NYZ: Noh Chanting Workshop Series

Experience the Voice of Noh: UTAI

A 5-part workshop series from August 24th to December 7th, 2025

Noh, the Japanese classical performing art established nearly 700 years ago, is understood today as an art form to watch, but it was originally intended to be experienced. Through Noh chanting (utai) and Noh dance (mai), participants engaged with the profound meaning behind the words, and cultivated harmony between mind and body.

This summer, the Noh Society invites beginners to participate in a 5-part workshop series where you will experience utai, the vocal expression of Noh, through breath, voice, and movement.

The first session will explore Takasago, a masterpiece of Noh about pine trees that celebrates harmony, peace, and eternity. Participants will learn to ground their bodies, breathe deeply from the core, awaken the senses, and explore the unique vocal power of utai.

The second session, Center and Go Beyond, we will continue to explore we’ll explore Takasago, and participants will learn to center their body, and experience fundamental elements of Noh movement, including the formal stance (kamae), sliding steps (suriashi), and stylized dance movements (kata).

In the third session we’ll continue to explore Takasago in addition to Hagoromo, a graceful tale of a celestial maiden. The session will also include Yuya, a Noh dance through which participants can experience centering the body in motion.

In the fourth session, Put Your Heart into Words, we’ll continue to explore Takasago and Hagoromo while diving deeper into the fundamental elements of Noh movement, stylized dance movements (kata), and the Noh dance, Yuya.

In the fifth and final session, Through Noh, A Gaze Within, participants will mindfully practice the movements of Noh dance from the Takasago, and reflect upon the past year.

The series will be held at New York Zendo, a perfect setting to reconnect with yourself, clear your mind, and awaken your awareness through the power of voice. Expect a meditative, energizing experience that engages your whole body and will enable you to step into fall with renewed focus and fresh energy.

About the instructor: Mayo Miwa (三輪万葉) is a New York City-based Noh performer and instructor. She earned her Noh major from Tokyo University of the Arts and trained at the Kanze School. As Vice President of the Noh Society, she actively facilitates educational programs with Japanese actors and teaches at various US institutions. She is dedicated to sharing Noh’s timeless art, exploring how it can inspire the mind and body, and how it may continue to evolve in today’s world.

The fee for one session is $20. Please register using this link. Instruction will be in Japanese & English. No prior experience is necessary. 

• Session One | Sunday, August 24th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Session Two | Sunday, September 21st, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Session Three | Sunday, October 12th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 
• Session Four | Saturday, November 15th  2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Session Five | Sunday, December 7th, 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

*Please note that the November session has been moved from the 2nd to the 15th