GROUP WORKSHOPS
Move Beyond Imitation. Find Your Groove. Command the Stage
In the world of jazz, the greatest vocalists aren't just hitting notes; they are embodying the music. My workshops offer a unique fusion of traditional jazz discipline and modern somatic practice, specifically designed for singers who want to bridge the gap between technical skill and emotional truth. We dive deep into the rhythmic and expressive barriers that keep vocalists feeling like "just a voice," replacing self-consciousness with a grounded, ear-to-voice connection.
"The voice is the most intimate of instruments because it is the only one that is actually inside you."
— Bobby McFerrin
Join a community of dedicated artists as we move beyond imitation toward a sound that is entirely your own. By addressing the rhythmic foundations and authentic self-expression that standard pedagogy often overlooks, these intensives help you break through perfectionism, find your natural groove, and command the stage with genuine presence. From university residencies to intimate group intensives, these workshops are designed to help you stop imitating the legends and start sounding like the musician you were meant to be.
Rhythm Embodiment for Jazz Vocalists
Upcoming workshop dates to be announced
Stop sounding square. Learn to embody jazz rhythm physically—through mindful movement, breath, and somatic awareness—so when you improvise, it grooves naturally. This intensive workshop addresses the rhythmic foundation most jazz vocal training completely overlooks.
In this workshop, you will:
• develop whole self-awareness through mindfulness and somatic practices, recognizing that your body is your instrument
• practice rhythm embodiment by integrating meditation, breath, and movement with and without voice
• understand jazz form and structure so you can navigate improvisation confidently instead of feeling lost
• eliminate the "square" sound that keeps you from grooving with the band
• develop the direct ear-to-voice connection you need for spontaneous improvisation
• break through self-consciousness and perfectionism using extended vocal techniques
• build self-reflective practices that deepen your awareness and expression
This workshop is perfect for you if you:
• are just starting to explore improvisation
• have a hard time feeling the groove in your body
• freeze during solo sections
• want to be respected as a real musician—not just a "pretty voice."
Finding Your Authentic Jazz Voice
Upcoming workshop dates to be announced
Stop imitating legendary vocalists and discover YOUR unique artistic voice within the jazz tradition. Learn to access your own authentic expression through improvisation, interpretation, and embodied practice.
In this workshop, you will:
• develop your own personal phrasing and interpretation (not copying what you've heard)
• approach improvisation as self-expression rather than a technical exercise
• integrate vocal technique with emotional truth so you sound authentic, not mechanical
• build confidence performing with instrumentalists who actually respect you
• cultivate genuine presence and connection with your audience
This workshop is perfect for you if you:
• feel disconnected from your performances
• seek deeper artistic expression beyond hitting the right notes
• are ready to move beyond imitation toward your genuine creative voice
Custom Workshops for Institutions
Bring these workshops to your university, jazz program, or music institution. Topics can be tailored to your students' specific needs and challenges.
Available formats include half-day workshops, full-day intensives, and multi-day residencies. Each engagement includes pre-workshop consultation, customized curriculum, all materials, and follow-up resources.
What People Are Saying
As a student and vocalist striving to study jazz, Shiri helped further my knowledge and improve my vocal technique, as she was patient and extremely knowledgeable. Together, we worked on different singing techniques, warm-ups, and a variety of different jazz tunes. Shiri took a very personal approach to teaching, as she was also very helpful with helping me to maintain healthy singing habits.
Shiri has a friendly, thoughtful, and informed approach to teaching, and I was able to take so much away from my lessons with her.
— Grace, undergraduate college student, music major
I’ve been a professional singer for over twenty years and frequently sing throughout the Capital Region and Tri-State Area. Occasionally, I’ll stop by Shiri’s studio for a vocal ‘tune-up’, or if I have challenging repertoire to prepare. Shiri’s methodology and pedagogical approach is refreshing and immensely effective, especially when compared to a lifetime of traditional vocal instruction.
The lessons I’ve had with her focused on somatic connection, and understanding the body as the whole instrument, which I feel is sometimes forgotten in traditional instruction. Through her approach to breathwork, resonance focus, and full body connection, I was able to feel and hear a tremendous difference in how I was producing sound even after one lesson.
I highly recommend Shiri to singers of any style and at any stage of their development.
— Matthew, professional singer
I’ve been singing since I was very young, but Shiri helped me connect with my voice on a physical level that had previously escaped me. It had been a long time since my last vocal lesson, and she reminded me just how much good a quality teacher can do. She creates a calm, respectful, and engaging environment in her lessons, and always gives thorough and sound reasoning for what she has students do. She is patient, helpful, and responsive to her students’ goals, interests, shortcomings, and strengths. She helped me a great deal, and I would absolutely recommend her to any prospective students!
— Rimmele, undergraduate college student, music major
ABOUT SHIRI
With 30 years of professional performance experience and a Master's degree in Voice Pedagogy in progress (May 2027) with the Voice Study Centre in England, Shiri brings both deep artistic experience and pedagogical expertise to her teaching.
A graduate of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London with a Bachelor's degree in Classical Vocal Performance, Shiri made the transformative journey from classical training to jazz performance—navigating every challenge you're facing right now.
In 2023, DownBeat Magazine featured Shiri in a full-page article, highlighting her debut album, Into Another Land. Since then, she has released a second highly acclaimed album, Looking for the Light, and performs regularly throughout the Northeast, bringing her unique voice to concert stages and jazz venues.
Her specialized focus on jazz vocal and improvisation—particularly rhythm embodiment and form—addresses the gap most singers experience when transitioning from other genres or developing improvisational skills. She teaches what most voice instructors leave out: how to feel rhythm in the body, understand song structure, and improvise with your authentic voice rather than imitating what you've heard.
Her teaching draws from somatic approaches, including Feldenkrais-inspired movement work, mindfulness practices, neuroscience and compassion-based frameworks.
Informed by navigating her own journey from classical training to jazz performance, Shiri creates a safe and judgment-free space where you can explore, take risks, and grow without perfectionism or self-criticism blocking your artistic development. She offers both empathy for the challenges of transition and proven methodologies for transformation, cultivating an environment where technical growth and artistic discovery happen simultaneously—where you learn to trust your body, your ears, and your authentic expression.