Michael Deason-Barrow offers a new paradigm to voice work. His course was an unparalleled vibrant, holistic weaving of the physical, the didactical, the cultural, the artistic and the spiritual 'vocal' threads; led by an artist, performer and teacher of the highest musical and vocal prowess and integrity. This approach meets the challenges of all level of vocal ability, equally essential for the amateur, student or professional alike.

Tonalis is a rare and wonderful organisation which I am proud to have been associated with. It is seldom one comes across music education training of equal dynamism and integrity. Under the remarkable leadership, guidance and methodology of Michael, participants receive a treasure trove of ideas and skills-training. I heartily recommend these courses to anyone who feels passionately about the musicianship training of young people.

Tonalis is watering the roots of music reviving the mystery through precise techniques, and nurturing the sacred which lies behind all inspiring performance. It is vital work.

What Tonalis achieves cuts through the inhibitions and prejudices which so negatively affect music making and restores the magic and humanity of real musical experience based in social interaction. Michael D-B. brings the message that we can all participate in music making of high quality. In an increasingly sedentary and judgmental society, Tonalis reminds us of the need to move and play.

As a music therapist I am impressed at the sensitive and original investigation Tonalis gives to music. Its perspective is important for anyone concerned with the therapeutic use of music.

‘The course gave me the background and courage I needed to be out there and to start teaching singing. Without your inspirational methods I would not have done this. Michael Deason-Barrow is one of the finest voice coaches in the world.’

Here, we become the living cathedral - not made with the sound of hammers,
But with the wonder and amazement of our singing.

Tonalis' uniquely practical research offers a treasure chest of ideas and materials for teachers and vital insights to enable them to awaken their listening for the inner music of each child.

The extraordinary thing about Michael D-B.'s work is that he really connects World Musics with pedagogical aspects concerning the growing child. His way of working inspires me daily in my work with our education students. This is truly multicultural education.

This course was a revelation. It affected my musicianship and my pedagogical vocation on every level: the way I think about music as a creative process, myself as an artist, and the way I approach music in my teaching. Michael's vast artistic and pedagogical experience; the clarity and depth of his spiritual-artistic perceptions; and his enthusiasm, all contributed to unlocking dormant creative capacities in me, and allowed me to grow in my teaching.

‘We were led to a rediscovery of how our whole body could become musical. We felt such joy at being able to discover our singing voices, and to realise that it is not only the Pavarottis and Domingos of this world who can sing.’

I have so many beautiful memories of our journey together. Improvisations that called something 'higher' to be present; the joy of dipping into the well of wondrous music from different times and places, ...  It is breathtaking to realize just how much more there is to everything....  Michael helped us to make the songs alive in a way that went beyond our imagination. ...   It has been a marvelous journey ...

Seeing the joy on a child' s face when for the very first time he had pitch-matched [sung in tune with] the rest of his class was for me a new reward as a class teacher. The grasp of the issues facing the music teacher in the 21st century that this course has given me has allowed me to explore much more widely with young people musical meaning in the world. New delights seem to lurk around every corner ... So to all teachers or would-be teachers who wish to relate these matters to the ever-changing consciousness of the growing child I say, “consider a Tonalis course, become an encourager, teach music where you can. Make the world a more joyful place. The gods and our children will be grateful”.

The range and compass of this course was truly vast. It was like being guided through a landscape of possibilities by a number of experts in different fields. We explored processes which took us to a deeper level of togetherness by encouraging inner listening and greater self awareness within the group. Our improvisations often achieved a subtlety that left me feeling I had been in deep meditation. ... A special word has to be reserved for the new instruments, which featured prominently - often in connection with music therapy. Their harmonic richness and subtlety opened up my listening and I enjoyed the great variety of social processes they were suited for.