Sofia Ribeiro -bio
Sofia Ribeiro is a singer, composer, improviser, and educator from Portugal. With a strong background in jazz, a deep connection to Portuguese traditional music, and countless hours spent listening to legendary Brazilian musicians, her artistry defies conventional musical boundaries. With 11 albums as a leader and numerous collaborations, Sofia has toured in over 20 countries worldwide. She has received multiple international vocal awards, including 1st Prize at Voicingers (Poland, 2008), 1st Prize at the Crest Jazz Vocal (France, 2010), and 2nd Prize at the Brussels Young Jazz Singers Competition (Belgium, 2005).
Sofia holds a degree in Jazz Performance from ESMAE (Portugal) and a master’s degree from the Royal Conservatory of Brussels. During her studies, she participated in exchange programs
at ESMUC (Barcelona), Berklee College of Music (Boston), and the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Paris, graduating with honors. She has also completed two levels of the Estill Voice Training System.
In 2002, she began studying vocal improvisation with Rhiannon, completed the All the Way In advanced program in 2014, and later co-piloted the same course in 2017. From 2015 to 2019, she lived in New York City, working as an artist-in-residence at Carnegie Hall. She was part of the faculty for Bobby McFerrin’s CircleSongs program at the Omega Institute and in San Francisco from 2018 to 2023. In 2018, she was also invited as a TEDx speaker at CESA University in Colombia.
Over the past decade, Sofia has led numerous vocal improvisation workshops and retreats across Europe, the United States, and South America. She co-founded the European vocal ensemble PLAYground and the New York-based group The Whole Time, both dedicated to fully improvised performances. In 2019, she co-launched the Vocal Being project, offering annual retreats in Portugal.
Through teaching, performing, and improvising, Sofia continues to passionately explore the transformative power of vocal improvisation. Her work invites others on a journey toward authenticity, vulnerability, and deep connection, while nurturing artistic growth through craft, creativity, and presence.
Sofia is an absolute joy to work and learn with. Deeply knowledgeable and genuinely passionate, she has a special talent for sharing her wisdom in ways that are both inspiring and accessible. Her teaching style is a beautiful balance of kindness, clarity, and grounded guidance. Sofia creates a learning space that feels safe, supportive, and creatively alive. Her workshops are not just educational—they’re transformative experiences. If you're curious about exploring creative vocal improvisation while nurturing your inner self, her courses are not to be missed. She meets every participant exactly where they are and gently guides them toward their next step with care and insight. ~Suzzette Ortiz
( have had the honor and privilege of singing with and being guided by Sofia Ribeiro in many vocal improvisation retreats over the past several years. She is a perfect choice to share the legacy of Rhiannon‘s Vocal River by honoring its teachings while infusing it with her unique approach. Sofia’s warmth, authenticity and skill, create an environment that encourages risk-taking, and vulnerability creating a profound opportunity for connection and growth. She has created a truly wonderful Space that is her home as well as a retreat center in a tiny, medieval village outside of Barcelona. I cannot recommend this program enough guided by the extraordinarily talented and capable hands of Sofia Ribeiro. ~Lauren Lane