opera singers’ Workshop
singers in residence retreat
come as you are!
For opera singers, the voice is already a disciplined instrument—trained, honed, and capable of extraordinary expression that demands everything of the singer: body, heart, soul.
This retreat is an invitation to engage with instinctive, unformed sounds, to discover the raw impulse—the breath of sound before it becomes shaped into music—as a gateway to authentic expression. Both a return and a renewal, it will deepen each individual’s technical approach while rekindling the primal essence of their voice: its honesty, its power, and its vulnerability.
collaborative at its core
This workshop draws insight from practitioners across disciplines—movement, bodywork, psychology, dramatic practice, and vocal release—to offer an integrated approach and enter into a dialogue: how can the classical singer, skilled in the art of breath release, follow this primal journey into resonance and form?
With the guidance of an embodiment-empowerment practitioner, singers are invited to meet their primal, unfiltered, raw sound arising from breath, emotion, and physical presence. Here, voice is sensation, vibration, and release. From this foundation, we turn toward arias: honing these liberated impulses into formed, resonant sounds, allowing form to grow out of effortless embodied freedom. Under the direction of a dramatic practitioner, the liberated voice evolves from private release into artistic communication.
The retreat offers a safe space to lean into the edges. There will be opportunities to work individually with Arwel, Ashka, and Tom, and to receive their expert guidance and support.
daily sessions
A week of exploration, inspiration and expertise
Morning
yoga | breath | group workshop
Each morning begins with gentle yoga and breath work on the terrace, where the sea and sky set the tone for the day.
From there, the group comes together for an inspiring workshop led by Arwel, Tom, and Ashka. With just twelve participants at most, every session feels personal, supportive, and full of discovery.
Afternoon
one to one sessions | explore voice
In the afternoons, you’ll have space for focus, with smaller groups and individual attention. Each singer will enjoy at least three one-to-one sessions with Arwel, offering time to explore their voice in depth and with care.
Evening Soirée
song | music | talks
Evenings at Komito are centered on fun and togetherness, casually sharing, in the relaxed atmosphere around the fire, cocktail in hand; coaches and participants are encouraged to join, to make music, sing or simply sit back and listen.
Tutors & coaches
Below are the distinguished singing and movement coaches who will join us for the retreat and will facilitate your journey.
Arwel Treharnd Morgan
pianist | singer | private singing studio
A scholarship winner to the Royal Academy of Music, Arwel has built a distinguished career as both pianist and singer, with international study in the US and Canada and performances at leading venues such as the Royal Festival Hall , Royal Albert Hall, Wigmore Hall, and New York’s Lincoln Center. Alongside his work on stage and in broadcast, he has developed a deep commitment to working with singers, drawing on his experience across opera, recital, and chamber music to enable the artistic needs of his students.
Based in London, Arwel runs a thriving and successful singing studio, where his ethos is to create a new working world with every hour, meeting the needs of the singer in the room. Working in collaboration with world leading directors and vocal coaches. His work combines high-level musical insight with practical stage experience enabling them to have a healthy relationship with their craft.
Thomas Guthrie
director | singer | musician | dramaturg
Thomas Guthrie is an award-winning British director, singer, musician and text-based dramaturg, with a particular passion for helping singers bring character, physicality and meaning to every performance. A former Jette Parker Young Artist Stage Director at the Royal Opera House, he has directed major operas and theatre in leading houses and festivals internationally, recent highlights including Aida (Liceu, Barcelona), Semele (Barcelona, Rome, Paris, London) and the acclaimed opening of the Edinburgh Festival in 2025.
As a performer and arranger he has sung and played widely, from solo recordings with John Eliot Gardiner to acclaimed collaborations with Barokksolistene and their Alehouse Boys, featured on BBC4. His arrangement and performance of Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin with them was released to great acclaim in 2023 on Rubicon Classics.
Ashka Zasada
dancer | embodiment coach | yoga instructor
Drawing on extensive experience and training in a range of movement modalities, as well as a deep interest in depth psychology, she offers a unique approach to holding space for awakening to life rooted in embodied wisdom and authenticity.
