued and utilised across all cultures around the world. Vocal improvisation offers you a wide range of opportunities to gain new experiences and to grow vocally, musically and personally.

Rediscover music as a shared experience

Improvised singing strengthens the sense of community by enabling us to create an immediate, unifying sound experience through mindful listening, responding to one another and co-creative expression. In a process of dialogue, ‘I’ and ‘you’ become ‘we’.

Unleash Your Voice

With both feet rooted firmly in the earth, we express ourselves creatively. Every voice is given space and is heard and supported by the group in its uniqueness. The voice unfolds, and our expression is expanded and refined.

Embody the voice within you

Improvisation fosters musical development in an experience-based and holistic way: we move in unison, explore sound in the space, shape expression in different styles, and experience polyphonic singing as a physical experience.

These methods await you

Many people long to express themselves through their voices and to experience music as part of a community. Through numerous workshops on vocal and dance improvisation both at home and abroad, years of research with my improv ensemble Mahali, and my teaching experience in various contexts (for example, as a lecturer at the European Theatre Institute in Berlin, coaching choirs and in adult education), I have built up a well-stocked toolbox. With this, I’ll guide you competently and sensitively through your vocal and musical development. Circle Songs play a special role in my work with groups. This is a playful way of making music together, made famous by Bobby McFerrin. Without sheet music, we create unique music in the moment during this guided group improvisation. Anyone who wishes to can practise leading the group, take a solo or sing along. With the Brazilian ‘Música do Círculo’ method, you’ll experience being part of a creative musical community that shares values such as diversity, collaboration, light-heartedness and authentic expression. In ‘Flows’, I guide the group on a musical journey of discovery.

A space for anyone who wants to try something new and sound authentic

My sessions are suitable for everyone, whether or not you have previous experience with voice work and improvisation. This is the right place for you if you:

  • fancy trying something new
  • want to get to know your own music and your voice
  • want to overcome vocal and/or musical inhibitions
  • want to experience deep, human encounters
  • want to explore music co-creatively with others
  • enjoy singing and making music, or long to do so
Get in touch
Circlesinging Matthias Blessing Berlin Potsdam Foto Matthias Blessing singend

From individual lessons to retreats: current offers

Let’s delve deeper into the world of music together. Through intensive one-to-one lessons, weekly courses, one-day workshops at the VHS Potsdam or a week-long retreat held once a year, you’ll find the ideal setting for your musical and vocal development,

In my events calendar, you can see all the latest dates at a glance and sort my current events by date.

Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner: for most of the sessions, there are no prerequisites, as the focus here is on sharing the experience together. Some sessions are more in-depth in nature and can therefore only be booked once you’ve gained some experience with me and my work. Others are aimed at experienced singers, as the focus here is on musical and artistic expression. Please get in touch if you have any questions.

Description

Are you looking for an authentic and competent companion to develop your vocal, musical or personal skills? Vocal improvisation offers a versatile framework for this. Arrange a trial lesson and get to know my comprehensive offerings. Together, we will find out what your needs are and set a focus.

Suitable for:

  • You'd like to sing, but you don't dare to (because, like so many children, you once heard that you were unmusical and didn't have a nice voice, etc.)
  • You want to get to know and develop your voice better (range, timbre, intonation, etc.).
  • You'd like to make music with others and express yourself through music, but you haven't found the right way in yet.
  •  You would like to work on musical themes (solo arrangement, rhythm, timing, music theory, etc.)
  • You write music yourself and wish for new inspiration for your compositions

Participation fee

  • Single lesson à 60 min: €55 – €85 
  • Trial lesson: €30 or
  •  3-visit introductory card: €120

Call me or email me if you have any questions about specific content.

Date

Mondays in Potsdam West
Fridays from 3 PM in Berlin Tempelhof, near Platz der Luftbrücke
By appointment online

Number of participants

Individual offer

Venue / Directions

ResonanzRaum Potsdam, Zimmerstrasse 12 B (Potsdam West)
Burgherrenstraße 11, Berlin-Tempelhof (near U Platz der Luftbrücke)

Let's sing together in Berlin and Potsdam!

