You’re surrounded by sound.
This is a chance to actually listen.
A facilitated group listening experience with live music, nature sounds, guided prompts, and intentional room design.
For anyone who wants a structured pause to listen, notice, and reflect.
What this is
A public ListenStill session is a guided listening experience that includes live music and sound, short prompts, private reflection, and a room designed to support attention rather than performance.
The room is prepared before you arrive: chairs, mats, and cushions as seating options; soft lighting design; a reflection card and pencil at your seat. Live music and nature sounds are woven through short guided prompts, followed by quiet private reflection. No one is asked to share aloud or perform anything.
You don't need meditation experience, musical background, or a particular belief system to attend. You just need to be willing to listen.
The session runs 60 minutes.
What it’s not
It’s not a concert: The purpose is not performance alone — you’ll be guided into listening, attention, and reflection.
It’s not a sound bath: The experience centers live string music and facilitation, without sound-healing claims or spiritualized framing
It’s not yoga / meditation class: Mats and cushions are available for comfort, but there’s no yoga instruction or Buddhist framing
It’s not therapy: ListenStill is not music therapy, counseling, or a clinical intervention. It doesn’t ask you to process or disclose anything.
Guided by a life of listening
ListenStill is directed and facilitated by Renée Anne Poulin, PhD — a musician, ensemble player, and facilitator with a doctorate in Italian/musicology. Her professional life has long centered on how people listen: to sound, to one another, to themselves, to their work teams.
Dr. Poulin created ListenStill from a simple conviction: listening is not passive. It is a practice of attention, perception, and care.
Before you arrive
Wear comfortable clothing. If you’d like, you’re welcome to bring your own mat, cushion, or throw blanket. Seating options will also be provided.
Seating is arranged in concentric circles, with no assigned seats. Due to the nature of the experience, late arrivals will not be permitted. Arriving after the session begins would disturb everyone in the room, since there's no way to enter quietly or slip into a back row.
Frequently asked questions
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No. ListenStill is not therapy, music therapy, or medical treatment. It's a facilitated group listening experience designed to create space for listening, reflection, and attention.
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No. Reflection is private. No one is asked to share aloud.
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No prior experience is required or assumed.
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Late arrivals cannot be admitted. Seating is arranged in concentric circles with no assigned seats or back row, so arriving after the session begins would disturb the group. Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start time.
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Chairs are available on the outer circle, with mats and cushions on the inner circles. Seating is first-come, first-served and there is not currently a way to guarantee or reserve a specific seat. Contact us in advance with specific needs, at hello@listenstill.co.
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There's no age minimum. The experience does ask everyone to stay quiet and settled for about 60 minutes, so it's worth considering whether that format is a good fit before attending.
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Tickets may be canceled up to 48 hours before the session start time for a full refund, minus a $5 admin fee. The $5 admin fee is non-refundable. Refunds are not available within 48 hours of the session start time, and tickets are non-transferable. Approved refunds are issued within five business days.
Hear when new sessions open
Join the ListenStill list for upcoming Kansas City session announcements and occasional notes on listening, music, and attention.