Education
Ayala Moriel School of Perfumery & Aromatic Arts offers an extensive range of courses, workshops and classes pertaining to the marvelous world of scent. Whether if you are a professional looking to deepen your knowledge, a budding perfumer, or a fragrance lover following your curiousity and create something you can call your own - Ayala Moriel has developed curriculum for all levels ranging from educational salons for perfume afficinados, DIY workshop to create your own scented products and perfumes, as well as a four year long professional natural perfumery training program.
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Ayala Moriel Parfums
Art of Perfumery Online Course #3: Chypre
On sale $1,200.00 $700.00
Visit product page →A rare opportunity to study with Ayala Moriel - a master and world-leader of modern Natural Perfumery - and truly immerse yourself in the world of perfumery from the comfort of your own home.
The Chypre online course covers studying the raw materials, learning about the history of the Chypre fragrance family and the sub-categories in this family. Students will be introduced to composition concepts such as perfume structure, and with basic technical skills such as how to blend an alcohol based perfume, how to write a formula. IN the practical workshops that take place each afternoon, students will be building accords and creating simple solid perfumes, as well one representative perfume from the Chypre family.
Feature workshop: Chypre BirdsCourse Schedule and Structure:
The course runs a full week - Sunday through Thursday from 8:30am to 3:30pm, and Friday is a short day (9am-12 noon), and includes a summary of the entire week, celebration and handing out certificates of completion. The course takes place at Ayala Moriel's new studio in Clil, Israel.The mornings (8:30am-12pm) are dedicated to theory and studying olfaction (discerning between notes). The afternoons (1pm-3:30pm) are a lab session which is dedicated to the practical implementations of what was studied in the morning, i.e. weighing, measuring, recording, formulation, composition and compounding.
The fee includes all materials and supplies used during the course, as well as a homemade vegetarian/vegan lunch, and fragrant refreshments served daily.
Students are required to purchase a course textbook, and are also encouraged to procure their own Basic Essences Kit prior to their first course start date. The same book is used throughout the entire program. It is recommended that you complete the Fragrant Note Study Guide with all your essences from the Basic Essences Kit prior to attending this course.
Prerequisites: Must have completed the Citrus & Colognes Week and/or Lab 101, and the Fougère course.
Course Schedule and Structure:
The course runs for 12 weeks (3 months), with weekly sessions on Zoom at regular times. Each session runs for 1.5hrs, with time for olfactive studies, lecture and Q&A for students to address problem-solving, feedback for assignments, etc.The fee includes all aspects of participation, except for the raw materials. These must be purchased separately (you will receive a list of materials once you've registered to the course). If you require assistance with sourcing, contact us for a customized essences kit (available for students only).
While you can register for the correspondence courses anytime, participation in the live classes is available only at specific dates and times. It is recommended to register well in advance so you have time to get set up with all the materials, and can benefit fully from the live classes.
Alternatively, you can study and progress at your own pace and watch only the recordings (if you're unable to attend the live class time).
The written materials (or self-study guide) includes:
- List of raw materials that are key components for this particular genre (AKA Fragrance Family)
- List of tools and equipment you will need for this module
- List of the exercises in the book, and in which order to perform them
- Additional reading materials and links to relevant suppliers
- Additional creative thinking and exercises that are not in the book, and usually take place at the week-long sessions at the studio.
- Online support via the course's study group. You will gain unlimited access to this group, and get to meet future alumni from around the world
- Access to the video tutorials relevant to this course
- Receive personal, in-depth, insightful feedback for 4 Chypre perfumes you've created as the practical assignments in this course
We recommend that you also purchase the essences kit we've designed for this module, which are the raw materials unique to each module, and which are important for completing the practical components of the course.
Prerequisites: Must have completed the Citrus & Colognes Week and/or Lab 101, Chypre and/or Fougère courses.
It is important that you take the modules in the order that they are offered, as follows:
- Citrus & Colognes + Lab 101
- Fougère
- Chypre
- Opulent Perfumes
- Florientals
- Floral Bouquets
- Soliflores
- Leather & Tobacco
- Marine & Aquatic
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Ayala Moriel Parfums
Art of Perfumery Online Course #4: Opulent Perfumes
$600.00
Visit product page →A rare opportunity to study with Ayala Moriel - a master and world-leader of modern Natural Perfumery - and truly immerse yourself in the world of incense and perfumery from the comfort of your own home.
