The Estill Retreat is a 5‑day, in‑person Estill Voice Training® Level 1 and Level 2 course, held at The Food Library in Northampton from 3–7 August 2026.

It offers an immersive week of practical training, technical exploration and collaborative learning in a retreat‑style setting.

The retreat is designed for singers, actors, voiceover artists, voice coaches, teachers and anyone who uses their voice professionally and would like to deepen their technical understanding and practical control.

It is suitable both for people new to Estill and for those returning to revisit Levels 1 and 2 in greater depth.

The course is led by Leon Trayman, Estill Master Trainer, Mentor and Course Instructor (EMCI), and Gemma Boaden, Estill Master Trainer (EMT).

Both bring extensive experience in performance, pedagogy and Estill Voice Training, and there are also optional opportunities for 1:1 coaching and Laryngeal Manual Therapy during the week.

Across the 5 days, you will cover:

• Estill Level 1; including the 13 Figures for Voice,
• Estill Level ; including the 6 Voice Qualities.
• Teaching includes:
  • Guided practise
  • Practical application
  • Opportunities to explore how the work connects to singing, speaking, text and performance.

Yes. The Retreat covers the full Estill Voice Training Level 1 and Level 2 course content.

Once you have completed the course and your Estill Voice International registration requirements, your participation can be recorded as completion of Levels 1 and 2.

Teaching days run approximately 09:30–18:30 and include:

• Whole‑group teaching
• Practical exercises
• Supervised exploration
• Discussion
• Application work.

The week also includes:

• A scheduled yoga or embodiment session (TBC)
• Optional evening 1:1 coaching or Laryngeal Manual Therapy available separately.

No previous Estill experience is required. The course is designed to be accessible to first‑time participants, whilst still offering depth for experienced voice users and teachers.

Yes. The Foundations of Estill Voice Training® online module is part of the Estill Voice International resources package and should be completed by the end of the course.

All of the key content is also covered in person during the retreat, so the week itself supports you in understanding and contextualising the material.

You may find it helpful to arrive with:

• A sense of your vocal goals,
• Any questions you want to investigate
• Some repertoire or spoken text that you would like to explore through the work.

If you have already started the Foundations module, you are welcome to bring any questions arising from it.

This August Retreat is in person only; it is not available online.

If you are looking for an online option, Leon also offers separate online Estill Voice Training at other points in the year.

The Retreat takes place at The Food Library in Northampton.

Click here for their location on Google Maps

It is a distinctive venue with a strong food and hospitality ethos, helping to create a more nourishing and focused learning environment than a standard classroom setting.

Yes. If you have specific access requirements, it is best to get in touch before booking so that these can be discussed in advance.

Venue‑specific details such as facilities and access arrangements can also be clarified directly.

Chef‑prepared lunches are available on site and are part of the retreat experience, with food prepared by Michael Mayhew and The Food Library team. 

Most dietary requirements can be accommodated with advance notice.

You should share any relevant dietary information when booking or as early as possible so that suitable arrangements can be made.

Yes. The Retreat includes a yoga or embodiment session as part of the week’s programme.

In addition, optional evening 1:1 coaching or Laryngeal Manual Therapy sessions are available by separate arrangement.

Yes. Limited evening 1:1 coaching sessions with Leon or Gemma are available during the Retreat by separate arrangement.

These can be useful if you would like more individual application to repertoire, spoken text or specific technical questions.

Yes, there are limited opportunities to book Laryngeal Manual Therapy sessions during the week with Gemma, subject to availability.

Information about booking optional evening sessions is provided after registration or during pre‑course communication. As availability is limited, early expression of interest is recommended.

The total cost has two parts: your tuition fee, paid to Leon Trayman Coaching, and a separate Estill Voice International registration and resources fee.

The Estill resources fee for Level 1 and 2 is $185 (USD), although if you have already completed a Level 1&2, there is a reduced 'returner' fee, so be sure to register with the same email address so the system can identify you.

The Estill Voice International fee covers the official course resources and associated registration items, including:

• Foundations of Estill Voice Training® module
• Level 1 and 2 materials.

It is separate from tuition, food, travel, accommodation and any optional 1:1 or therapy sessions.

Registration is normally completed in two stages:

1. Booking and paying tuition via Leon’s booking system.
2. Completing the Estill Voice International registration and resources payment.

This order is important, because your place on the course is secured through the tuition booking first.

Yes. A limited EARLYBIRD offer is available to the first 6 attendees and includes an additional bonus session, either with Leon or with Gemma, depending on the offer terms.

Because this is both capacity‑limited and time‑sensitive, it is best confirmed at the point of booking.

Booking for the August 2026 Retreat remains open until 24 hours before the start of the course.

As places are limited and the course requires a viable cohort, early booking is strongly advised.

Tuition refunds and cancellations are governed by Leon Trayman Coaching’s course terms, which should be reviewed at the point of booking.

Estill Voice International resources fees are managed separately and follow Estill’s own terms.

No. Accommodation is not included in the retreat fee.

articipants are responsible for arranging their own stay in Northampton.

The Food Library is located in Northampton, and further travel and venue details can be shared in pre‑course information or clarified directly with the venue.

If you are travelling from outside the area, it is sensible to plan accommodation and transport early.

You may wish to bring comfortable clothes for practical work, anything you need for note‑taking, and any repertoire or spoken text you would like to explore during the week.

As the resources provided by Estill Voice International are digital, it is advisible to bring a tablet or computer on which to work. Resources can be printed, but this is not a service provided by Leon Trayman Coaching or Estill Voice International.

Yes. On completion of the course and the relevant Estill Voice International registration requirements, you will receive a Certificate of Attendance for Level 1 and Level 2.

This reflects completion of the standard course content with authorised Estill trainers.

It does not certify you in any way to teach Estill Voice Training in an official capacity - see below for further information.

No. Estill VoicePrint™ is separate from the Retreat tuition and separate from the standard resources fee unless explicitly stated otherwise.

If you wish to use VoicePrint, that would usually require its own subscription or purchase through Estill Voice International.

Follow‑up options include:

• Invitation to join the 'Estill with Leon' Facebook Group
• Ongoing access to the EVT Learning Portal on leontrayman.co.uk.
• Further study:
  • On Estill courses
  • Towards Estill Figures Proficiency (EFP)
  • Towards Estill Master Trainer (EMT) Certification
• Additional 1:1 coaching
• Continued professional development with Leon and Gemma.

Further information is typically shared during or after the course.

If you cannot attend in person, the August retreat will not be suitable because it is not offered online. However, Leon also runs alternative Estill training formats at other times, including online study pathways.

Yes. Alternative course formats may allow you to complete the same Estill training across a different schedule, including online weekly teaching combined with intensive in‑person elements.

Current options should always be checked against Leon’s course listings and Estill Voice International’s listings.

Completion of Levels 1 and 2 is part of the broader Estill training pathway, but it is not, by itself, the whole certification process.

Email leon@leontrayman.co.uk for more information regarding certification pathways whether you have completed a course with Leon or another Estill Mentor Course Instructor (EMCI)