Her work cultivates agency, emotional depth, and erotic intelligence, and she supports both women and men in developing their capacity for embodied, relational intimacy. She is passionate about inviting play and pleasure and exploring shadow and taboo as pathways to wholeness and deeper intimacy with life.
our approach
Vocal Breath
Guiding you through breath release and energy flow, bringing new ease and resonance to your singing.
Director
Shaping the journey of the week so that each step builds naturally, deepening your experience and integration.
Body Awareness
Helping you explore body awareness, release tension, and discover the connection between movement and sound.
Pricing
Single room €1800, double room €2600, and €1800 per person sharing a room. (Six day retreat, seven nights)
What’s included in your payment:
- All transfers to/from Komito between Syros airport/port
- Board and lodging at Villa Komito
- All singers’ sessions with our experts
- ‘Five Great Greek Dishes’ cooking class with Nella
- All scheduled excursions
- Afternoon activities in the villa and around the island (hiking, pétanque, backgammon, padel)
What’s not included in your payment:
- Flights and ferries to Syros
- Meals and transport costs for excursions to other islands
- Tips for our attentive Komito staff
- Yoga with local expert Anna (€20 per person)
Programme
opera & SONG
WORKSHOP
daily schedule
A day in the life at Komito Singers Workshop
opera
singers
WORKSHOP
dates tbc
october
2026
Places are limited, please book early.
Syros
getting there
BY AIR
Syros has a national airport, with Sky Express offering flights to the island from Athens International Airport.
BY FERRY
From Athens International Airport, make your way to the Port of Piraeus by bus X96, metro Line M3, taxi (€80) or pre-book a private transfer (€60).
Daily Ferries: Piraeus to Syros: 07:30 | 17:30 | Syros to Piraeus: 16:00.
Ferries also connect Syros to Mykonos.
Daily Ferries: Mykonos to Syros: 14.00 | Syros to Mykonos: 11.45
Private Helicopter Transfer from Mykonos to Syros | flyhoper.com
The schedules for all ferries are available nearer the time, check individual websites or ferryhopper.com.
testimonials
“I chose this course based on the beautiful location and the quality of the teachers provided and I was not disappointed- everything exceeded my expectations.
The daily workshop sessions felt packed full of invaluable knowledge from the teachers as well as the other attendees. Additionally, the way that the retreat was structured there was ample time to keep all the discussions from the mornings ongoing with the group as we enjoyed the beautiful surroundings and the villa setting and meals.
This retreat partially felt like going to stay as a guest at a family home instead of an impersonal hotel experience. The generosity and loveliness of the hosts, the location, the villa, and the quality level of the teachers and attendees can’t be overstated.”
“I wanted to have time to write and edit my manuscript. I was able to do just that with incredible support and guidance.
The timing was right, the schedule gave me plenty of time to write, and the courses were optional (I opted out of the morning sessions to be able to write). I liked everything about this course and would highly recommend it. The location is exceptional as were the organisers and facilitators.
Amazing location far from distraction, yet dramatic and beautiful, thus inspiring. Great food by great staff. Superb care taken by organisers. One felt very supported yet free to create. It takes a bit of commitment to get there, but once there, you don’t want to leave.”
“I chose this retreat because the location and accommodations looked divine, the program was flexible (you could take part in the workshops and activities if you wanted to, or you could just write), and the tutors were accomplished writers I felt could learn a lot from. And it certainly did not disappoint.
Christopher, our gracious host, made sure we were well taken care of in his warm and inviting house (the food was fresh and the cocktails delicious). The ever-energetic Bill was our intrepid hike leader, and Bruce and Sarah, our lovely tutors, were always on hand to give constructive and detailed feedback.
I managed to completely disconnect and immerse myself in the gorgeous surroundings, focused on my writing and utilised the constructive feedback I received to helped navigate my story forward.”
Join Us
opera singers’ workshop
Please complete the form below to request your place in this unique experience.
Contact workshop organiser Matilde Wallevik directly with any questions.
matildewallevik@hotmail.com | SMS or Whatsapp: +44 7770466467