Slovenia
Izola,
26|07-02|08
2026
Step Into Artistry!
Escape to one of the most whimsical towns in the world and spend a week immersed in music with a community of curious, dedicated singers and world-class jazz musicians.
This retreat is for singers who feel the pull to go deeper. Perhaps you sense there’s more freedom, more play, more you waiting to come through your singing. Maybe you want to feel more confident leading the band, putting your own stamp on songs, and trusting your instincts once the music starts moving.
For one inspiring week, you’ll step out of your everyday routine and into a creative environment that strengthens your musical intuition and moves your artistry forward.
Through daily vocal classes, workshops, jam sessions, and live concerts, you’ll work closely with acclaimed musicians, exploring the art of bringing songs to life through playful interaction, deep listening, trusting your musical instincts, and leading from who you are.
Jazz becomes the model: a way of being present, listening, responding, taking risks, and trusting the moment.
You’ll explore what it means to stand alongside instrumentalists as an equal musical voice, shaping the music and communicating your ideas.
You’ll leave with a renewed sense of creative freedom, deeper self-trust, and a clearer artistic compass.
The days flow between focused artistic work, reflection, PLAY, and plenty of good food, wine, and conversation with other singers walking a similar path.
A week of deep musical exploration where singers learn to trust their instincts, step fully into their artistry, and lead from who they are.
Inside the Course
-
This week is about reconnecting with the artist within you.
Through guided exploration, reflection, and musical experimentation, you’ll strengthen the muscle of trusting your own instincts and artistic direction.
We work with repertoire you genuinely connect with so that your voice becomes a vehicle for your stories, values, and musical taste.
Here, your individuality is the starting point.
-
Jazz is more than a genre, it’s a way of approaching music.
At its heart, jazz teaches us to listen deeply, respond in the moment, and take creative risks.
Throughout the course, we explore these principles as tools for musical freedom, curiosity, and presence.
You’re not restricted to a particular style. Instead, you’ll learn how to bring these skills into whatever music you love to sing.
-
Singers are often taught to follow rather than lead.
This course helps you step into your role as an equal musical voice alongside instrumentalists.
You’ll develop the confidence, musical awareness, and communication skills needed to collaborate creatively and guide the musical direction of a band.
Leadership here isn’t about control; it’s about clarity, listening, and trust in your musical instincts.
-
Improvisation is not about being clever or showing off, it’s about connection.
Through playful exercises and supportive exploration, you’ll expand your vocal palette and discover new colours, textures, and possibilities in your voice.
We draw inspiration from many musical traditions, allowing you to develop an improvisational language that feels authentic to you.
Improvisation becomes a way of listening, responding, and expressing yourself freely in the moment.
-
Throughout the week, you’ll step into live performance supported by a rhythm section of world-class musicians.
These performances take place in a warm and supportive environment where experimentation is encouraged.
The audience, made up of the local community and fellow participants, creates a space where you can take risks, try new ideas, and grow into your role as a bandleader.
Each performance becomes part of the learning process.
-
One of the most special parts of this retreat is the community that forms each year.
A small group of singers come together to support one another, share experiences, and grow side by side.
The connections that form during the week often continue long after the retreat ends.
And of course, some of the best moments happen in between sessions, late-night jams, swims in the sea, glasses of wine, and singing together in the town square.