Opulent Perfumery refers to a wide range of fragrances that originally took its inspiration from the most ancient forms of perfumes: incense and unguents, dominated by resins, animal essences, and redolent of spices and medicines that were traded along the ancient Incense and Silk Routes. It has evolved into three main sub-categories that will be explored in this fascinating course: Opulent Ambers, Opulent Spicy and Gourmand perfumes. We will also touch upon incense, out, sandalwood and patchouli fragrances and the revival of the interest in single-note fragrances.
Because of the historic significance of this fragrance family, stemming from incense - the most primal and ancient form of perfume - we will begin our journey with incense, exploring the unique forms of incense as developed by diverse civilizations and cultures from around the world (with focus on Kyphi). From this vantage point we will also learn about the aesthetics and techniques of Indian Attars and and Arabian Attars, and the philosophy behind these two distinct traditions.
We will learn how to infused oils with resins, and how to macerate fats with time-honoured botanicals traditionally used for incense as medicine - including but not limited to frankincense and myrrh; as well as how to work with select ethically sourced, cruelty-free animal essences.
This unique program uses multiple learning and teaching modalities and offers support for distant learning, enabling you to fit the perfume school experience into your personal schedule with more flexibility and ease. In addition to written course materials and exercises that are the same as you would experience in person at the week-long intensive masterclasses at Ayala Moriel's studio, you will have access to: Weekly zoom classes (that are also recorded), instructional videos (for some of the classes - this component of the program is still in development), online support group for students where you can post questions on assignments and share your accomplishments and process (membership in those groups extends beyond the duration of the course, so you can get to meet new alumni from all over the world, and share the knowledge you've gained).Another advantage of this program is that it is slower paced, allowing time for the student to digest and integrate the materials learned, as well as compose and let the perfumes mature and develop from session to session.Study at your own pace and space with this unique program tailored to self-study, that will guide you through the course's textbook, "Foundation of Natural Perfumery" (purchase the book separately). This program is more flexible, as it allows you to choose which modules to study in person at the studio, and which ones to study remotely.
This session covers studying the raw materials, perfume structure, how to blend a formula, how to write a formula, building accords and creating unguent and solid perfumes, and basic Opulent formulation in an alcohol base.
Featured workshops: Incense Making Workshop (Indian-style incense cones or Ancient Egyptian Kyphi).
Course Schedule and Structure:The course runs for 12 weeks (3 months), with weekly sessions on Zoom at regular times. Each session runs for 1.5hrs, with time for olfactive studies, lecture and Q&A for students to address problem-solving, feedback for assignments, etc.The fee includes all aspects of participation, except for the raw materials. These must be purchased separately (you will receive a list of materials once you've registered to the course). If you require assistance with sourcing, contact us for a customized essences kit (available for students only).While you can register for the correspondence courses anytime, participation in the live classes is available only at specific dates and times. It is recommended to register well in advance so you have time to get set up with all the materials, and can benefit fully from the live classes.
Alternatively, you can study and progress at your own pace and watch only the recordings (if you're unable to attend the live class time).
The written materials (or self-study guide) includes:
- List of raw materials that are key components for this particular genre (AKA Fragrance Family)
- List of tools and equipment you will need for this module
- List of the exercises in the book, and in which order to perform them
- Additional reading materials and links to relevant suppliers
- Additional creative thinking and exercises that are not in the book, and usually take place at the week-long sessions at the studio.
- Online support via the course's study group. You will gain unlimited access to this group, and get to meet future alumni from around the world
- Future component of the correspondence program (still in the making): Access to online video tutorials (only available at the moment in some of the online courses)
- Receive personal, in-depth, insightful feedback for up to four Opulent perfumes created as assignments in this course
We recommend that you also purchase the essences kit we've designed for this module, which are the raw materials unique to each module, and which are important for completing the practical components of the course.
Prerequisites: Must have completed the Citrus & Colognes Week and/or Lab 101, Chypre and/or Fougère courses.
