Testimonials

Thank you for a truly magical experience. Singing with such accomplished maestri and their local choirs was an honour and a rich learning experience. Couple that with beautiful places and landscapes, a group of strangers who quickly became a choir and friends, delicious food and time to relax and explore Italy and you have created a recipe for a brilliant holiday.

Kay Hannaford, 2024 Making Music in Italy participant

---

This choir tour is one of the major life-changing events in my Life!

I highly recommend this tour for anyone who loves singing, meeting new people and being immersed in the Tuscan culture of Italy!

30 people from choirs around the world met each other in Siena Italy and with the guidance of the 3 great maestros, together we sang beautifully and in harmony. We had made a connection thru the music.

Many thanks to Jennifer Richardson of The Create Escape, who developed this event and together with her Team, made it a wonderful journey.

The two week program went smoothly, with many rehearsals and coffee breaks, the food was divine, the tours were amazing and Tuscany is a beautiful historic environment.

Thanks to Tony Backhouse from Australia, Edoardo Matterassi and Guerino Parri from Italy …. The Three Maestros who shared their expertise, knowledge, love and support to help us create a wonderful Final Performance in Florence! The best holiday ever♥️🇮🇹

Mary Cabrall, 2024 Making Music in Italy participant

---

I would encourage anyone to experience this wonderful adventure 
2024 Making Music in Italy participant

---

Our singing holiday in Tuscany was pure magic.  Our conductors were a joy and taught us so much.  They helped us come together as a group. We had a wonderful sense of achievement being able to see the improvement in our performance over time and to have the opportunity to perform in such magical places.
Ann Kinnear, 2024 Making Music in Italy participant

---

This tour exceeded all my expectations. I am an unabashed choir tragic, so singing with fellow choir nerds from all over the world was an absolute joy. Then add the luxurious surroundings, well thought out program and italian magic and my cup has fully runneth over.  Thanks Create Escape team for a fabulous time.
Cora, 2024 Making Music in Italy participant

---

Would 100% do this again and it was absolutely the best decision I have made this year and loved every second 
2024 Making Music in Italy participant

---

The singing was excellent, Tony was great, we sang some beautiful songs, and I learned a lot. The yoga was good, the company was good, and Swasti Eco and the staff were great. It was a pleasure to be back in a traditional Balinese setting and to be away from "downtown" Ubud.
For me it was both stimulating and very relaxing and that's what I needed. Above all, the experience of singing with Tony and that group was deeply satisfying. In other words, the heart of the program was a complete success.
Ian Gray, Australia
2016

Wonderful experience, very happy. It wasn’t the 1st trip with you and it won’t be our last. Highlights for us were, our togetherness, the singing, the water temple, the high priestess.
Rainer and Shanti, New Zealand


Enjoyed the singing as expected but the bonus was the extra activities like The Water Temple, High Priestess, Gusti’s house, Kecak Dance, restaurant visits and of course the Swasti experience. It was just the right place for a retreat as well as handy for outside activities.
Doreen and Bryce Hawkins, New Zealand


What can we say about Tony!  He’s just the best!
Well organized trips out, enough free time, and great singing time. Loved it all.
Isha Edwards  

Tony Backhouse was very good. He was committed to helping the participants while making it fun and non-threatening. I felt a little overwhelmed to begin due to my lack of experience in acapella singing and formal choirs. Most of the participants have been involved in either and have attended other workshops with Tony so were familiar with his style. However, after a couple of days I felt relaxed and felt I had come away with some additional skills and made new acquaintances.

Estee was simply lovely. The most perfect yoga teacher as well as being a most lovely person. My yoga experience only consisted of 3 sessions. I loved the morning sessions but found I was too tired for the afternoon sessions. I was totally inexperienced and had never done yoga before. A bit of a struggle for me but Estee helped where she could.

Obviously the singing, music and Tony’s guidance was the highlight. Next was the food which maybe tied with the Kecak performance and then the Kecak workshop. I also enjoyed the visit to Gusti’s family compound and the Art Museum and the Antonio Blanco Gallery.

Kyrstna John

Teachers

Our events are led by experts that are good enough to sing about. A dedicated bunch of people who love what they do and work hard to give you the best experience... ever.