Retreat Schedule
Sunday 26 July
Arrival & Opening Evening
18:00 — Welcome Drinks
19:00 — Opening Concert
Monday 27 July
11:00 — Welcome Circle
13:00 — Lunch (All together at Morski Val)
Workshop Stations
15:00–16:00 — Circle the Mic / Ensemble Singing (Group 1)
16:00–17:00 — Circle the Mic / Ensemble Singing (Group 2)
17:00 — Break
20:00 — The Late Set at Manzioli Wine Bar
Tuesday 28 July
11:00 — Vocal Warm-Up & Ear Training
11:30 — Listening Session with Emilia & Fred
13:00 — Lunch
15:00–17:00 — Masterclass: Time, Groove & Musical Dialogue with Fred Thomas
17:00 — Break
20:00 — Circle Singing by the Sea & Jam Session
Wednesday 29 July
11:00 — Vocal Warm-Up
11:30 — Masterclass: Artistic Leadership with Emilia
13:00 — Lunch
Workshop Stations
15:00–18:30 — Lead with Artistry (Group 1) with Emilia & Band
16:00-17.30 — Ensemble Singing with Beth
20:00 — The Late Set at Manzioli Wine Bar
Thursday 30 July
11:00 — Vocal Warm-Up
Workshop Stations
11:30–15:00 — Lead with Artistry (Group 2) with Emilia & Band
12:30–15.00 — Ensemble Singing with Beth
21:00 — Teachers' Concert
Friday 31 July
11:00–13:00 — Internalising Groove & Time with Žiga
13:00 — Lunch
14:00 — Vocal Warm-Up
Workshop Stations
14:30–18:00 — Lead with Artistry (Group 1) with Emilia & Band
15:30–17:00 — Songwriting Studio with Freddie
19:30–21:00 — Masterclass: Contrast in Music with Freddie
Saturday 1 August
11:00 — Vocal Warm-Up
Workshop Stations
11:30–13:00
Lead with Artistry (Group 2) with Emilia + Band
Songwriting Studio with Freddie
13:00 — Lunch
14:30–16:30 — Lead with Artistry (Group 2) with Emilia + Band
20:00–22:00 — Final Concert
Sunday 2 August
11:00–13:00 — Holistic Voice with Marina
14:00 — Reflection Circle & Q&A
15:00 — Closing Song Circle (Main Square)
18:00 — Boat Trip
Meet Our Faculty
-
![]()
Emilia Mårtensson
HOST & HEAD FACILITATOR
Emilia Mårtensson is a Swedish vocalist, composer, and vocal coach/mentor based in Berlin. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London, is a Parliamentary Jazz Award–winning vocalist, the featured vocalist of the MOBO Award–winning ensemble Kairos 4tet, and she has led and toured her own projects worldwide.
She supports singers in clarifying their artistic vision, deepening their musicianship, and shaping a creative life that feels aligned, alive, and sustainable, so they can make the art they care about and show up as the artist they’ve always wanted to become.
-
![]()
Luca Boscagin
GUITARIST
Luca Boscagin is a guitarist and composer known for his refined sound, deep musical sensitivity, and versatility across jazz and contemporary music. He has extensive experience working with singers and vocal-led projects, collaborating closely with artists such as Heidi Vogel and Alice Zawadzki.Active as a performer, recording artist, and international collaborator, Luca brings a strong sense of listening, support, and musical dialogue to every setting, shaped by years of work on stage and in the studio..
-
![]()
Fred Thomas
PIANO/(Multi instrumentalist)
Fred Thomas is one of London’s most distinctive and sought-after musical polymaths — a pianist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and arranger whose work moves fluidly between improvised traditions, early music, contemporary classical, and jazz.
He is among the few artists to record for both ECM and the ECM New Series, and his performances have taken him to many of the world’s leading stages, including Carnegie Hall, the Berlin Philharmonie, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, and the Vienna Konzerthaus.
-
![]()
Marina Mårtensson
HOLISTIC VOICE
Marina Martensson is a singer, songwriter, and performing artist based in Slovenia, with a two-decade career spanning jazz, electronic music, folk, soul, and experimental projects. Her journey has taken her from the Swedish jazz scene to a record deal in Japan, resulting in two album releases and collaborations with leading musicians across Europe. For the past six years, she has been a featured singer with the Slovenian industrial rock pioneers Laibach.Alongside her artistic work, Marina is a vocal coach, holistic voice therapy practitioner, and music educator. Her approach centres on curiosity, sound, and the voice as a tool for emotional and physical well-being, supporting others in exploring and unlocking their full vocal potential.
