Channel Your Raw Voice

Immerse yourself in a weekend of musical discovery and vocal growth. From mastering vocal techniques to building a strong community, this retreat offers a unique blend of music, wellness, and personal development.

Who this experience is designed for

  • Individuals who love devotional music, find peace or joy in singing (even if it's just in the car or the shower).

  • Singers looking to expand their vocal range, improve their breath stamina, and unlock a raw, emotionally resonant delivery that goes beyond standard Western vocal styles.

  • Musicians eager to internalize traditional rhythm cycles and experience the unique dynamics of live vocal accompaniment.

  • Anyone looking to disconnect from daily digital noise and connect deeply with like-minded souls through the shared, restorative power of collective music-making.

The Rhythm of the Weekend

Friday, August 21: Arrival & Settle 

  • 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Welcome & Check-In Arrive at our serene venue on the outskirts of Houston. Settle into your accommodations, unpack, and step away from the digital noise. 
  • 7:30 PM | Communal Welcome Dinner A nourishing, chef-prepared meal to break bread, meet your fellow creators, and set collective intentions for the weekend ahead. 
  • 9:00 PM | Soft Opening & Grounding A gentle evening introduction to the weekend's energy, preparing the body and mind for tomorrow’s intensive vocal work. 


Saturday, August 22: The Deep Dive (For Saturday arrivals: Check-in is open from 8:00 AM – 8:45 AM) 

  1. 9:00 AM | Session 1: Opening the Voice (Akaar & Riyaz) Our collective work officially begins. Dive straight into intensive voice culture, breath mechanics, and foundational exercises designed to free your natural tone and build stamina. 
  2. 12:30 PM | Catered Lunch & Rest Refuel with a wholesome meal and take time to rest your vocal cords or explore the quiet surroundings. 
  3. 2:00 PM | Session 2: The Geometry of Rhythm (Taal) Shift focus from the throat to the body. Learn to internalize the driving, hypnotic rhythmic cycles of the Tabla and Dholak, mastering the time structures that define the genre's energy. 5:00 PM | Somatic Integration & Wellness Flow A dedicated space to process the day's training, release physical tension, and dissolve any lingering performance anxiety. 
  4. 6:30 PM | Dinner 
  5. 8:00 PM | Evening Session: The Art of the Humnawa Step into the vocal circle. Experience the exhilarating camaraderie of communal singing, learning the delicate art of listening, responding, and holding harmony as a collective choir. 

Sunday, August 23: The Crescendo & Integration 

  1. 8:30 AM | Morning Fuel & Warmup A light breakfast followed by a gentle vocal focus session. 
  2. 10:00 AM | Session 3: Melodic Expression & Ornamentation Bring the technical pieces together. Explore how raw emotion translates into precise pitch control, traditional ornamentation, and creative expression. 
  3. 1:00 PM | The Final Mehfil Circle Our culminating experience. A high-energy, collaborative singing circle where the entire group embodies the collective power of the weekend's training. 
  4. 3:30 PM | Closing Reflections & Departure Final wrap-up, community photos, and farewells. Depart with a freed voice, practical training tools, and a deep sense of creative belonging.

Instructor(s)

Sonny Mehta

Lead Instructor

Sonny K. Mehta is a professional Qawwali musician, cultural strategist, and organizer committed to preserving and evolving South Asian musical traditions in the United States. He is the founder of Riyaaz Qawwali (est. 2006) and the lead instructor at Riyaaz Academy (est. 2022), where he blends classical Qawwali with diverse musical influences to inspire civic engagement and cross-cultural understanding. Mehta is a recipient of major national honors, including the 2025 BIPOC Arts Network Fund Award, 2024 MAP Fund Award, 2024 AAPI Civic Engagement Fund Award, 2023 Joyce Award, and 2022 Mid-America Arts Alliance Innovators Award. His collaborative projects explore interfaith dialogue, racial equity, and LGBTQ representation within South Asian art forms. Supported by the Ford Foundation, Joyce Foundation, Mid-America Arts Alliance, and the City of Houston, Mehta has performed and lectured at Harvard, Dartmouth, University of Chicago, and West Point. His work uses Qawwali as a platform for cultural exchange, education, and social connection across communities.

FAQ

  • Include questions a potential student may have before purchase.

    Address common questions ahead of time to save yourself an email.

  • Include questions a potential student may have before purchase.

    Address common questions ahead of time to save yourself an email.

  • Include questions a potential student may have before purchase.

    Address common questions ahead of time to save yourself an email.