This is a hands-on celebration of Latin rhythms, voice, and collective sound, with Rosi Amador of Sol y Canto. Participants can discover the orchestra within, plus “circle singing.” Together, we build a spontaneous chorus!

What participants will explore:

• Circle singing, an improvisational, communal singing technique (created by Bobby McFerrin) in which participants stand in a circle to create spontaneous, unscripted music; a leader improvises melodic and rhythmic parts, assigning them to different sections to create a layered, in-the-moment musical experience that fosters community and deep listening, and opportunities for anyone to lead are offered
• Cuban salsa, Afro-Puerto Rican bomba, Afro-Uruguayan candombe, Brazilian rhythm games, and Venezuelan joropo
• Playful vocal and body-percussion patterns woven with rhythmic improvisation
• How to recreate the sounds of instruments, including piano (drum), barril, cuá, chico, repique, claves, congas, maracas, campana (cowbell), and more
• Vocal improvisation techniques from the beloved Brazilian troupe Música do Círculo

How it works: in this dynamic, two-hour workshop, Rosi will guide you through select vocal percussion and improvisation techniques inspired by Caribbean and South American rhythms. You’ll embody the sounds of a Cuban salsa band, a Puerto Rican bomba group, and much more. No experience is necessary—just your voice, your body, and your curiosity.

Why this workshop? The goal is to take the spirit of the Vineyard’s singing community into a rich world of global rhythm and harmony. This is a space for exploration, joy, and the discovery of just how musical your body already is.

About Rosi

Of Argentine and Puerto Rican heritage, Rosi Amador was raised by performer parents, who passed on to her their love of Latin American rhythms and musical styles. Her Nuyorican mother was a dancer, singer, and actress, appearing in the U.S. and Europe with Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, and Dean Martin, among others, and in Mexico with comic actor “Cantinflas” (Mario Moreno). Her father began in radio in Buenos Aires and later became an actor, touring all over Latin America. Rosi founded the award-winning Latin band Flor de Caña’s in 1984, which she also managed for ten years.

Following this, in 1994 she and her New Mexican guitarist/composer husband Brian founded Sol y Canto, with which they tour nationally and have released five CDs internationally.

She has been deeply influenced by popular Latin music, flamenco, jazz, North American folk, blues, and contemporary African vocal styles. In 1998 she founded her Latin music agency, MusicAmador, and was later the president of the Latin Music Division of the Roots Agency; both agencies represented major Latin American music and dance ensembles in the U.S. and Canada.