Description

Everyone sings, stomps and sways – together we create unique music in a circle! Through body percussion, circle songs and free vocalisation, you’ll experience music as part of a community. Come along and sing with us! Unlike most choirs – here we make music in the moment. Using everything our bodies have to offer! And all without sheet music, improvised and a cappella! By the way, circle songs are a wonderfully playful way of making music together, made famous by Bobby McFerrin. Without sheet music, we co-create unique music in the moment during this guided group improvisation. And don’t worry: nothing and no one has to do anything – everything is optional! This video gives a much better impression than words ever could.

Suitable for:

Regardless of how much or how little prior experience you bring, every voice is welcome. Because here, music and human connection are the focus.

Participation fee

  • per evening: €2 - €20 by self-assessment in cash
  • monthly with regular attendance: €10 – €60 by self-assessment via bank transfer

Date

Tuesdays, 18:30 – 20:30

 The 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesday of the month is usually open for new voices. Please sign in, if it's your first time.

On the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, the session is reserved for people who have attended at least twice before.

You can find current dates in my Events diary.

Number of participants

Maximum 40

Venue / Directions

freiLand Potsdam, Friedrich-Engels-Straße 22, 14473 Potsdam, Germany
House 1, 1st Floor, Theatre Room at the end of the corridor

Let's sing together in Berlin and Potsdam!

Description

We all carry a wonderful, natural instrument within us – our voice! The group and a welcoming atmosphere help us to overcome inhibitions and get into uninhibited play. In this way, we come into ever closer contact with another treasure that we carry within us: our own music!
Together with Cornelia Voss (Holistic Voice Coaching) I offer various ways to immerse yourself in the world of group voice improvisation.

How do we sound as a group today? Wild, tender, rough, floral, blue? Harmonious or chaotic? Anything goes, nothing is set in stone!

Depending on the group size, prior experience, and the needs of those present, we'll shape the content spontaneously and use various game formats, from free vocalisation and guided circle songs to an open session. Please bring clothing suitable for movement, warm socks, and drinks.

Feel free to connect with me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). Simply click on the respective logo at the bottom of the page.

Suitable for:

This group is intended as an open meeting place for voice improvisation in all its facets and for all levels.

You can get a taste of our world of vocal improvisation here and gain initial experience under careful guidance. If you are an experienced person, you have the opportunity to try things out, be inspired by new voices, and simply deepen your practice.

Participation fee

  • per evening: €15 – €25 by self-assessment in cash

Binding Registration desired

Date

Every second Thursday, usually on the 1st and 3rd of the month (2026)
18:30 – 20:30

Current dates are in Calendar to be found.

Number of participants

Max. 15 

Venue / Directions

Buchholzer Str. 16, 10437 Berlin
The entrance to the room at Buchholzer Strasse 16 is on the corner of Buchholzer and Greifenhagener Strasse.

Description

This group sees itself as an advanced course. Through shared experience, mutual trust grows, the group offers stability and support on the individual journey to greater vocal freedom and a wider range of musical expression.
With a clear focus on the music, personal development themes always play an important role in vocal work too (How much space do I take up? Which aspects of my personality are allowed to show? Can I follow and lead?).

Depending on the wishes of the participants, the following topics can be prioritised in phases from an almost inexhaustible pool of subjects:

  • Timbre, noises and fantasy languages
  • Play with the spatial sound
  • Exploration and integration of adjacent forms of expression such as movement, dance, body percussion, and poetry/storytelling 
  • Harmony: singing different modes or through cadences, polyphony, etc.
  • Rhythms: unusual time signatures (e.g. 3/4, 5/4), varying tempos, polyrhythms, etc.
  • Means of expression: dynamics, phrasing, pauses, form
  • Style Studies: From Baroque to Reggae, from Raga to Rap
  • Sources of inspiration: Nature, feelings, body awareness, images, objects
  • Solo, Duo, Trio
  • Dedicated improvisations 
  • Voice training

Please bring clothing suitable for movement, warm socks, and drinks.