-
![]()
Miha Koren
BASS
Miha Koren is a highly respected Slovenian bassist, songwriter. and producer with a dynamic presence in both European and international jazz circles.
After completing his master’s in jazz double bass at the University of Music and Dramatic Arts in Graz, Miha has become known for his deep groove, musical sensitivity, and stylistic versatility.
He has performed with acclaimed international musicians such as Johnathan Kreisberg and Femi Temowo.
Miha’s artistry has taken him to international stages at festivals like the Port Townsend Jazz Festival, Graz Jazz Nacht, the Ljubljana Jazz Festival, and EXIT Festival, where his deep rhythmic feel and inventive improvisations have captivated audiences across Europe and beyond.
-
![]()
Beth Aggett
CHOIR DIRECTOR/EAR TRAINING
Beth Aggett is a London-born vocalist, composer, arranger, and educator, now based in Amsterdam, whose work sits beautifully at the intersection of jazz, pop, and contemporary vocal music.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Composition & Arranging and a Master’s in Musicology, Beth brings both deep musical intelligence and playful curiosity into everything she does. She is an experienced session vocalist and topliner in the pop and electronic world, with collaborations including Rudimental, Bondax, and Wayward, alongside a rich background as a jazz vocalist, performing with big bands and orchestras.
Beth is also a highly sought-after choral arranger and musical director, currently leading five pop and jazz vocal ensembles in Amsterdam.
-
![]()
Žiga Smrdel
DRUMMER
Žiga Smrdel is a drummer, composer, and bandleader from Slovenia, active on both the Slovenian and international jazz scenes. A long-time student of Gregory Hutchinson, he has also studied with leading jazz artists including Jeff “Tain” Watts, Shai Maestro, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Joel Ross.
Žiga is the recipient of several international and national awards, including HEMI, Zlata piščal (Golden Flute), and multiple gold plaques at the Temsig competition.
With his trio Mind Tree, he won Best Composition at the Virtual Jazz Club competition and released the acclaimed debut album Catharsis.
-
![]()
Frederik Vedersø
LYRIC WRITING/MUSIC THEORY
Frederik Vedersø is a songwriter, artist, producer, and mixing engineer with over two decades of experience creating records and touring internationally. He has released music with major labels including Warner Music and Universal Music, and is widely known for his work with projects such as The White Album and The Eclectic Moniker, where songwriting, sound, and artistic identity sit at the centre.
Alongside his artistic career, Frederik has taught songwriting and music at institutions across Denmark and Germany. He is also the founder of Beyond Songwriting, a sister platform to Beyond Vocals, supporting singers and artists in developing their artistry through lyric writing, songwriting, and a deeper understanding of contrast and emotional impact in music.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
Each summer retreat is carefully curated.
If the retreat resonates with you, send me an email introducing yourself and your singing journey so far. From there we can arrange a short call to connect and explore whether the retreat feels like the right fit.
If it feels aligned, I’ll guide you through the next steps to secure your place.
The retreat is intentionally small and intimate, so spaces are limited.
-
Izola is a charming coastal town on Slovenia’s Adriatic coast, nestled between the larger towns of Koper and Piran. Once an island, it grew from a small fishing community into a peaceful seaside town known for its colourful houses, narrow streets, and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.
With a history shaped by Venetian influence, the town still carries traces of its maritime past, from the old harbour and fishing boats to the Italian-influenced architecture and cuisine.
-
Izola is located on Slovenia’s beautiful Adriatic coast, about 2 hours from Venice and 1.5 hours from Ljubljana.
The easiest ways to get there are:
✈️ Fly to nearby airports
Trieste Airport (Italy) – around 1 hour away
Ljubljana Airport (Slovenia) – around 1.5 hours
Venice Marco Polo Airport (Italy) – around 2 hours
From there you can take a shuttle, bus, or taxi to Izola.