Next time this course is offered: October - December 2021Early bird rate (valid thru July 30th, 2021): $699Registration deadline: September 1st, 2021It is important that you take the modules in the order that they are offered, as follows:
- Citrus & Colognes + Lab 101
- Foug ère
- Chypre
- Opulent Perfumes
- Florientals
- Floral Bouquets
- Soliflores
- Leather & Tobacco
- Marine & Aquatic
-
Ayala Moriel Parfums
Art of Perfumery Online Course #5: Floramber
$600.00
Visit product page →A rare opportunity to study with Ayala Moriel - a master and world-leader of modern Natural Perfumery - and truly immerse yourself in the world of perfumery from the comfort of your own home.
This online course is dedicated to the Floramber (aka Floral Ambery) fragrance family, covering the raw materials the characterize this genre, learning about the structure of the Floramber fragrance family and the sub-categories in this family. Students will be introduced to composition concepts such as perfume structure, and equipped with fundamental technical skills such as how to blend an alcohol based perfume, how to write a formula, and acquire good working habits in a lab setting. In the practical workshops that take place each afternoon, students will be building accords and creating simple solid perfumes, as well as one representative perfume from the Floramber family.
Featured workshops:
Solid Perfume Workshop
Extract from Enfleurage using fresh flowers
Building Amber BasesStudents are required to purchase a course textbook, and their own course Essences Kit prior to their first course start date. The same book is used throughout the entire program.
Prerequisites: Must have read the book and completed Citrus & Cologned and/or Lab 101, Fougère and Chypre. Completed study guides for all essences in the Beginner Essences Kit.
Dates: April - June 2022
This unique program uses multiple learning and teaching modalities and offers support for distant learning, enabling you to fit the perfume school experience into your personal schedule with more flexibility and ease. In addition to written course materials and exercises that are the same as you would experience in person at the week-long intensive masterclasses at Ayala Moriel's studio, you will have access to: Weekly zoom classes (that are also recorded), instructional videos (for some of the classes - this component of the program is still in development), online support group for students where you can post questions on assignments and share your accomplishments and process (membership in those groups extends beyond the duration of the course, so you can get to meet new alumni from all over the world, and share the knowledge you've gained).
Another advantage of this program is that it is slower paced, allowing time for the student to digest and integrate the materials learned, as well as compose and let the perfumes mature and develop from session to session.
Study at your own pace and space with this unique program tailored to self-study, that will guide you through the course's textbook, "Foundation of Natural Perfumery" (purchase the book separately). This program is more flexible, as it allows you to choose which modules to study in person at the studio, and which ones to study remotely.
This session covers studying the raw materials, perfume structure, how to blend a formula, how to write a formula, building accords and creating simple solid perfumes, and basic Oriental formulation in an alcohol base. Featured workshops: Incense Making Workshop (Indian-style incense cones or Ancient Egyptian Kyphi).
Course Schedule and Structure:
The course runs for 12 weeks (3 months), with weekly sessions on Zoom at regular times. Each session runs for 1.5hrs, with time for olfactive studies, lecture and Q&A for students to address problem-solving, feedback for assignments, etc.The fee includes all aspects of participation, except for the raw materials. These must be purchased separately (you will receive a list of materials once you've registered to the course). If you require assistance with sourcing, contact us for a customized essences kit (available for students only).
While you can register for the correspondence courses anytime, participation in the live classes is available only at specific dates and times. It is recommended to register well in advance so you have time to get set up with all the materials, and can benefit fully from the live classes.
Alternatively, you can study and progress at your own pace and watch only the recordings (if you're unable to attend the live class time).
The written materials (or self-study guide) includes:
- List of raw materials that are key components for this particular genre (AKA Fragrance Family)
- List of tools and equipment you will need for this module
- List of the exercises in the book, and in which order to perform them
- Additional reading materials and links to relevant suppliers
- Additional creative thinking and exercises that are not in the book, and usually take place at the week-long sessions at the studio.
- Online support via the course's study group. You will gain unlimited access to this group, and get to meet future alumni from around the world
- Future component of the correspondence program (still in the making): Access to online video tutorials (only available at the moment in some of the online courses)
- Receive personal, in-depth, insightful feedback for up to 3 perfumes created as assignments in this course
We recommend that you also purchase the essences kit we've designed for this module, which are the raw materials unique to each module, and which are important for completing the practical components of the course.
