Cabaret Connexion 2026 Sessions - Working In Concert

Pour voir la version française : Cabaret Connexion 2026 Sessions en français – Working In Concert

All workshops, master classes, round tables will be held November 2-6, 2026
at DANK Haus, 4740 N Western Avenue in Chicago.

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Review descriptions below.
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Daily Schedule
Registration and Sign-up for specific sessions will begin in May 2026
Round Tables
Workshop and Masterclass Details
Visit the Preparation page to get ready for the workshops.

The daily schedule from Monday through Friday:

9:00 AM Doors open to complete registration and get ready for the day.
9:15 AM The day’s orientation begins in the large classroom
9:15 AM Three concurrent morning sessions (comprised of 75-90 minute workshops or 3-hour master classes)
12:30 PM Lunch: we recommend pre-ordering take-out from the neighborhood restaurants
1:30 PM Round Table discussions in the large classroom.
2:30 PM Three concurrent afternoon sessions
5:30 PM Refresh, travel and dine, including dinner shows.
8 PM Evening concerts and encounters

PROPOSED Round tables (RT) – Essential conversations*

*These are suggested topics for roundtables and may change based on demand, voice your preferences above

Anne and Mark Burnell – Building your press kit
Anne Fromm – how cabaret can change the world (continued conversation from Lyon) and Éric Tavelli – What is an artist?
Anne Sophie Guerrier – Sell your show
Eric Vincent – French cabaret history – “sharing my experience of touring to 140 countries and every US state over the course of 44 years”
Johanna Paliege – Berlin Kabarett (its history and today; illustrated with performed examples of German cabaret songs)
Katrina V Miller and others – Business of Cabaret
Michael Sokol – Comedy in cabaret
Dr. Susan Arjmand. Michael Sokol and Eric Tavelli – Vocal health & hygiene
Thomas Kellner – The political dimension of cabaret today, as a social and political hub

Workshops (W) and masterclasses (MC)

Master classes will focus on individual singers one-by-one (usually 10-15 minutes for each) whereas workshops offer a more collective round-robin experience. In both cases, get ready to sing!

Many of the workshops will be 60, 75 or 90 minutes long in order to accommodate more themes. Therefore it may be possible to attend 4 in one day.

Non-singing auditors are welcome to observe all sessions. Jeanie Carroll will lead daily warmups.

PROPOSED Session descriptions* This is a draft and is subject to change based on demand

Open the plus sign (+) to read the description for each class.

I look forward to opening up the performer to look at the lyric and the melody as a team, as a map in telling the story. The meaning of each word, how it helps create the thought, the mood, the truth in the moment.- how it feels in the mouth, on the tongue- the smoothness or percussiveness of the words and how that influences the thought. How each lyric leads in to the next as if by surprise, and how it helps to form the thought and the story as a whole.

I only hope that my class will help the singing actor to illumine the text and therefore the song. That it will all be based on the immediate truth of the moment. That each time they perform it that they will discover the lyrics anew and therefore each time it will be fresh and new for them as well as the audience. The performer must always know what each word means and how it resonated in the time it was created as well as how it will resonate or land with the current time.- to pay attention to the alliteration, the onomatopoeia, to the punctuation,- the periods, exclamation marks , and commas. Transitioning from thought to thought is also something we will work on.

How the songs are strung together can take the audience on a journey, or illuminate the songs that follow after or reveal something special or interesting about the singer. Juxtapose different styles so that you entertain as well as educate your audience. How to take in a room and gauge your audience- to play with your audience and to create a particular mood.

Check and correct if necessary the correct diction of song lyrics performed in French by singers of American or other languages.

“I offer a training session during which we will explore theatrical games and improvisation exercises to help us move closer to that famous sense of letting go, which fosters the engagement and freedom of expression we so greatly need on stage.” We begin with group exercises before working individually with each participant on their song. We will work individually to use theater techniques to place a song in a context and embody a character, so that it’s no longer just about singing but about telling a story. We begin with a few theater-inspired exercises to encourage engagement and freedom of expression. If we extend for 3 hours, each student takes turns presenting a song of their choice and learns to interpret it as if it were a theatrical scene. The use of body language, eye contact, and presence within the environment plays a key role in conveying emotions more authentically to the audience. Experimenting with how letting go can lead to more authentic results than control

A workshop to rediscover the voice in a new way through vowel chanting and other vocal and energetic practices drawn from ancient cultures. These practices are powerful tools to help you feel better in your body while enhancing your vocal abilities. 60 or 90 minutes

Join renowned musical director and vocal coach Beckie Menzie for a session focused on how to identify and find the right material and then how to make it your own. Beckie will guide you in finding the right key, arrangement, lyric interpretation and presentation style and remove the obstacles that prevent you from making the leap from ‘good singing’ to delivering a powerful performance.

Find YOUR funny in Cabaret! Jokes, comedy songs, and fun conversation with your audience add variety and joy to your show. You will learn how to relax into comedy. We’ll explore timing and comic beats, where to place comedy in your show order and so much more. When you make your audience feel all the feels don’t forget to make ’em laugh!

