Testimonials
The Workshops
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-Summer, Samuel Hale
This was my first visit to the Alexios Retreat Center, and it was a gift in every sense. It is a beautiful place, and for me it was a true retreat--the first spiritual retreat I’ve attended in a very long time, and certainly the longest. The setting itself created space for prayer, focus, and renewal. The daily rhythm of morning and evening services was especially meaningful. Beginning and ending each day in worship gave the entire week a sacred frame. It truly felt like a “rising and setting” with the Lord. That steady liturgical heartbeat shaped everything else we did.
The food was excellent, and the shared meals were just as nourishing as the instruction. Sitting at table with students from the Chant, Iconography, and Foods in Faith programs created a real sense of fellowship and shared purpose.
Our Byzantine Chant program was demanding, in the best way. The curriculum required real focus and dedication from all of us, and we were grateful for the opportunity to learn from such exceptional instructors as John and Sam. To absorb so much in such a short time required commitment from both students and faculty, and it was clear that a great deal of preparation and care went into making it possible.
Even though our days were full and the class time was intense, the overall atmosphere remained relaxed and organic. Everything seemed to fit together naturally. That kind of experience doesn’t happen by accident. It reflects the thoughtful planning and hard work of you and the entire faculty and staff, both before and during the Academy. I left strengthened spiritually, enriched musically, and grateful for the opportunity to have been part of it.
With appreciation,
- - - 2025-Winter, Will Moye
“Learning Iconography with Fr. Anthony was such a blessing...this single class has helped me improve my technique so much.”
——— Z.M. from Georgia
“An incredible and unforgettable experience. Not only being able to learn from some of the highest caliber of chanters in the English speaking world, but to join in daily worship with all the attendees and offer our prayers to the Holy Trinity with one voice was such a tremendous thing. The staff was attentive and passionate about their particular craft and eager to share their knowledge so that we may continue to guard and pass along the whole of the beautiful deposit of faith we have so generously been given. I cannot say enough good things about this Academy and I pray it continues to grow! May God grant TLAA many many years of fruit-bearing work in Our Lord's vineyard.”
——— A.S. from North Carolina
“I spent this past week at the Liturgical Arts Academy. It was wonderful. I spent five hours in an advanced chant class and two to three hours a day chanting in services. I was asked to lead a women's choir at three of the vespers services and it was one of the highlights of my week. It was so nice getting to chant with other women! I'm looking forward to more of this!”
——— A.H. from Pennsylvania
“I'm thoroughly worn out, but I learned an enormous amount while there - practical application of quite a few ornaments got solidified in my mind, and I've really needed that. Sooo much chanting...my voice is a bit worn out. …Thank you so much to all who made this possible!”
——— A.H. from North Carolina
“Every morning I would get up when it was still dark and walk around the lake to the cathedral (the first morning the rooster crowed just as I opened the door and walked outside!). It was still dark as I walked into the cathedral, but candles faintly illuminated the interior; it was so beautiful, inducing deep reverence and desire for prayer. I venerated the icons, prayed, and waited serenely for Father Andreas to begin the service.”
The Academy
“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.”
——— I.V. from North Carolina
“It is difficult to think of the fact that tonight we aren’t back in the Catholicon at the Diakonia Center for Vespers, and tomorrow will not start with our wonderful 6:45 am Matins, and that we won’t spend 5 1/2 hours together in lessons, and 3 hours of meals, and another hour of some interesting, inspiring, enlightening talk by a leader in the field of the Liturgical Arts. My body and voice both thank me for the absence of these things, but my heart and soul long for them…I thank all the students of TLAA for dedicating themselves to making the Liturgical life of their respective parishes more beautiful, more coherent, more inspiring. My heart already cannot wait until the end of next May, when we will do it all over again.”
——— J.M.B. from Oregon
“Last week was tough, but so rewarding.”
——— P.V. from North Carolina
“Every night we had a lecture after dinner. I never thought I would find textiles so interesting or would want to read a book on the subject, but she was so knowledgeable and so passionate about her subject that she made me want to read her book”
“The class itself was intense. As this is a one-week course it moves very fast. Sometimes it felt like my head was spinning, but every time I felt lost and wanted to give up, I would make a breakthrough of some sort or another. They throw so much at you so fast, but it’s amazing how much of it sticks. We worked for three hours in the morning, broke for lunch with time after for relaxation or exploration or whatever we wanted, and then reconvened for two and a half hours in the afternoon”
“I gained so much from this experience! The best part of all was the people I met. I shared experiences and conversation and got to know many wonderful Orthodox Christians; each day I would have a fascinating discussion, usually over a meal, with someone I hadn’t talk to yet”
“If you would like to learn the rudiments of one of these liturgical arts, and if you ever have a chance to do this, don’t pass it up. I feel so blessed by the experience. After all the services and all the classes and all the conversation I left with a feeling of superabundant Grace, such as I felt after Holy Week this year.”
——— M.Y. from New Mexico