Workshops for Adults & Teens
Fall 2025
Anjali Budreski, BA, MS is a Certified Yoga Teacher and Life Coach specializing in Grief, Loss and Life Transitions. She is trained in the Grief Mentor Method and working on a Grief Coaching Certification. Anjali has made her home in Vermont for 25 years.
Since her Dad died unexpectedly in June of 2024, and her Mom received a Stage 4 Breast Cancer diagnosis shortly after, she has been practicing leaning into grief allowing grief to be her greatest teacher.
Find out more about Anjali at anjalibudreski.com
Grief Group with Anjali Budreski
4 Sundays, 11:30-1 pm at The Phoenix, October 19 & 26 + November 2 & 9
Sliding scale* for the workshop (4 sessions) and a ticket to Adam Tendler’s Inheritances Project at the Barre Opera House, November 16th, 2 pm, $130-210. No refund for missed sessions. Adults only, workshop capped at 20 participants.
Join us for a very special series honoring grief, all the grievers out there (which is most of us) and the grieving process. Come as you are and join us for a relaxed, 4 part Sunday series in Waterbury, Vermont.
Each one of us, at one time or another, will experience grief and loss and perhaps more accurately, over and over again. But how do we live with grief? What does it mean to grieve consciously? And, are we willing to lean into and toward grief, rather than running away? We will explore these questions and so much more during each Sundays 90 minute session.
All grievers are welcome to come as you are and join us in safe, compassionate, non-judgmental space. Your tears are welcome, your questions are welcome and even yourJOY is welcome as we explore what is most natural- the human grieving process.Whether you lost someone you love last week or 10 years ago, you are welcome in this circle. Or, perhaps you are grieving the current political climate, the loss of a marriage or partnership, or the loss of a pet or a dream.
Embedded within grief is a hidden opportunity to find new growth, healing and meaning- if we allow ourselves to be right with it. And, being with our grief in community, with other grievers, is one of the most potent ways to co-regulate and heal our nervous system during times of great change, stress and loss. Through a guided grounding meditation, heartfelt sharing, journaling, and a different focus each week- we will begin the process of acknowledging, honoring and transforming out grief. Participants will hopefully leave this series with increased grief awareness, daily practices to support themselves, plus greater self-compassion and inner peace.
** Choosing to share in this group is totally optional. You are more than welcome to simply enjoy the quiet connections, listen and participate in the ways that are just perfect for you. Please don't hesitate to reach out to us if you have any questions.
Adam Tendler, pianist
“If the death was a shock, the inheritance was a puzzle... And so, cash in hand, Tendler called a rather glittering cast of his friends and favourite composers to see if they would write works touching in some way on connection and loss." —Stir Vancouver
“Adam Tendler is known as one of contemporary classical music's most intentional and daring pianists. Indeed, the Barre native's latest project, Inheritances, is an intimate, gratifying endeavor achieved through a remarkable bond with his expanding network of renowned musicians… It confirms Tendler's reputation as a bold and instinctive soloist, one whose delicacy matches his intensity.” — Seven Days Vermont
Inheritances features brand new works by an all-star lineup including Laurie Anderson, Devonté Hynes, Nico Muhly, inti figgis-vizueta, Pamela Z, Ted Hearne, Angélica Negrón, Christopher Cerrone, Marcos Balter, Missy Mazzoli, Darian Donovan Thomas, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Scott Wollschleger, Mary Prescott, Timo Andres, and John Glover.
Evolving Musicianship
6 Thursdays (October 16 - December 4), Performance 7th afternoon, $245, open to adults and teens (high school and up)
Application details here.
The course entitled Evolving Musicianship is directed by Rich Davidian over 6 rehearsal sessions and one performance at The Phoenix in Waterbury. Practice between sessions is expected. We hope to achieve a large combo instrumentation, and study a variety of material from the entire jazz repertoire. In that regard, the makeup of the rhythm section will be limited to 1/instrument. The horn section makeup will be more flexible. Arrangements will evolve and rehearsals will be directed toward a final performance - as well as exploring key concepts of good musicianship and an understanding of jazz conventions. Personal analysis and growth will be at the center of the work done over the duration of the workshops.