🚆 By train
You can take a train to Koper, the nearest railway station, and then a short 10-minute taxi or bus ride to Izola.🚗 By car
If you prefer to drive, Izola is easily reachable by car and well connected to Italy, Austria, and the rest of Slovenia. -
Travel to Izola is not included. Participants are responsible for arranging their own transport to and from the retreat.
Accommodation is also booked separately, allowing you to choose an option that suits your budget and preferences.
Izola offers a range of charming guesthouses, apartments, and small hotels, many within easy walking distance of the retreat venue.
Once you sign up, a list of recommended places to stay will be shared to make planning your trip as smooth as possible.
-
€1750 (course fee only)
Early Bird Discounts and Scholarships are available.
-
The retreat fee includes:
All Beyond Vocals sessions and workshops throughout the retreat.
Not included:
Travel
Accommodation
Meals
-
In the event of travel delays or cancellation by the participant, payment is nonrefundable.
Participants are encouraged to purchase individual travel insurance to protect their trip in the event of illness, emergency, cancellation, delay, and/or disruption.
In the event that the retreat must be cancelled by Beyond Vocals due to illness, natural disaster, or other emergency, payment will be refunded in full to all participants.I
-
Izola has good accessibility for wheelchair users and people with disabilities, both around the town and along the beach area. There is also a lift providing access to the workshop space.
If you have specific accessibility requirements or medical needs, please note them in your registration form so we can support you as best as possible.
If you have any questions or concerns prior to registering, please email Emilia at beyondvocalsuk@gmail.com.
-
Email Emilia at beyondvocalsuk@gmail.com with any additional questions. I look forward to hearing form you.
Stepping Into a Living Painting
The Story Behind The Retreat
I was 23, full of jazz and adventure, not really knowing what to expect of this little town I felt so drawn to. Sixteen years had passed since my last visit to Izola, my mother’s birthplace and a cherished part of my childhood. I was curious to see what had changed.
Stepping off the bus, it felt like walking straight into a living painting that felt both new and familiar. The narrow streets were buzzing with art galleries, film festivals, live music, wine bars, and fish restaurants. It was alive in a way I hadn’t expected, and I instantly felt like I had arrived home.
-
Izola had always held a special place in my heart. In the 1980s, my family visited often, but the Balkan War in the 1990s interrupted our ties. That longing to reconnect stayed with me, and during a gap year from my jazz studies in London, I decided to travel for eight months across Europe with Slovenia as my final, most important stop.
My connection to this place runs deep. My grandparents, Albert and Ana-Emilia, were peasants from the rural countryside of Slovenia. In the late 1950s, during a wave of political and economic upheaval, they left Slovenia before finally settling in Sweden where I grew up before moving to London at 18 to pursue music.
But it was here, in Izola at 23, that everything seemed to come full circle. As always, when I spend time in Izola, my perspective shifted and new dreams began to take shape.
I imagined late-night jam sessions by the sea, concerts tucked between narrow streets, and a space where singers like myself could grow creatively, collaborate with brilliant instrumentalists, perform for live audiences, and soak up the magic of Izola with all it has to offer, the sea swims, the boat trips, the local wines, and the music drifting into the night.
That vision became the seed for The Beyond Vocals Artist Retreat: a week dedicated to developing musicianship, artistry, performance, and leadership, while guiding singers toward discovering their unique artistic voice.
Now, more than a decade later, the dream is very much alive and thriving.
Beyond Vocals has grown into more than a summer course. It has become a community and a family of talented singers who continue to support and inspire each other far beyond our time in Izola.
What I am most proud of is not just the course itself, but the friendships, the collaborations, and the incredible network of musicians that have blossomed from this little dream.
Now in its 12th year, this course has become a special home for singers, and each year brings something new. And this summer, we gather once again to learn, to create, and to celebrate the magic of music in this whimsical town that, after all these years, feels even more like home.
Glimpses
