Clay Instruments of the Earth
A live online 4-day gathering exploring clay, breath, sound, and creative expression.
October - November Workshops now Open
What We Will Create
Whistle
Ocarina
Overtone Flute & Shaker
Discover the art of shaping clay into sound through a live, 4-day creative journey. Create four foundational clay instruments—a whistle, ocarina, flute, and shaker—while exploring the relationship between clay, breath, and sound. Open to all levels, these presence-based workshops are taught live without recordings, inviting full immersion as your own creative voice and designs naturally emerge.
Our Curriculum
-
Day 1 — Building & Anatomy Foundations
Explore the world of clay instruments while beginning the foundational forms of your whistle, ocarina, flute, and shaker.
-
Day 2 — Activating Sound
Refine your instruments by activating their primary sound channels and continuing to shape each form.
-
Day 3 — Harmony Scales & Design
Learn to create musical harmonic scales while refining both the sound and artistic details of your instruments.
-
Day 4 — Design, Q&A & Community Sharing
Complete your instrument designs, participate in an open Q&A, and gather for a community sharing to reflect on our creative journeys together.
Workshop Materials
Participants are responsible for obtaining their own materials prior to the workshop. Materials can be sourced locally in person or ordered online, depending on what is available in your area.
Please review the materials list below before registering to make sure you are able to obtain everything needed. I recommend gathering your materials well in advance, as some items may take additional time to source or ship.
What can I expect during each workshop day?
Each workshop day is 4 hours long and includes a guided, step-by-step walkthrough of the day’s clay instrument-making process.
Everyone works with clay at their own creative pace, so there is no expectation to be at the exact same stage as everyone else. You are encouraged to move at the pace that feels supportive for you.
When we connect with clay, it can open a powerful creative portal where time seems to pass very quickly. Four hours can move by before we even realize it! If you naturally enjoy taking more time with your creative process, I encourage you to set aside additional time outside of the workshop hours to continue working with your piece.
Giving yourself this extra space allows you to honor the pace you need without feeling rushed throughout our four days together.
“From earth to form, from breath to sound.”
Begin Your Journey
Sliding Scale Offering
Limited Spots
Payment Plans Available
A live, online, hands-on exploration of clay, breath, and sound. In this 4-day immersive workshop, you’ll create four foundational instruments—whistle, ocarina, flute, and shaker—while learning how form and airflow come together to create voice and resonance.
Open to all levels, this journey offers step-by-step guidance alongside space for your own creative expression and sculptural design. There will be no recordings, as presence is encouraged as part of this traditional way of learning.
For the best outcome, it’s recommended to reserve these days for creation—even beyond the live sessions—as you may naturally find yourself continuing the process even after our group sessions.
Visit the webpage for full details.
A live, online, hands-on exploration of clay, breath, and sound. In this 4-day immersive workshop, you’ll create four foundational instruments—whistle, ocarina, flute, and shaker—while learning how form and airflow come together to create voice and resonance.
Open to all levels, this journey offers step-by-step guidance alongside space for your own creative expression and sculptural design. There will be no recordings, as presence is encouraged as part of this traditional way of learning.
For the best outcome, it’s recommended to reserve these days for creation—even beyond the live sessions—as you may naturally find yourself continuing the process even after our group sessions.
Visit the webpage for full details.
Scholarships to BIPOC Available
Scholarship spaces are available to support BIPOC participants who feel called to this work. These offerings are rooted in a desire to make clay, sound, and ancestral practices more accessible to BIPOC communities.
If you feel aligned and would like to be considered, please reach out to info@vianneylopez.com with a short introduction about yourself, your connection to this work, and what is calling you to participate at this time.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
No prior experience is required for intro workshops. These sessions are designed to guide beginners and all levels step-by-step through foundational forms and sound activation.
-
All clay instrument workshops are taught live and in real time.
These are indigenous-based, hands-on gatherings guided through a live teaching approach. Sessions are not prerecorded. -
Workshops are not recorded in order to preserve the integrity of the live teaching space.
If you’re unsure about scheduling, it’s recommended to join when you can be fully present. -
A materials list is available to download on the section of this page “Workshop Materials” I will also send you the Materials list after registration so you can prepare ahead of time.
Most workshops use accessible tools and clay that can be sourced locally or online. -
Yes. Private studio sessions are available for those seeking personalized guidance or support with specific instruments in different timezones.
You can visit this Link. -
Yes. We will be working with ceramic clay, which needs to be fired in a kiln to become durable and functional.
I recommend finding a local ceramics studio that offers firing services, or connecting with a ceramic artist in your area who offers kiln firings. You can also search for nearby kilns through Kiln Share at kilnshare.com
Many community studios are happy to fire work for a small fee, even if you didn't create it there. Be sure to ask if they have a certain clay requirements they work with.
-
Online workshop registrations are non-refundable. If you’re unable to attend your scheduled workshop, your registration may be transferred to a future available workshop date.
Please reach out as soon as possible if you need to transfer your registration so we can find an upcoming date that works for you.