Prerequisites: Must have completed the Citrus & Colognes Week and/or Lab 101, Chypre and/or Fougère courses.
It is important that you take the modules in the order that they are offered, as follows:
- Citrus & Colognes + Lab 101
- Foug ère
- Chypre
- Opulent Perfumes
- Florientals
- Floral Bouquets
- Soliflores
- Leather & Tobacco
- Aquatic & Marine/Oceanic
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Ayala Moriel Parfums
Art of Perfumery Online Course #6: Floral Bouquets
$180.00
Visit product page →This course is dedicated to Floral Bouquets fragrance family, and is offered to advanced students only. This course was designed to be one of the very last in the full Foundation of Natural Perfumery training program. This is a rare opportunity to study with Ayala Moriel - a master and world-leader of modern Natural Perfumery - and truly immerse yourself in the world of perfumery from the comfort of your own home.
We will dive deep into the vast family of Floral Bouquets, with the sub-genres of Floral Fruity, Floral Fresh, Floral Powdery, Floral Green, and Floral Aldehydic. We will explore the raw materials that characterize each of these sub-genres, using only pure and natural raw materials.
Because this is an advanced course, with a lot of the raw materials studies already under your belt - the focus is truly on composition with emphasis on matching (creating "duplicates") of classic floral compositions using only natural components; and creating your own original representatives of the main types floral bouquets - Floral Green, Floral Powdery, Floral Fruity and even find a way to create an Aldehydic Floral using natural essences only!In this course, you will:
- Study the many raw materials, classic and vintage perfumes of the most popular genre of them all - Floral Bouquets.- Learn proper perfume structuring, how to blend a perfume, how to write a formula, building accords and also sharpening your sniffing skills by identifying accords of 2-5 different essences.
- Learn to compare different distillations of the same plant (i.e.: rose otto vs. rose absolute)
- Refine your sense of smell to be able to recognize the difference between same raw material from different countries of origin (i.e.: jasmine from India vs. jasmine from Egypt).
- Develop your ability to manipulate notes to the desired volatility rate, orchestrate nuances of the same flower to appear at different stages of the fragrance's development on the skin
- Pave the way to truly master the art of perfumery by being able to create all the sub-genres of the Floral Bouquets fragrance family, using only pure and natural raw materials (without using isolates).
- Learn how to make a perfume truly perform in all aspects (i.e.: silage, longevity, balance...)
Featured workshops:
Dry Enfleurage & Scented Powders
Extrait from Enfleurage using fresh flowers (Review)
Using extrait from enfleurage within a composition
Prerequisites: Must have read the book and completed Citrus & Cologned and/or Lab 101, Fougère, Chypre, Floramber, Opulents, and Enfleurage mini-course. Completed study guides for all essences in the Beginner Essences Kit.
Field Studies: Flower Garden - Pairings & Exploration
Featured Workshop: Enfleurage (crops permitting)
Dates: Wednesdays, April 19 - June 28th, 2023
Correspondence Course Sequence:
Study at your own pace and space with this unique program tailored to self-study, that will guide you through the course's textbook, "Foundation of Natural Perfumery" (purchase the book separately). This program is more flexible, as it allows you to choose which modules to study in person at the studio, and which ones to study remotely, on your own.
It is, however, important that you take the modules in the order that they are offered, as follows:- Citrus & Colognes + Lab 101
- Fougere
- Chypre
- Opulent
- Floramber
- Floral Bouquets
- Soliflores
- Leather & Tobacco
You can register for the correspondence courses anytime, and complete the entire 8-module program at your own pace. Studying will progress according to the self-study guide that will be sent to you upon registration, which will include:
- List of raw materials that are key components for this particular genre (AKA Fragrance Family)
- List of tools and equipment you will need for this module
- List of the exercises in the book, and in which order to perform them, as well as additional exercises designed especially for this course
- Additional reading materials and links to relevant suppliers
- Additional creative thinking and exercises that are not in the book, and usually take place at the week-long sessions at the studio.
- Online support via email offered up to 6 months from date course was purchased.
