Bless Those, O Lord, Who Love the Beauty of Thy House
TLAA 2027 Winter
February 7 - 13, 2027
TLAA 2027 Summer
August 15 - 21, 2027
Byzantine Chant & Iconography
The Liturgical Arts Academy offers 2 weeklong training academies per year in both Chant and Iconography, plus 1 Foods in Faith Academy in February. To join the Academies, you must complete an application process. Admission is contingent upon approval
*TLAA-Winter will be for Beginners 102, Intermediates & Advanced Levels, February 7 - 13, 2027
*TLAA-Winter will offer FOODS in FAITH
TLAA-Summer for Intermediate, Advanced & Master Class, August 15 - 21, 2027
Application process for 2027-Winter will open September 26, 2026.
Students engage in 5-6 hours of daily instruction within their specific disciplines, complemented by focused evening programs. The structure includes morning and evening worship services, giving the chant students an opportunity to put their learning into practice with their instructors’ guidance. The Liturgical Arts Academy (TLAA) offers a unique and vital in-person training that will enhance your on-going study of the liturgical arts.
ICONOGRAPHY ACADEMY read more
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Who We Are
…and how God led us here. Find out about our mission and the dedicated group of people who make this program happen.
Praise the Lord!
The Liturgical Arts Academy trains those who want to learn Byzantine chant or iconography in the tradition of the Orthodox Christian Church. The Academy is a one-week intensive program led by expert teachers. It is offered twice a year - in early February and in late August . Registration fees are reduced through grants and donations from those who support the Liturgical Arts.
One is Holy, One is Lord. More than just a classroom, TLAA offers a comprehensive atmosphere of prayer, study, fellowship, and communion with other faithful servants who care deeply for the the Church and the worship of the Holy Trinity.
The Alexios Retreat Center in the foothills of South Carolina is the perfect setting for spiritual renewal, as we overlook the lake, walk the paths and worship in the magnificent Panagia Chapel.
Quality of the Academy
The Byzantine Chant Academy faculty includes highly-respected and accomplished chanters and teachers: John Michael Boyer, Samuel Herron, Gabriel Cremeens, and Photini Downie Robinson. Students have up to 6 hours of classroom instruction daily, along with morning and evening services such as Matins, Vespers, Compline, Agiasmos, Divine Liturgy and Vigil.
The Byzantine Iconography Academy is led by Fr. Anthony Salzman who is known for his patience and skill at teaching students how to paint well. Attendees improve in their artistic use and understanding of color, form and line according to the Byzantine technique.
Both chanters and Iconographers build relationships with other artists, learning from each other as well as the instructors. This community extends beyond the workshop, providing a resource for continued learning, fellowship and faith.
What People Are Saying
The past three years I have had the immense pleasure in participating in The Liturgical Arts Academy, attending at the intermediate, advanced, and master class levels respectively. Each year it continues to be one of my favorite weeks of the year….
This year I had the privilege of leading one of the choirs designated through the week. Between this task, the multi-hour master level chant workshops, break out sessions, evening programs, and drinks with my fellow liturgical nutcases it was the most fulfilling, impactful, and educationally rich year yet.
In addition to the familiar faces of exceptional cantors and teachers, Samuel Herron and John Boyer (my own teacher), was Stelios Kontakiotis, a cantor I had sunk many hours listening to and to chant and be taught by him this week was incredible. The instruction I received from him and John were worth their weight in gold. And along with Samuel they remind me just how deep this pool is.
—2026 Student, Samuel Hale
“I was blessed to spend a week at The Liturgical Arts Academy learning Byzantine Chant, along with 6 of my fellow parishioners. It was an amazing and inspirational group to be with in class, fellowship and daily worship.”