Suitable for:

This is the right place for you if you have at least some initial experience in vocal improvisation and have experience with basic musical fundamentals (singing back notes, keeping tempo, etc.).
If you are interested in joining the closed group, please first come along to the introductory session in the Open group (usually on the 1st and 3rd Thursday) come.

Participation fee

  • Monthly contribution of €45 – €75 by bank transfer (participation in the Open Group included)

Date

Every other Thursday, usually on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month
18:30 – 20:30

Current dates are in Calendar to be found.

Number of participants

Max 12

Venue / Directions

Buchholzer Str. 16, 10437 Berlin
The entrance to the room at Buchholzer Strasse 16 is on the corner of Buchholzer and Greifenhagener Strasse.

Would you like to join in for open-air singing in Berlin and Potsdam? In Events Calendar meiner Website erhälst Du weitere Informationen. Spannende Inhalte und aktuelle Hinweise auf events in Berlin und Potsdam 2026 und 2027 erhälst Du außerdem über meinen Newsletter. Zum Abonnieren klicke einfach auf das Logo „Sei dabei“ am Ende der Seite.

Description

One-day workshop at VHS Potsdam

Many people would like to sing, but don't dare to. In a safe environment, we gather new vocal experiences. Improvisation offers gentle possibilities for this: Beyond right and wrong, we listen within ourselves, play without pressure to perform, and vocalise without notes. Depending on the group's interest and mood, different thematic focuses can be set.

Suitable for:

No prior experience is necessary.

Participation fee

€ 39.20 / reduced € 33.40
Registration via VHS Potsdam

Date

Saturday, 09:30 – 16:00

Current dates are in Calendar to be found.

Number of participants

Max 12

Venue / Directions

VHS at the Bildungsforum
On the canal 47, 14467 Potsdam
Happy to connect with you on social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). Simply click on the respective logo at the bottom of the page.

Let's sing together in Berlin and Potsdam!

Description

One-day workshop at VHS Potsdam

On this day of human connection, we playfully make music with our bodies. We clap and dance to the rhythm, we listen and make sounds. Simple musical games help us connect and discover our own music. Beyond right and wrong, unique music resounds. Come and sing along: every voice is welcome.

Suitable for:

No prior experience is necessary.

Participation fee

€ 39.20 / reduced € 33.40
Registration via the VHS Potsdam

Date

Saturday, 09:30 – 16:00

Current dates are in Calendar to be found.

Number of participants

Max. 24

Venue / Directions

VHS at the Bildungsforum
On the canal 47, 14467 Potsdam

Fancy some open mic singing in Berlin and Potsdam? Feel free to connect with me on social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). Simply click on the respective logo at the bottom of the page.

Description

Approximately every six weeks, we, as an improv ensemble, invite Location musical and vocally accomplished guests to practise Circle Songs with more voices and energy.
Location, these are 10 singers from Berlin who have been practising the art of vocal improvisation every Friday for many years. Until 2018, we were coached as a practice group by Johanna Seiler. By Circle Songs, we mean guided, pattern-based vocal improvisations in the tradition of Bobby McFerrin. If this is new to you, you will get in this Video A small impression.

Those who wish can practice leading Circle Songs and improvising.
Depending on current interests, we place different emphasis on harmony, timbre, rhythm, irregular time signatures, the integration of body percussion, movement, language, etc.

Suitable for:

You are very welcome if you meet the following criteria:

  • Intonation: You can sing cleanly in all registers and hold your own confidently in multi-part contexts.
  • Rhythm: You can accurately transcribe complex rhythms and maintain tempo.
  • Stimulus modulation: You can dynamically adjust to other voices and their timbre.
  • Experience in improvisation is welcome but not essential; the main thing is that you are open to new things.

