Maha Rose Sound School
Level 1
with Katie Down & Jessica Caplan
November 15th -17th
Maha Rose Brooklyn
Katie Down and Jessica Caplan, long-time collaborators and co-teachers for Sound School introduce students to basic theoretical understanding of sound and music in healing practices. Students will learn what the standard and recognized practices and instruments are in sound work and holistic practices using sound and music. Students will learn how to integrate their voice, rhythm, movement, Deep Listening methods, and specific instruments.
We will impart the importance of understanding the cultural and historical contexts of instruments introduced, as well as the ethical use and whether or not to incorporate traditional, indigenous instruments in sound and other healing practices. We will introduce gentle therapeutic touch and the parameters and ethics of holding therapeutic space for another, when to use touch and when not to, the combination of instruments and sounds to facilitate shifts in consciousness and brainwave states, and the use of our voices to open, connect, and express for optimal wellbeing.
Instruments introduced include Middle Eastern frame drums, West African djembes, shakers, claves, bells, and other small percussion from different traditions, Biosonic tuning forks, Monolina monochords, hand pans, shruti boxes, crystal and metal singing bowls, gongs, and voice.
One of the main threads that connects all the concepts and techniques shared, is the idea of the musical drone as the basis for working in sound - how the musical drone facilitates conscious, psychological, emotional, and physiological shifts, as well as a sense of safety, connection, and grounding. We will work with recognized instruments and techniques in sound healing practices, music therapy, holistic practices and the facilitation of sound baths so that students will come away with a basic understanding of using sound in their personal practice.
Students are also encouraged to bring in their personal instruments if they have anything they are drawn to using in sound work.
We recommend that students with no prior experience using sound, take Level 1 with us and integrate some of the lessons learned in their personal work, with friends and family for at least 6 months and wait to bring their learning into public venues until after they complete Level 2, a 5-day intensive with Jessica, Katie and guest teachers that will take place in 2025.
Sound School is an experiential, engaging, fun, and welcoming place for creativity, curiosity and compassion. All are welcome!
Testimonials:
"Jess and Katie are true seers. Two of the most powerful, humble and insightful teachers I have ever had. The space they hold is unparalleled. I have been to many workshops and worked with many facilitators. but these two are bar none my favorite pair. I usually cross paths with them when I am at my most vulnerable rock bottom moments in life. There is no mistake in that, as their containers are vast and they are truly the most loving, compassionate teachers. The feeling of safety they create is unparalleled, creating space that makes for rapid transformation and healing.My intentions were to explore a relationship to my voice that was non-performative and felt more embodied. I got both an immersive experiential introduction to sound healing but unexpectedly had the opportunity to process some of layers of blockages inhibiting my vocal expression."
"The resources I received are ones I felt I could immediately apply in my own life to continue this healing journey. I loved the safe space to experiment with sound and the invitation to stay in a spirit of play & curiosity vs. the judgment/perfectionism I'm used to putting on it. It shifted my perspective deeply. I appreciated the opportunity to practice facilitating sound healing in a variety of settings- 1-on-1 and in group. It gave me a better idea of how I can see myself facilitating this moving forward and by the end of the retreat I felt confident to do so."
“ I went on this retreat hoping to learn more about the art and science of sound healing, as well as get exposure to new instruments and approaches. That is exactly what I got, but the best part was the healing of my own layers that I experienced. I felt held and safe, in a beautiful place, that allowed me to crack open to the true power and impact of sound healing. I was able to meet new depths of my voice and undeniably see the force behind my own voice and connection to sound.”
"I received everything and more on the retreat, completely in line with my intentions. I connected with my internal sound, and my connection to the sounds of the earth. It sounds trite, but after moving through a year of immense grief, I was floating out in space and unsure of how to connect to anything. I have been a student of Katie and Jess several times, and each time I feel more aligned with who I am and my place and purpose in the world. I took away a deeper foundation with myself and using sound in my practice. I came back to myself through the retreat and that has allowed me to open up to life again. To love being alive again."
"Jessica & Katie are both gifted musicians, healers, and teachers. I appreciate that they both brought their own unique perspectives, experiences, and energy while also co-creating a container that was safe, playful, and intentional. It was the perfect balance of structure and fluidity for me. Thank you both for everything!"
Maha Rose Sound School Level 1
Friday, November 15th
6-9pm
November 16th - 17th
10-5pm
Exchange: $555
Maha Rose
200 Columbia street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
cancellation policy: account credit or refunds are available if requested 72 hours prior to the event, less a 10% service fee..
katie down
Katie Down, LCAT, MT-BC, MMT, MM, is a licensed creative arts therapist, psychotherapist, board-certified music therapist and EMDR practitioner. She received her master's in music psychotherapy from NYU, and in composition from the New England Conservatory with post-graduate certifications from the Institute for Contemporary Psychotherapy's Trauma Studies Program and EMDR Level III through the Parnell Institute. Katie is a professional flutist, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning composer and sound designer, bringing with her a wide range of musical experiences and approaches from classical, jazz, world music, and free improvisation. She has enhanced her musicianship with intensive voice and Deep Listening training with Rhiannon, Meredith Monk, and Lisa Sokolov and Pauline Oliveros. Katie is an adjunct professor at SUNY New Paltz and guest lectures at NYU, Vassar College, University of Colorado, The School for Visual Arts, Cal State Fullerton, The Jewish Theologic Seminary, and Hofstra University.
She co-leads the Sound School training program with Jessica Caplan at Maha Rose Center for Healing in Brooklyn and Mexico and provides individual and small group intensives in sound work to healing arts practitioners interested in learning clinical techniques in applying sound to their practice. She is a Reiki II practitioner as well and provides Reiki as an adjunctive offering in her clinical practice.
jessica caplan
Jessica Caplan is a Hudson Valley-based healing artist and vocalist who works with voice and sound as therapeutic modalities. Jessica is passionate about bringing people home to their hearts through the universal and transcendental power of sound. In her immersive workshops, retreats, and trainings, she cultivates nurturing spaces that support vulnerability, authentic connection, and community. A graduate of the Open Center’s Sound and Music Institute (2013) and Grammy award-nominated artist Silvia Nakkach’s Yoga of the Voice certificate (2017), Jessica has guided hundreds of students in sound trainings in Brooklyn, New York City, the Hudson Valley, and online.
She’s a regular guest sound teacher for yoga teacher trainings, and has facilitated hundreds of sound baths and voice- and sound-based workshops at yoga studios, retreat centers, festivals, organizations, and for private events. As a vocal embodiment guide, Jessica offers a whole-hearted, loving approach to the voice. In addition to her 1:1 voice mentorships, she also offers an online group voice program for women, RECLAIM, which takes participants on a journey to their authentic voice. Her work has been covered in the New York Times, the Observer, Vogue, and on CBS news. She is a Reiki practitioner, long time yogini, and student of classical Indian singing and indigenous traditions. She's also currently in training to become a Somatic Experiencing practitioner. You can find her recorded music online under her alias Jessonica.