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
October 16-18, 2026
Singing Weekend with Val Mindel and Brendan Taaffe
Join us for another weekend of exploring early country and Appalachian harmony with Val and Brendan. This will be the fourth year in a row of a fun weekend with great repertoire, great food, and two teachers whose styles work really well together. We’ll spend time figuring out how to find the right harmony line as well as learning arrangements from some past greats like the Delmore Brothers and the Louvin Brothers. Limited to 15 singers.
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
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-residentia