If you are unsure, we don't know each other yet or you have any questions, please take Contact on.

Participation fee

  • Pro session: €5-10 by self-assessment, payable in cash

Date

Friday, 10:15 AM – 12:30 PM

Current dates are in Calendar to be found.

Venue / Directions

Haus Lebenskunst Berlin (U Mehringdamm)
Mehringdamm 32-34
10961 Berlin
Please ring the bell at the gate to the second courtyard, then go right in the entranceway 4 to the 5th floor.
Warm socks are recommended in cool temperatures.

Would you fancy singing together in Berlin and Potsdam?
Happy to connect with you on social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). Simply click on the respective logo at the bottom of the page. 

Description

The monthly session for Circlesongs and vocal improvisation 

Hosted by Qwigo Baldwin and Matthias Blessing 

 What music can we bring to life together? Sing with us and experience a musical encounter in motion. In this session, Matthias and Qwigo offer a safe space to dive into the world of vocal improvisation together. We discover our bodies as instruments: clapping, stamping and snapping, a rhythm emerges, we sing melodies, patterns and harmonies. Beyond right and wrong, we create lively music of the moment.

There will continue to be focal points, For example, an inspiring improv concert with fellow musicians to open the evening. Or experienced guests from the Circlesongs and Música do Círculo community can co-create the session with Qwigo and Matthias.

 

Suitable for:

All voices are welcome, with and without prior experience. Because here, music and human connection are the focus.

Everyone can get involved creatively, more or less, according to their desires and prior experience: by soloing, inventing patterns, or even leading a circlesong.

Participation fee

  • Session fee: €15-25, self-assessed, payable in cash or by bank transfer

Date

On the second Friday of the month from 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Current dates are in Calendar to be found.

Venue / Directions

What music can we bring to life together? Sing with us and experience a musical encounter in motion. In this session, Matthias and Qwigo offer a safe space to immerse ourselves together in the world of vocal improvisation. We’ll discover our bodies as instruments: clapping, stamping and snapping our fingers to create a rhythm; we’ll sing melodies, patterns and harmonies. Beyond the concepts of right and wrong, we’ll create vibrant, spontaneous music in the moment. There’ll be regular highlights, such as an inspiring improv concert with fellow musicians to kick off the evening. Or experienced guests from the Circlesongs community or the Música do Círculo world will lead the session together with Qwigo and Matthias.

2nd backyard, 2nd entrance, 3rd floor, 10961 Berlin

Would you fancy singing together in Berlin and Potsdam?
Happy to connect with you on social media (Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). Simply click on the respective logo at the bottom of the page. 

Description

Come along and sing with us! Together we'll dive into the world of vocal improvisation (circle songs, free improvisations, body music and musical group games)! Everyone can join in spontaneously without prior experience and get carried away by the groove. Listeners are also warmly welcome.

Here we don't sing ordinary songs, but Circle Songs! This is a wonderfully playful way of making music together, made famous by Bobby McFerrin. Without sheet music, this guided group improvisation creates unique music from the moment. And don't worry: nothing and nobody has to, everything can! The following video gives a vivid impression better than words can: youtube.com/watch?v=WZoJdsnofG4

Chant pour tous is inspired by the flourishing French vocal improvisation community. Under the name chant pour tous (singing for everyone), free events are organised there,

  • to which everyone (including the shy, etc.) is welcome
  • where 100% vocal and physical music (without instruments) is performed
  • where only improvised music is sung (neither composed songs nor canons, etc.)
  • which do not cost to enter

And the special thing is: anyone can organise such an event themselves, receives supporting materials, and can register the event on the website. Everyone can join in singing, all you need is enthusiasm!

Suitable for:

Regardless of how much or how little prior experience you bring, every voice is welcome. Because here, music and human connection are the focus.

Participation fee

Free entry, donations welcome

Date

There are currently no Events planned.

