About
Nicky and Peter have been partners in music, life and art for over 30 years. In the past 20 years they have performed extensively as the duo Little Oberon. Their creative journey has always been strongly connected to nature and on a trip to the Snowy River in 2006 they found themselves spontaneously composing a piece of music while camped on its banks. This was the birth of Essence of Place, a project that sees them traveling to places across Australia and composing music arising spontaneously from their relationship with the landscape.
In 2011 they were introduced to the practice of deep listening by indigenous elders from Australia and North America while participating in the Shearwater Festival on Phillip Island. As well as participating in circles with elders they also played in the Deep Listening Band. In 2015 they were invited by the local first nations people to perform at the Quandamooka festival, Stradbroke Island Queensland.
As Essence of Place and as Little Oberon, their music has taken them on a diverse journey. They have played music for space holding to create a nurturing safe space for Indigenous people presenting papers at university. They have performed at the International Bush Adventure Therapy Conference in Sydney, The Star Light Festival Byron Bay, Mind Body Spirit Festival Melbourne, Inverloch Creative Mental Health Forum, Reconnect Festival, Yoga Tribe and many other festivals. They have played their music at many retreats, as accompanying music for yoga classes and as Sound Journeys. They have played many concerts and gigs in a wide variety of venues and have worked as professional musicians for many years.
In 2012 Nicky did diplomas in both Voice Sound Therapy and Holistic Voice Therapy to formalise the healing power of music and sound she had witnessed in 30 years of teaching singing. This scientific understanding of the healing properties of sound combine with the artistic sensibilities of many years of performing and the intuitive connection to nature in the music they offer.
Offerings.
We have played at many retreats and events over the years and can offer a variety of musical experiences and offerings. These can be combined in different ways and in different settings to create a unique retreat/event experience. Please see below for our offerings.
Essence of Place Sound Journey for deep relaxation and meditation.
A Sound Journey combines nature recordings, crystal bowls, chimes, percussion, live instruments, guitar, voice and harmony to create evocative therapeutic soundscapes and music pieces that flow into each other to take the listener into deep relaxation. A sound journey session runs for approx 50 minutes. This can be done as a stand-alone experience or combines well after a restorative yoga session.
Essence of Place music for space holding, music for yoga and back ground music.
Beautiful relaxing music for soothing the nervous system and creating a peaceful vibe. We create a live musical context to complement and enhance a slow yoga practice or other activities such as personal story telling or presentations.
Essence of Place music combined with beats for creative movement, dance and flow yoga.
Beautiful melodies, guitar, voice, drums, beats and percussion create a rich and deeply heart opening musical experience perfect for dance, movement and flow/dynamic style yoga.
Little Oberon duo. Songs of love and growth.
Songs of love and growth that invite the listener to contemplate.
This can be performed as a concert style listening experience or as background music while people are having a chai or a meal.
Singing Your True Nature.
Voice sound therapy for creative vocal expression and transformation. Nicky has her Diploma in Voice Sound Therapy and Holistic Voice Therapy from the British Academy of Sound Therapy, BAST. She has taught singing and worked as a musician for over thirty years. She teaches expressive vocal exercises to help process thoughts and emotions through sound and how to work at a deeper level with voice, breath and movement to improve health and wellbeing. Voice Sound Therapy covers a wide range of interactive exercises, fun vocal warm ups and games, vocal improvisation and expression, toning through the chakras, chakra sound and movement, exercises to release resistance, breathing exercises to calm the nervous system, as well as passive activities such as a relaxing Voice Sound Bath and singing for connection and fun.