The cost of the course will be $35/session/participant – or $245 per participant – to be paid through TURNmusic. Participants are expected to attend every session and performance. No refunds will be available.
As time allows, elements of jazz history, jazz combo techniques and conventions, tonal maturity, personal creativity, reading skills, rhythmic and ensemble integrity will be explored. Special emphasis will be placed on LISTENING, SOUND, RHYTHM, IMPROVISATION, and NUANCES OF THE JAZZ IDIOM. A balance of attention to group dynamics and of personal growth will be a goal of the entire course.
Students of all ages are welcome (suggested high school and up). A minimum level of instrumental and reading skills will be required - as defined by the director - through submission of a live video recording.
Sessions are proposed for the following dates – all at he Phoenix in Waterbury. A grand piano is provided. Participants should plan on providing all other needed equipment.
Oct 16 7-9pm
Oct 30 7-9pm
Nov 6 7-9pm
Nov 13 7-9pm
Nov 20 7-9pm
Dec 4 7-9pm
Dec 6 2-4pm [back-up session - in case of an earlier cancellation]
Dec 7 2-4pm [performance: 3-4pm]
Adam Tendler: Inheritances Project
Sunday November 16th, 12-1 pm, sign up here.
*Includes a ticket to Adam Tendler’s Inheritances Project at the Barre Opera House, November 16th, 2 pm
Acclaimed author, pianist and composer, Adam Tendler, leads a talk on processing grief through creative practice.
After his father’s unexpected death, pianist Adam Tendler used his entire inheritance, a wad of cash received in a parking lot, to commission new piano works from a broad spectrum of
today’s most exciting and recognized composers — his friends — to help him process and
reconcile his loss, while exploring the idea of inheritance itself. Woven into one intimate and
unforgettable program, Inheritances tells a universal story of lineage, loss, and place — born from private grief and transformed into a meditation on confronting the past while facing the future.
Adam will lead a community discussion exploring grief, process, 'outsider art,' identity, and the various natures of inheritance. The talk will incorporate live performance and excerpts from his correspondence with the participating composers. Participants will learn more about the unorthodox process of developing Inheritances, and how this project has been used by him, the composers, and its audiences, as a vessel to confront the past while facing the future.
In Adam’s words: “The goal for Inheritances, from the start, had been to provide a vessel through which I could connect to my elusive father, process my grief and reconcile with my past. But I also hoped that writing these pieces would provide a similar vessel for the composers, and ultimately that this shared experience would extend to our listeners.”
The Inheritances program is an invitation for us to be part of the process. Learn more: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/03/arts/music/adam-tendler-inheritances.html
This workshop is made possible in part by support from Vermont Humanities. Scholarships available, please inquire here.
Rich Davidian taught public school instrumental music for 40 years. Rich retired from teaching in 2010. He is currently the camp administrator and an ensemble director for the adult jazz camp, Jazz in the Mountains.
Rich likes all kinds of music. The kind he's MOST familiar with is big band jazz. He's played lead alto and directed the Vermont Jazz Ensemble for 48 years. Here's parts of a recording the VT Jazz Ensemble did 25 years ago.
He also likes Snarky Puppy, Funk, New Orleans, Bebop, Cool Jazz, Post Bop & Latin. And more. He's played in Symphony Orchestras (clarinet) wind ensembles, pit bands and behind the Temptations. He has lots of experience.
He knows what he likes to hear. He's not shy about asking for it. He sets high standards - balanced with patience - and humor.
Rich also ran an audio recording business, Stolen Moments Audio, and did live sound reinforcement & recording for musical & community groups.
He lives in East Montpelier with his wife Shawn - and has 2 grown sons (also musicians.)
“It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.”
— Squarespace