Since 2007, Turtle Dove has been offering singing retreats throughout Europe and North America. Known for creating a safe and welcoming space for every voice, each Turtle Dove workshop brings together compelling leaders with different repertoire and a shared passion for community singing.



Upcoming retreats
Jan 18-20, 2025
Winter Singing Intensive with Carl Linich and Brendan Taaffe at Basin Farm
Dive deep into the dark and sonorous harmonies of Georgian polyphony with master teacher Carl Linich and the richness of Occitan songs with Brendan, coupled with his original work.
Carl is one of the finest teachers of Georgian music on this side of the pond and has been awarded the Georgian President’s Order of Merit for his work preserving Georgian culture, as well as being a Silver Medal State Laureate of Georgia. tl/dr: Dude knows his stuff. For real.
Brendan will share songs from his most recent trip to France as well as a choice selection of original pieces.
Cost: $285.
Note: the tuition does NOT include accommodation. There are many places to stay in Brattleboro and in Greenfield, Mass., which are roughly equidistant from Basin Farm. The tuition DOES include five meals.
Schedule: Saturday and Sunday: programming from 10 am-5 pm. Dinner at 6:30. Monday: programming from 10 am – 3 pm.
May 2-4, 2025
Spring Singing Intensive with Audrey Peinado and Brendan Taaffe
Join us for this special opportunity to spend the weekend singing gorgeous Occitan repertoire with Audrey, who will be traveling over from France for this weekend. Occitan is the language of the medieval Mediterranean, the language of the troubadours. Long suppressed by the French government, it has been resurgent in recent decades and a bounty of fabulous repertoire has been recovered.
Brendan will share a mix of original pieces and traditional American harmony.
Cost: $285
Note: the tuition does NOT include accommodation. There are many places to stay in Brattleboro and in Greenfield, Mass., which are roughly equidistant from Basin Farm. The tuition DOES include three meals.
Schedule: Friday evening from 7:30 pm. Saturday from 10 am-5 pm. Dinner at 6:30. Sunday 10 am-3pm
Our COVID policy
Masks are respected, but not required. Please test the day of the event. If positive, please stay home. If you are symptomatic but test negative, please stay home. An ounce of prevention/ pound of cure and all that.
More about Singing Intensives
Modeled on the Bright Wings Chorus approach, singing intensives are an opportunity for a group of 12-16 experienced singers to dig deep and work hard. We expect that each singer will be able to hold a harmony part on their own. Rehearsals take place at Brendan’s charming 1796 Vermont farmhouse, and we eat lunch and dinner together. These intensives are non-residential.