"The particular subject, that in general could be called theology, is what motivates and guides me with creating/producing music... it is why I do what I do." (Chuquimamani-Condori )

In this five-day workshop in the mountains, Chuquimamani-Condori will offer a unique window into their creative practice with a theology-based workshop centered around the divine chuqi chinchay, incorporating personal and historical archival documents, archeological data, the bible, sound files, group discussion and outdoor activities. Using visual art references and historical sound/listening practices, we will examine the genres Chuquimamani-Condori works in, and explore how they come from urban ceremonies and practices, discussing the textures of the sounds as they relate to the cosmological/agricultural/ethical.

Through journalling and personal input, each participant's own journey through these packed five days will contribute to the program as a whole, as we mix workshop sessions at CAMP with explorations of the mountains, rivers and forests around us - late summer is idyllic here.

Belonging to the Great Pakajaqi Nation of Aymara people, Chuquimamani-Condori (aka Elysia Crampton Chuquimia) makes music by combining the traditional drum & ceremonial music from their Pakajaqueño family, with caporales, kullawada, huayño, & north American country music. Their work is said to emerge from "the sound of our water ceremonies... 40 bands playing their melodies at once to recreate the cacophony of the first aurora, the call of chuqi chinchay"; their music has been described by critics and listeners as "astonishing in its unabashed emotional vulnerability and raw, chaotic, even violent noise overload", "like stargazing, making a bonfire, profoundly uplifting and human", and "spiritual, boundary liquefying music".



WHERE AND WHEN?

The course takes place at our residential centre in Aulus les Bains. It's two hours south of Toulouse, high in the French Pyrenees, very near the border with Spain. For detailed travel information, see the transport section. The course starts on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. We advise that you arrive the evening before (02/09/2025) - dinner and accommodation that night is included. The course runs for five days, ending on Sunday night. Accommodation on Sunday night is included, then we leave on Monday morning (08/09/2025). If you decide to take the minibus with us, you will be picked- up in Toulouse at 6pm on 02/09/2025, and will be back in Toulouse at 11am on 08/09/2025.

You'll also have the option to stay at CAMP an additional 7 nights, following the workshop, for an additional cost of $379. Hang out, do some hiking, use our facilities, work on your projects and process the content of the workshop at your own pace. In 2024, just over 50% of participants stayed for the +7. We expect that number to increase in 2025 - don't miss out on the extra fun! Read more about the +7 option here.

HOW TO BOOK

To book your place on the course, click the button in the green section above. You won't pay anything right now - we'll send you a booking confirmation email with everything you need to know next. Your place is reserved without payment for three days.

You'll find a payment link in the booking confirmation email - follow the link to make a payment (either in full, or the first payment of a 4 month payment plan). In the latter case, a monthly payment plan will be put in place, so your card will be charged 1/4 of the fee today, and 1/4 each month (on the same day) for an additional 3 months. All card payments are handled by Stripe, and are extremely secure. We don't store any card data ourselves - all of this is handled securely off-site by Stripe. If you have a discount or grant code, you will be able to add it when you follow the payment link in your confirmation email.

Once you've made a payment, you'll receive another email containing your receipt, links to resources, contact information and access to our group chat to discuss the workshop with other participants.