Venue / Directions

See Events Calendar

Would you fancy singing together in Berlin and Potsdam?
Im Veranstaltungskalender meiner Website erhälst Du weitere Informationen. Spannende Inhalte und aktuelle Hinweise auf events in Berlin und Potsdam 2026 und 2027 erhälst Du außerdem über meinen Newsletter. Zum Abonnieren klicke einfach auf das Logo „Sei dabei“ am Ende der Seite. Komm‘ und sing mit uns!

Description

HuMM (Humans Making Music) is an immersive retreat in collective music creation with Gaël Aubrit, Matthias Blessing, Annalena Doss und Will Zumba.

Through Circle Singing, Música do Círculo, vocal improvisation, body percussion, movement and deep listening, participants learn practical tools for creating music in the moment—together.

We believe that every human being is musical, and that making music together can become a powerful way to connect, express, listen and belong.

Through playful exploration, skill-building and shared musical experiences, we create a temporary community where music emerges from the group itself.

In this retreat Gaël Aubrit, Matthias Blessing, Annalena Doss and Will Zumba will combine their facilitations skills and experience to offer you a wonderful musical journey

Starting on June 4th with a delicious dinner we’ll dive until June 9th in this world of musical explorations with the diverse facilitators in the team and especially with each other, since human connection is an important part of the Música do Círculo approach.

The retreat will be held in German and English.

We hope to sing with you next June!

Annalena, Matthias, Will and Gaël

Suitable for:

HuMM welcomes both beginners and experienced musicians. The focus is not performance or perfection, but curiosity, presence and collective creativity.

Participation fee

We offer a range of prices that depends on when you book and the type of accommodation you choose: camping, shared room, double room or single room.

Here are some examples:

SUPER EARLY-BIRD: 739-€ (for a shared room), until 11.09.26! The best chance!

EARLY-BIRD:799-€ (for a shared room), until 24.12.26.

REGULAR: 849-€ (for a shared room), until 04.03.27.

LAST SPOTS: 949-€ (for a double room), until the retreat date

All the prices include full board, lodging and activities!

Weitere Infos und Buchung ab dem 21.08.2026 

Date

04.06.2027 - 09.06.2027. arrival 04.06.2027 around 15:00 and 17:00 seminar starts 20:00 departure 09.06.2027 around 14:00

Number of participants

Minimum: 25

Maximum: 45

Venue / Directions

Finkenwerder Hof

Finkenwerder 13-14
19399 Goldberg

Im Events Calendar meiner Website erhälst Du weitere Informationen. Spannende Inhalte und aktuelle Hinweise auf events in Berlin und Potsdam 2026 und 2027 erhälst Du außerdem über meinen Newsletter. Zum Abonnieren klicke einfach auf das Logo „Sei dabei“ am Ende der Seite

Insight: This is what improvised music sounds like in a circle

Circle Singing is a special way of singing together. One person leads the group and creates an improvised piece of music on the spot. It is based on short melodies or rhythms that are repeated continuously: a spontaneous composition that offers a unique insight into the musical world of the person leading the session.

Every person has the opportunity to step into the centre. All participants are equal parts of the circle and are recognised and valued for their individuality. This reminds me of the concept of ‘individualised communities’ discussed by the neurobiologist Gerald Hüther.

The crucial thing is that we feel comfortable.

At the start, I invite participants to focus on a playful adventure journey to allow. „There is nothing to achieve. Let's explore what music we can create as a group in this moment.“ I often lead exercises non-verbal Perhaps you will be confused at times and won't immediately understand what I mean. That's fine and it's the same for me. All I'm suggesting is Invitations. You can accept or reject them, take breaks, or customise.

„Find yourself a space in the room where You feeling comfortable. Take a moment to feel your body. Where do you feel the Ground contact, Where do you get your movement from Breathing True? Now direct your attention to the Listen What sounds do you perceive in your environment? Can you also perceive distant and very close phenomena, for example your own breathing? Wahrnehmungs­übungen how this we finally find in the free ringing in the vocal expression.