While other workshops will explore the text and subtext of our lyrics, let’s focus on what happens before and between the songs. Taking in the room and your audience. Talking with and bringing your public along for the journey. Whether the song serves as a soundtrack to the world we live in or as a vehicle for traveling to another time, its “preamble” helps point the way.

Does your vocal technique get in the way of your communicating a song? Or is it more likely that your attempt to communicate a song gets in the way of your technique? David will help you assess and then balance your strengths and weaknesses of both the technical aspects of singing and the skills needed for implementing compelling and effective choices in dramatic or comedic song communication. Prepare two selections in any genre from which one will be chosen.

The human face has about 30 different muscles on each side. The possibilities for expressing emotions using individual muscles and combinations of muscles are vast. Would you like to harness this kind of expressive power in your performance? The first part of the workshop will review the different muscles and organize them into a few basic emotions. The second part will be a performance lab that explores the ability to portray and shift expressions with precision to add deeper meaning to your stage performance.

(If you’ve attended David’s workshop before, you’re invited to join the second 90 minutes to participate in the hands-on exercises.)

Instruction on the elements that comprise authentic Blues, R&B, Country and Jazz. We will cover the Blues scale and Pentatonic scales for “licks and runs” and how to use them for authentic embellishments of words. We will discuss the use of vibrato, delayed vibrato and no vibrato. Back Phrasing and anticipation will be addressed. Diction in various styles. A pronunciation guide for Jazz will be handed out. Audio examples will be played. A handout sheet for pronunciation will be distributed.

Whether you sing opera, jazz, Broadway or pop, Elisabeth will address vocal techniques to make the healthy and most resonant choices for each. Elisabeth will lay her hands on your voice to find new expression. We will cover breathing, support, power, projection, dynamics, vibrato, vocal colors and resonances, head and chest registers, personal expression, and blending registers and the Mix for high powered high notes. Handouts with vocal techniques for practice will be distributed. Audio demonstrations will be played throughout this session.

You will learn the secrets of Bel Canto, applicable to all musical styles. He’ll bring out your true voice, revealing the artist in you. There is a introductory half-session for all who are new to Tavelli’s vocal technique and approach to interpretation: breath, voice placement, air column, articulation) Limited to 10-12 participants who perform a song of their choice. All will learn a number of vocal exercises to warm up and improve your vocal technique. Master Tavelli will work with each to solve technical and interpretation problems.

90-minute workshop. Participants will learn ways to improvise on a melody using counter melodies, rhythmic devices and word accents. Through collective circle improvisation, we will create grooves and have conversations with one another by creating short melodies using vocables instead of words to express feelings and to imitate instrumental sounds as communicative devices.

ACHIEVING MORE RESONANCE IN YOUR VOICE USING VOCAL EXERCISES: Everyone has a chest voice and a head voice register. One does not exclude the other. Finding out how to get that “ping” in either register is what makes the thrilling notes everyone loves to hear and to experience. Learn some vocal techniques that help to achieve greater resonance by learning some specific exercises that you can practice.

Learn how to combine brain training and play to bypass muscle memory, break through vocal barriers, and accelerate your learning time. Build a voice that is powerful, versatile, and always dependable.

We will start with a brief discussion on how our brains work, how we learn, and why traditional vocal methods don’t necessarily serve us well. Then we’ll move into an ‘all-skate’ demonstration of NeuroVocal training and some small group playful exercises to teach different vocal ‘colors’ and techniques quickly. We’ll spend the majority of our time in a masterclass-like integration session, where volunteers can work in front of the class.

Bring your problems, leave with solutions. Got a note that you just can’t get in that song? Have a general vocal challenge that keeps rearing its ugly head? Have vocal questions you’ve always wanted answers to? I guarantee you’re not the only one with said struggles or questions. VocalLab is your chance to get answers and solutions for you and your peers.

Participants should bring their questions and music if they’re working on a specific challenge in a song.

Auditors welcome. We’ll get to questions from auditors if we move through participants’ questions quickly enough.

Stretching. Breathing. Choosing a song. Experimenting – exploring the possibilities of interpretation
Let’s start from your point of view, connect with your body, and be in the moment. Get out of your comfort zone. Isabelle brings methods on how to learn a text and work on it, to give you more confidence and a larger range of interpretation choices.

We’ll begin the week with all the accompanists (pianists and accordionists) to explore: The relationship between pianist and singer soloist is technical, psychological and spiritual. Speaking the Language of your Accompanist. Whether meeting for the first time at an open mic or working for years with a pianist partner, there’s an essential vocabulary to share. How best to use rehearsal time. For singers and accompanists, let’s explore what each brings to the partnership.

