What is Soundwork?

Soundwork originated in the ancient healing modalities of tribal cultures. Music and sound have enabled people of all backgrounds to raise awareness and increase wellness throughout recorded history.

In its modern context, a sound practitioner engages people in receptive and interactive forms of sound making with the intent of fostering wellness. Soundwork, when it is tethered to meaning and depth, includes soulwork.

Soundwork As Soulwork Can:

• Open up a dialogue with our inner selves that reaches beyond words.
• Allow us to express a range of feelings, images, issues and memories that may lay hidden within.
• Increase imaginative responses to real life challenges.
• Engage our inquisitive or inventive nature, like a child.
• Cultivate spiritual depth.
• Provide a ritual container to grieve, release our shadow, or express the sacred.
• Relieve stress and tension.
• Help us become less self conscious and self-critical and encourage creative freedom.
• Access and deepen our own inner artistry and self-expression.
• Improve our listening and communication skills.
• Connect us to inner wisdom and compassion.
• Help manage and transform emotional stress during challenging life transitions, loss or grief.
• Offer grief, bereavement and palliative care support.

Soundworkers use a wide variety of user-friendly musical instruments from around the world in their sessions and workshops. These include the East Indian Shruti Box, Native Indian Buffalo Drum, African djembe and ashiko drums, Australian Didgeridoo, African balafon and tongue drums, ocean drum, spring drum, Tibetan bowls, tingshaws, rain sticks, crystal bowls, wooden crickets and frogs, rattles, chimes, tuning forks and much more. Both instruments and voice are used to create live and unique improvisational soundscapes.

Private sessions may be more receptive if a client would rather drop down into an inner journey while being supported by live soundscapes generating a quiet and supportive atmosphere. One filled with peace, calm and comfort. Sessions may take on an active energy if the client decides to move towards vocalizing their unlived passions or drumming up their unrealized power.

Group Soundwork experiences can enhance a celebration, teach communication skills, or engage a roomful of participants in the spirit of play.

Soundwork is accessible for participants of all ages and all levels of musical skills.

“Soundwork as Soulwork”, Toronto Sound Source, Director Gary Diggins

A few words from Gary Diggins who developed the “Soundwork as Soulwork Program”:

“After decades of studying the medicinal gifts of music, I have evolved a discipline called ‘soundwork as soulwork’.  I believe our inner life speaks to us through the impressionistic language of dreams, synchronicity, yearnings, and human dramas.  If we want to explore our soul’s urgings in imaginative yet effective ways, why not emulate what shamans and seekers have done for ages: turn to the expressive arts as therapy, especially the medium of improvised soundmaking.”

For further information on the Soundwork Programs offered by Toronto Sound Source and Gary Diggins’: www.garydiggins.com

Soundwork Demonstration

Soundwork on Vimeo.

This DVD footage is used with the permission of the Michener/UT Medical Radiation Sciences Program, Kathleen Cowan, Gary Diggins, Ann-Marie Boudreau, Sandra Levy, Brian Aitken and Annamarie Butler.

Other Soundwork Sources in Ontario

Stratford/London Area

Jocelyn Drainie Jocelyn facilitates rhythm and sonic healing circles for private rituals and ceremonies, social service agencies, schools, church groups, professional and medical organizations. She specializes in the use of soundwork to assist those in the grieving process and support individuals in palliative care. Jocelyn is a member of the Rhythm Sisters, an all women’s percussion ensemble based in London. Check out Jocelyn’s website at: www.sonicmedicine.ca

Hamilton Area

Stephen Hudecki With a B.F.A. in music, Soundmaking comes naturally to Stephen. He has shared his playful approach in schools, hospices, community drum circles, singing circles, retreat centres, and open clinics. Stephen has facilitated sonic ritual at private functions, individual rite of passage rituals, in churches, and temples. Stephen has visited Halton, Hamilton-Wentworth and Wellington School Boards, the Nursing Faculty at McMaster Univeristy, seniors, residents, Addiction facilities, Dr. Bob Kemp and Carpenter House Hospices. Musically he continues to perform while working in the film and television industries. Check out Stephen’s website at: www.laughingboy.ca

Barrie Area
Elizabeth Levine, BSW (Ryerson University), is a Social Worker, Certified Soundwork Practitioner, Reiki Master and Drum Facilitator. She received her Soundwork certification at the Transformational Arts College in Toronto. Her diverse experience as a social worker, actor and musician culminated in her profession as a sound healer. She has facilitated drum circle workshops in various community and hospital settings in Ontario. She designed and currently teaches a drum circle program for the Barry City Parks and Recreation department. Liz provides live music at the Barrie Core Wellness Centre, in Barrie, to enhance yoga classes. She also co-created and is an active leader of a thriving drumming community in Barrie called Earthdrum. Check out Elizabeth’s website at: www.healingwithsound.ca