Magpie is a collaboration of four dynamic singers who create music spontaneously, without a score, chart, or director. Comprised of Marta Aarli, Celeste Niehaus, Tom Weiser, and Roy Willey, the ensemble’s strength lies in its ability to open to the unknown and transform the immediacy of the moment into compelling, relatable music.

Every piece Magpie sings is improvised in the moment, never sung before, never to be sung again. Magpie shares their music to demonstrate the powerful creative effects of cooperation, connection, and community.

Magpie is (Pictured, clockwise from top left), Tom Weiser, Roy Willey, Marta Aarli, Celeste Niehaus. 

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Marta Aarli has been improvising for many years with voice, instruments and movement. She’s been influenced by multiple styles of music and dance, but finds the art form of improvisation to be her most richly satisfying and spiritual expression. She loves the practices of deep listening, following creative impulses and being totally present in the moment. This creates flow between ensemble members and leads to surprising new relationships and spontaneous collaborative compositions.

Marta trained in classical singing for ten years, has a bachelor's degree in vocal performance and a master’s degree in Transpersonal counseling. She also plays ngonis and percussion instruments with two improvisational groups. She has studied with Rhiannon and other teachers in the rich world of vocal improv. She sang and danced with Sherefe Middle Eastern band for three years and is a founding member of Magpie Vocal Improv Ensemble.

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Celeste Niehaus has been singing all her life. Early roots growing up in church choirs led to being a singer/songwriter with guitar in her young adult years. Once she joined the Denver Women’s Chorus in 1989, choir and ensemble singing has been a mainstay. In 1998, she joined Sound Circle (an 18-voice Women’s a capella ensemble) and also began studying improvisation with Rhiannon. Celeste completed Rhiannon’s intensive, All The Way In, in 2008. Since then, improvising is her passion, where she feels more authentically herself than any other time. In addition to singing with Magpie, she is currently a member of Resonance Women’s Chorus of Boulder.

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Tom Weiser is an improvising vocalist who performs in the Denver area with his jazz quartet, with his a capella quartet, and his electronic looping duo. Tom completed Music For People’s Musicianship and Leadership program, completed Rhiannon’s All The Way In vocal improv training, and earned an MA in Musical Composition from City College of New York. Tom is also skilled in African drumming, and trombone.

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Roy Willey is a musician, teacher, and song leader specializing in Circle Singing and Vocal Improvisation. He's studied intensively with some of the top names in the improv world, including Bobby McFerrin, Rhiannon, and Meredith Monk. He's also studied the art of community song leading in the Ubuntu Choir tradition, as well as the Musica do Circulo style. In addition to teaching vocal improvisation classes and leading regular Circle Singing events, Roy currently directs two community choirs.