“Putting together shows is my favorite thing to do in showbiz. In addition to the Spoon River Cabaret, writing the book to four musical revues, and putting together eight of my own solo cabaret shows over the years, I currently work with Wilde Cabaret putting together a new cabaret show every month (14 total every year). I’m also on the CCP’s production committee now. The aspect of putting together a show that I think is my forte is creating a narrative first and finding songs that fit that narrative.” 90 minutes

A “drop-in” opportunity for individuals looking for special material. We’ll set a time for Jonathan to have “office hours” to help you find lesser known songs for your cabaret show. Jonathan’s encyclopedic knowledge of songs from 100 years of the movies and Broadway is phenomenal.

In cabaret, anything is possible. You can be whoever you want, especially not yourself. Become a creature of your own making, in a world where all rules and norms are abolished. In cabaret, we can create characters, half-human, half-fantasy, to reflect the world through theatrical artifice, exposing its distortions through art. In cabaret, we are in the present moment, in the now. In cabaret, the ego laughs at itself and mimics others. In cabaret, everything is expressed with irony, irreverence, and a rebellious spirit—a glitter-dusted simulation of the world. This is what we will explore together using theatre games: finding that “creature” within each of us, lying in wait, ready to be expressed.

In this 90-minute workshop participants will explore 7 effective storytelling techniques focused on fostering vulnerability, deep listening, and personal connection through small group exercises and actionable intimacy-focused storytelling activities.

This masterclass is marvelous opportunity to learn from peers as each participant takes turns performing prepared material during class. We will explore creating your story, choosing your songs, picking your musicians, and living through your character in cabaret.

Unlock a smarter way to train your voice using today’s most powerful apps, tools, and habits—giving you practical experience to kickstart consistent, effective vocal practice and track your growth with confidence. 90 minutes

Lou Ella Rose, multidisciplinary artist and seasoned producer, has spent 18 years crafting compelling live performances. With a parallel 23-year career in information technology focused on data, business intelligence, and big data for marketing programs in Fortune 500 companies, she bridges artistry and innovation to empower performers in today’s digital landscape.

Bring your show ideas to this 90-minute hands-on workshop and learn how to shape a compelling concept, design your brand, and use digital tools to efficiently build and promote your cabaret—with real, practical examples you can apply right away.

The cabaret artist is often faced with a dilemma: how do I communicate the beauty and flavor of a beloved song in its original language but still make it accessible to an English speaking audience? My masterclass will teach the art of the blended song—including key passages that guide the audience in their own language while retaining the framework of the original beloved language.

In this class/workshop/masterclass you will bring your favorite songs from every era—from Plaisir d’amour and Home Sweet Home to Hymne à l’amour and Sweet Home Alabama—where we will examine the vocal technique appropriate to you and the song you’re singing, giving you the tools to make your vocalism exciting, vital and healthy. Let’s sing til we’re 100!

75-minute workshop to discuss your look, your costumes, props, set pieces and image projections… the importance of visual elements in the cabaret room

In this 90-minute workshop, we will introduce and explore the concept of the middle voice or mixed voice in singing. This vocal register is often misunderstood or overlooked by many singers, but it plays a crucial role in achieving a smooth transition between chest voice and head voice, providing vocal flexibility, control, and a richer sound palette. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the middle voice, learn exercises to develop it, and apply this knowledge to enhance their vocal technique and artistry.

This unique workshop blends the calming, body-centered practice of yoga with the expressive, liberating power of singing. Designed for all levels—no prior yoga or vocal experience required—it offers a supportive space to explore the deep connection between breath, movement, and sound.

Participants will begin with gentle yoga sequences focused on posture, relaxation, and breath awareness. These movements help release physical tension and open the body, creating the ideal foundation for vocal expression. From there, the workshop transitions into guided vocal exercises, toning, and group singing, encouraging participants to discover their natural voice.

By combining mindful movement with sound, this experience promotes stress relief, emotional expression, and a sense of inner harmony. Whether you’re looking to build confidence, deepen your breathing, or simply enjoy a creative and uplifting practice, this workshop invites you to connect with yourself in a whole new way. 60 to 75 minutes

75 to 90 minutes: Singers will engage in exercises to enhance their performance by moving with purpose, planning transitions within and between songs, and becoming comfortable to engage the audience. We will practice direct eye contact, smiling and using facial expressions to convey the song’s emotions. Mic techniques will include becoming comfortable holding the mic and using it correctly. We will practice expressive hand gestures to match the song’s energy and purpose.

How to host a show (i.e.: be the conferencier/ MC) and explore audience involvement, interaction and incorporation by means of simple games, rounds, comedy and dramatic effects.

Correct pronunciation of vowels and consonants in German songs, exploring potential exaggerations and dramatic intensifications, narrative arcs and humorous variations.
Ideally, using a specific song as an example.

Interacting with the accompanist. Follow the accompanist’s cues, but also state your musical intent clearly and confidently. This workshop may combine with Wilfried’s Feeling the Rhythm

The accompanist can follow and catch up with the soloist, but it’s still more enjoyable when you have a sense of rhythm and harmonic progression. Exercises to physically feel the rhythm.

What topics interest you most?
VOTE HERE