Gruppe beim gemeinsam Singen in Berlin mit Matthias Blessing
Gemeinsam Singen in Berlin mit Matthias Blessing
Matthias Blessing beim Circle Song Workshop
Matthias Blessing leitet Gruppe an Offenes Singen Berlin
Gruppe beim Offenen Singen Berlin mit Matthias Blessing
"Beyond right and wrong, there is a place where we sing together!

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FAQs: Things to know about Circlesongs

Here you will find information and facts about Circle Songs and vocal improvisation.

Collaboratively created soundscapes

Circlessongs are a special form of improvised singing, where music is created in real-time from the moment and built up through the interplay of multiple voices. The term was primarily popularized by the American singer and vocal acrobat Bobby McFerrin influenced, who made this practice popular in the 1990s. Circlesongs are not fixed compositions, but spontaneous, collaboratively created sound structures based on repetition, variation, and interaction. The principle is simple, but musically and socially extremely rich: a facilitating person stands in the center of a circle of singers and begins to improvise a short rhythmic-melodic motif. This motif is repeated by a group, creating a kind of vocal ostinato. The facilitating person then adds further voices, forming new rhythmic or harmonic layers. In this way, a complex, polyphonic web of repeating patterns grows piece by piece, which is both structured music and free expression.

Living Tradition: A Contemporary Ritual

The name „Circlesong“ refers both to the circular arrangement of participants and to the cyclical structure of the music itself: individual patterns repeat in loops, which can create a trance-like, meditative character. This circular form promotes a sense of equality and community – no one is at the centre except for the moment of music. Each person can step into the middle to lead the group.

Musically, Circlesongs are open to influences from all over the world: African polyrhythms, European choral music, jazz, pop, or traditional folk melodies can be incorporated spontaneously. What's important here isn't the goal of musical perfection, but presence, listening and mutual reacting. Through this open system, Circlesongs are suitable for both professional musicians and amateurs, as they immediately make it clear how music arises from communication, creativity, encounter and lively experiences.

Method for team building and personal development

Alongside their musical significance, Circlesongs are often used as a method for team building, personal development, and mindfulness. Singing together in a circle fosters trust, spontaneity, and connection. Therefore, Circlesongs are not just a musical, but also a social and spiritual experience: they create space for creativity, encounters, and vibrant experiences.

Would you like to join in for open-air singing in Berlin and Potsdam? In Events diary meiner Website erhälst Du weitere Informationen. Spannende Inhalte und aktuelle Hinweise auf events in Berlin und Potsdam 2026 und 2027 erhälst Du außerdem über meinen Newsletter. Zum Abonnieren klicke einfach auf das Logo „Sei dabei“ am Ende der Seite. Komm‘ und sing mit uns gemeinsam in Berlin und Potsdam!

Who is Bobby McFerrin

Bobby McFerrin (born 11 March 1950, New York) is an American singer, composer and conductor. He is known for his enormous vocal range (four octaves) and his exceptional vocal techniques – e.g. scat singing, polyphonic overtone singing, improvisation. Right at the beginning of his career, he was celebrated by the press for his artistic vocal technique involving rapid shifts between chest voice and falsetto. Whilst his arguably best-known pop hit is Don’t Worry, Be Happy (1988), McFerrin is much more than just this hit: he has conducted in the classical field, founded choirs, and experimented with world music and improvisation. Particularly impressive is the album „The Voice“, which was recorded live at a concert and is considered a milestone in the history of jazz.

"Freedom is a voice"

Even as a teenager, I was fascinated by his playful manner and his unconventional approach to music and singing. Although I bought all his records back then, it never crossed my mind to simply get started myself and improvise with my voice. When I read his name in 2011 on a call for auditions for Johanna Seiler's newly founded choir in Berlin, I knew I was in the right place. I only ever experienced him live on stage once, in 2017 in Stuttgart, where I managed to snap up one of the last tickets. The way he puts himself at the service of music and silence in order to sing a large circlesong together with the audience as a choir. That touched me and reminded me of the atmosphere of a church.

