Group Workshops

We won’t be able to run a UK workshop in 2023 as there is simply too much going on!  You can however find us at WOMAD and at Tribal Earth, offering free beginner sessions at both.  Join our mailing list below to keep in the loop.
We will again be holding our annual week-long workshop in the beautiful Aveyron, in the south of France. This time it will run Saturday to Saturday, 9th-16th September 2023  Scroll on down for details.    In Kafountine Senegal we hold a rolling open workshop and people come and go on dates to suit them as we are open for 6 months a year.

Teaching mixed abilities together works well and ultimately each player needs to find a place to sit and play on their own. At times people often pair up with others at a similar level or a more experienced player will offer to support a beginner – everyone benefits.  Group work is supportive but it is a balance of individual tuition with a little group work.  Language or lack of it has never been a problem, native English speakers are often outnumbered  and communication somehow always works beautifully!

A week-long workshop in the Aveyron costs 550€  which includes:

  • a week’s tuition
  • shared accommodation
  • loan of a kora – if needed
  • buffet breakfast and homemade lunch everyday

Three course dinner with wine is available at an extra 12 Euros per night

There are work-exchange places available for those on a budget and it is always worth asking us for a discount if you are on a low income but absolutely serious about learning the kora.  If we can help we will.  Returning students also get a €50 euros discount on the week-long workshops.

… a full-on Kora retreat among other Kora enthusiasts.

Mathias, Denmark

Tuition
Accommodation
Food
Transport
Tuition

After a group warm up session in the morning, students can find a quiet corner to practice and are visited on regular intervals from one of our expert teachers.  Some people opt to work in pairs or a small group, others  work alone.

Individual sessions run up until lunch after which is free time. You can use this as time for some extra practice or go and explore the beautiful natural surroundings and local towns.

Mas de Jammes is an ideal spot for walking, hiking and just a short drive to nearby cafés and restaurants, in the lovely bastide town of Villeneuve d’Aveyron.  There are lots of local attractions nearby and if you don’t have transport we don’t need much persuading to head for a little sight-seeing or a cup of coffee in this part of the world!  The weather in September is perfect, the heat of summer is fading, but dry and warm and the pool is perfect.

Accommodation

Included in the price, you can stay in a 4 bed shared dormitory. Some camping or campervan space possible – reduction 70€

Also available, with a surcharge, are:

  • Twin rooms
  • Double rooms
  • Family rooms
  • 1 x Small private gîte

All bedding and towels are provided in bedrooms

Non-kora playing guests are very welcome.

“Pro level teachers, amazing wonderful place, lovely kora students and friends, super support for managing the daily order (necessities, dinners, arrivals, departures)”

Carles, Catalunya

Food

Breakfast
Cereals, toast, jams, juices etc

Homemade lunch spread
Salads, quiches, dips, bread, cheese + cured meats etc.  All dishes except the charcuterie platter are vegetarian.   Let us know about any specific dietary requirements.

Dinner – optional and is 12 euros per head per night.
Main course, cheese, dessert + wine. 

Tea/Coffee Breaks
All day long!

Transport

Contact us regarding any part of your journey for help or information.  Co-ordinating all the meeting places and lifts is a major parts of the workshop preparations for Kath 🙂

Flights: Our nearest airports are Toulouse, Rodez and Brive

  • Flights to Toulouse from many destinations with Easyjet, British Airways, Flybe and many more. Our most popular pick-up.
  • Flights to Brive from Stansted with Ryanair. Transfer from there expensive unless shared.
  • Flights to Rodez  from Dublin with Ryanair or from Paris with Eastern Airways. Transfer from there expensive unless shared.

Trains: Stations are Villefranche de Rouergue, Salles-Courbaties, Figeac or Toulouse

Buses: Various services such as  Ouibus, Flixbus, Eurolines, etc come to Brive, Montauban or Toulouse.

Car Sharing: Advertise your trip through us or on car sharing websites such as BlablaCar

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