Reclaiming the Sacredness

Devotional music traditions—specifically the ecstasy-driven art of Qawwali—were never meant to be learned from a screen. They require a physical space, a shared breath, and a collective heartbeat. Whether you are a seasoned vocalist looking to unlock a deeper emotional resonance, or a passionate enthusiast stepping into your creative power for the first time, the Sacred Sound Retreat is your sanctuary. 

Over this weekend, we will strip away the noise of daily life to focus entirely on the mechanics of the voice, the geometry of rhythm, and the joy of collective expression. This is not just a workshop; it is an incubator for your musical and personal expansion. You will arrive with a curiosity; you will leave with a heightened command of your instrument and a profound sense of creative belonging.

Who this experience is designed for

  • Folks who love devotional music (qawwali, bhajan, or shabad kirtan), find peace/ joy in singing (even if it's just in the shower).

  • Singers looking to expand their vocal range, improve their breath stamina, and unlock a raw resonant delivery that's beyond commercial vocal styles.

  • Musicians who want to internalize traditional rhythm cycles and the dynamics of live classical vocals.

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

Inside the Retreat

  • MODULE #1 Breath, Energy & Sacred Sound

    Sufi breath practices to connect the voice and heart as well as expand the lungs. ('Dum')

  • MODULE #2 Storytelling & Deep Listening

    Community dialogue, listening and learning from each person's unique experience on the path of music. ('Sama')

  • MODULE #3 Voice Culture & Daily Practice

    Exercise the voice in three octaves, how to transition from low to high correctly with pitch precision and confidence. ('Saptak')

  • MODULE #4 Techniques & Compositions

    Learn several classical, sacred compositions. Understand the structure and arrangement of a devotional piece. ('Bandish')

  • MODULE #5 Integration & Meditation

    The sacred geometry of music, how to access any note from any other note. ('Merukhand')

  • MODULE #6 Rhythm & Collaboration

    Rhythm cycles and tempo. Learn to understand the fundamental rhythms of Indian music: 8-beat, 6-beat, 7-beat and 16-beat cycles. ('Taal')

The Rhythm of the Weekend

Friday, August 21: Arrival & Soft Opening 

  • 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM | Welcome & Check-In 
    Arrive at our venue on the outskirts of Houston. Settle into your accommodations, unpack, and step away from the noise. 
  • 7:30 PM | Communal Welcome Dinner 
    A nourishing meal to break bread, meet your fellow artists, 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 work. 


Saturday, August 22: 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 Riyaaz) 
    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 Beauty of Laya & Taal (Rhythm)
    Shift focus from the throat to the body. Learn to internalize the driving, hypnotic rhythmic cycles of the Tabla, mastering the time structures that define the genre's energy. 
  4. 5:00 PM | Somatic Integration & Flow 
    A dedicated space to process the day's training, release physical tension, and dissolve any lingering performance anxiety. 
  5. 6:30 PM | Dinner 
  6. 8:00 PM | Evening Session: The Art of the Humnawa (Group)
    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: 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.

Retreat Location

FAQ

For any questions not addressed below, reach out to Faryal at 346-528-8072

  • Do I need to speak Urdu/Hindi/Punjabi?

    No

  • What if I've never sung in front of people before?

    The wellness/somatic aspect ensures a safe, zero-judgment zone.

  • What are the payment options?

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