Clay Instruments of the Earth
A live, hands-on 4-day gathering exploring clay, breath, sound, and creative expression.
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
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Day 1 — Building & Anatomy Foundations
Explore the world of clay instruments while beginning the foundational forms of your whistle, ocarina, flute, and shaker.
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Day 2 — Activating Sound
Refine your instruments by activating their primary sound channels and continuing to shape each form.
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Day 3 — Harmony Scales & Design
Learn to create musical harmonic scales while refining both the sound and artistic details of your instruments.
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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.
FAQ
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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.
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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 shared 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.
Begin Your Journey
Limited Spots
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.
Clay Instruments of the Earth: Ocarina Explorations
Part 2 — open to those who have completed the beginning workshop or have prior clay instrument experience
Shaped Ocarinas
Double Ocarinas
Triple Ocarinas
Mini Ocarina Necklaces
Sculptured Ocarinas
Sound Masks
“From earth to form, from breath to sound.”
Clay Instruments of the Earth: Flute Explorations
Part 2 — open to those who have completed the beginning workshop or have prior clay instrument experience