Sing Awakening: Becoming Human Instruments

May 8–10, 2026 | Akera Retreat Center (Catskills, NY)

A Spring Retreat of Voice, Movement & Collective Expression
Awaken the creative voice inside. Transform it through shared expression.

Most people think music is about talent, technique, or getting it right. Forget that. This retreat is about the voice as instinct. Rhythm and sound as a way back into your body, your breath, and the deeper intelligence moving through you. Sing Awakening is an immersive four-day retreat where we tune ourselves as living instruments — exploring groove, harmony, improvisation, movement, and creative truth in community.

No prior music or singing experience necessary. This is for anyone who knows music can be a pathway to personal and collective transformation.

Music & Voice as Expression

We begin by tuning the nervous system and the body as instruments. From there we expand into rhythm, harmony, interlocking patterns, and shared improvisation.

Creative Truth & Collaboration

Through rhythm, voice, movement, and collective music-making, we explore listening, trust, and the emergence of shared language. Life, like music, is about improvisation — and connection forms when we truly listen.

Nature, Ritual & Performance

We gather in ritual. We sing in nature. We experience live and improvised performances that weave the individual and the collective together.

This retreat is for conscious creatives, soulful seekers, musicians and non-musicians alike — anyone ready to create something honest, resonant, and alive.

Venue: Akera Retreat Center

Nestled on 123 acres in the Catskill Mountains, just two hours from NYC, Akera is a generational retreat center designed for discovery, play, and deep reconnection.

Your days unfold across forests, meadows, ponds, and trails. Gather and create in beautifully designed spaces including:

The acoustically rich Mothership Dome
The intimate Sanctuary
Yoga and movement studio with sprung floors
Spacious communal lodges and cozy retreat rooms
Forest trails and open-air gathering spaces

Wellness Amenities

Sauna
Cold plunge
Hot tub
Fire pits
Hammocks
Forest bathing
Art installations

Schedule

Perfect — this will make it feel like a true 3-day container.

Here’s your fully updated schedule with Friday arrival 1:00–3:00pm and extended Sunday departure 5:00–6:00pm.
Each time stamp is on one line.

Friday

1:00–3:00 pm – Arrival & Check-In
3:30–5:30 pm – Opening Session
6:00–7:30 pm – Welcome Dinner
8:00–9:30 pm – Evening Gathering
9:30 pm onward – Optional Sauna/ Hot Tub / Informal Hang

Saturday

7:30–8:15 am – Meditation/Yoga
8:15–9:30 am – Breakfast
9:30 am–12:30 pm – Program Session I
12:30–2:00 pm – Lunch
2:00–3:30 pm – Free Time / Group Activity
3:30–6:30 pm – Program Session II
6:30–8:00 pm – Dinner
8:00–10:00pm – Evening Experience / Performance

Sunday

8:00–9:00 am – Meditation/Yoga
9:00–10:00 am – Breakfast
10:15 am–12:30 pm – Program Session III
12:30–2:00 pm – Communal Lunch
2:00–3:15 pm – Celebration & Sharing
3:15–4:15 pm – Free Time/ Group Activity
4:15–5:00 pm – Closing Ritual
5:00–6:00 pm – Departure Window

What’s Included

Full retreat programming & facilitation
Somatic movement, yoga & meditation sessions
Curated evening music events
Sauna, hot tub & cold plunge access
123 acres of hiking trails & nature spaces
All meals (dinner on arrival through lunch on departure)
Accommodations based on your selected lodging tier

Presenters & Facilitators

About Us
We are a vibrant community cultivating modern sanctuary spaces through the creative arts and shared experience - designing gatherings that deepen human connection, from intimate salons to large festivals.

Nick Demeris (Human Instruments)
Nick Demeris is a globally recognized singer, improviser, composer, and teaching artist. Through his #humaninstruments method, he transforms audiences into orchestras — activating the body and voice as primary instruments for collective music-making and connection.

FAQs

Do you have a waitlist if it sells out?
Yes. If the retreat reaches capacity, you may join the waitlist and will be notified if space becomes available.