What role does McFerrin play in the Circlesongs community?

McFerrin is considered Founder and main actor this global movement. In 1997, he released an album titled Circlesongs, which documents exactly this concept as a recording: with a group of twelve singers from different disciplines and cultures. He uses Circlesinging not only as a concert or recording format, but as a communal experience: both with professional singers and also with the audience in the hall. His website states: „The audience comes in to the concert event… and we all play … join in as a community.“

McFerrin schafft mit Circlesongs eine Bridge between art music, improvisation, community singing and personal creativity: not just listening – but participating. He takes a Pedagogical and transformative role Through workshops and community projects, voice training, community awareness, and creative potential are unlocked. McFerrin is the musical mentor, inspirer, and common „guiding star“ of this culture – many workshops and event formats name him as the origin or an important influence.

„The voice reaches a person's soul more than any other instrument. Because it is the voice. It sings, talks, it cries, it laughs, it squeals, it barks, it shouts, it whispers. There is no other instrument that can do that. We are born with it.“Bobby McFerrin

Would you like to join in for open-air singing in Berlin and Potsdam? In Events Calendar meiner Website erhälst Du weitere Informationen. Spannende Inhalte und aktuelle Hinweise auf events in Berlin und Potsdam 2026 und 2027 erhälst Du außerdem über meinen Newsletter. Zum Abonnieren klicke einfach auf das Logo „Sei dabei“ am Ende der Seite. Komm‘ und sing mit uns gemeinsam in Berlin und Potsdam!

„Música do Círculo“ (often abbreviated MdC) is a musical practice developed in Brazil, focusing on communal music-making, musical improvisation, and body music (body percussion and voice). During events, music is created in a circle (literally or metaphorically) through voice, body, and encounter. The focus is not primarily on performance or perfectly rehearsed pieces, but on experience, connection, creativity, silence, and community. The practice promotes values such as cooperation, listening, diversity, and self-expression.

Who developed the method?

The method was developed by three Brazilians: Pedro Consorte, Ronaldo Crispim and Zuza Gonçalves. Its roots lie:

  • in the Body Music scene of São Paulo, especially inspired by Fernando Barba and his ensemble Barbatuques
  • Bobby McFerrin and the Circlesongs community
  • Keith Terry from the International Bodymusic Festival
  • Nonviolent Communication
  • Pedagogy of Cooperation
  • Taketina

What happens during a Música do Círculo session?

Games, improvisations, body rhythms (e.g. clapping, stomping), singing and movement are used. The process is lively, open, without predetermined notes or strict hierarchy („everyone contributes“). This communal musical experience at an event consists mainly of a non-verbally guided flow, alongside a welcome and a brief verbal exchange at the end.

What makes Música do Círculo special?

The focus is not on musical perfection, but on Relationship, Creativity, Listening and Participate. The method combines the body (percussion), voice, improvisation and social dynamics. A special feature is the instruction through non-verbal gestures instead of words. This means participants are less „in their heads“ and more „in their bodies“.  Circle Music is inclusive: people without formal musical training can also join in. Retreats and community formats create a strong social element.

Who is it suitable for

  • all those who enjoy making music together or yearn to do so – even without prior knowledge.
  • People who are interested in voice, rhythm, body music and improvisation. There are also specialised programmes for children and young people.
  • Groups or organisations looking to use music as a tool for team development, mindfulness, or community.
  • Musiklehrer*innen, Facilitator*innen, Workshopsleiter*innen, die diese Methode lernen möchten.

Would you like to join in for open-air singing in Berlin and Potsdam? In Events Calendar meiner Website erhälst Du weitere Informationen. Spannende Inhalte und aktuelle Hinweise auf events in Berlin und Potsdam 2026 und 2027 erhälst Du außerdem über meinen Newsletter. Zum Abonnieren klicke einfach auf das Logo „Sei dabei“ am Ende der Seite. Komm‘ und sing mit uns gemeinsam in Berlin und Potsdam!