- Future component of the correspondence program (still in the making): Access to online video tutorials
We recommend that you also purchase the essences kit we've designed for this module, which are the raw materials unique to each module, and which are important for completing the practical components of the course.
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Ayala Moriel Parfums
Art of Perfumery Online Course #7: Leather/Tobacco
$400.00
Visit product page →Leather & Tobacco is a new advanced correspondence course, dedicated to the most intriguing and quirky fragrance family. It is offered to advanced students only. This was designed to be one of the last courses in the Foundation of Natural Perfumery training program, and is now offered in the correspondence format for the first time.
This is a rare opportunity to study with Ayala Moriel - a master and world-leader of modern Natural Perfumery - and truly immerse yourself in the world of perfumery from the comfort of your own home.In this course, we will first explore the joint chapter in history of perfumery and leather tanning, and the traditional formulations that were born from that. We'll explore techniques for scenting leathery objects, study the difference between Spanish and Russian leathers, and will venture into the history of curing and flavouring tobacco and the influences of these practices on the emergence of the Tobacco-type fragrances.
The Autumn session covers studying the raw materials unique to this genre, the history of the Leather and Tobacco perfume genre, as well as concepts such as perfume structures, how to blend an alcohol based perfume, how to write a formula, building leathery and tobacco accords, as well two representative formulas of each Leathery and Tobacco perfumes, both in an alcohol base. And fo course, we will formulate modern and natural perfumes from both the Tobacco and Leather categories, including vegan alternatives that will remain true to the genre.
Feature workshop: Scenting Leather
Feature lecture: Flavouring Tobacco
Dates: September-December, 2022
Prerequisites: Must have read the book and completed Citrus & Cologned and/or Lab 101, Fougère, Chypre and Opulent courses.Correspondence Course Format:
Study at your own pace and space with this unique program tailored to self-study, that will guide you through the course's textbook, "Foundation of Natural Perfumery" (purchase the book separately) and additional complementary texts tailored for this course specifically.
This program is more flexible, however, it is important that you take the modules in the order that they are offered, as follows (with some flexibility in the advanced courses, i.e. from the 6th course onwards):- Citrus & Colognes + Lab 101
- Fougere
- Chypre
- Opulent
- Floramber
- Floral Bouquets
- Soliflores
- Leather & Tobacco
- Aquatic & Marine/Oceanic
You can register for the correspondence courses anytime, and complete the entire 8-module program at your own pace. Studying will progress according to the self-study guide that will be sent to you upon registration, which will include:
- List of raw materials that are key components for this particular genre (AKA Fragrance Family)
- List of tools and equipment you will need for this module
- List of the exercises in the book, and in which order to perform them
- Additional reading materials and links to relevant suppliers
- Additional creative thinking and exercises that are not in the book, and usually take place at the week-long sessions at the studio.
- Online support via the Facebook support group for Leather & Tobacco students.
- Future component of the correspondence program (still in the making): Access to online video tutorials
- Receive personal, in-depth, insightful feedback for the perfumes you've created as the practical assignments in each course
We recommend that you also purchase the sample fragrances we've designed for this module, as well as the raw materials unique to each module, and which are important for completing the practical components of the course.
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Ayala Moriel Parfums
Art of Perfumery Online Course #8: Soliflores
$400.00
Visit product page →This course is dedicated to Soliflores (aka single floral) fragrance family, and is offered to advanced students only. This was designed to be one of the very last in the full Foundation of Natural Perfumery training program. This is a rare opportunity to study with Ayala Moriel - a master and world-leader of modern Natural Perfumery - and truly immerse yourself in the world of perfumery from the comfort of your own home.
This online course is dedicated to the Soliflore (AKA Single-Note) fragrance family, covering the raw materials that characterize this genre, learning about the structure and makeup of the most popular single-note floral fragrances, i.e.: Rose, jasmine, orange blossom, tuberose, violet, gardenia, carnation, etc.. Students will delve deep into minimalist composition concepts and acquire the skills necessary for creating a seamless single-note perfume that truly performs on the skin.
In this course, you will:
- Learn to compare different distillations of the same plant (i.e.: rose otto vs. rose absolute)
- Refine your sense of smell to be able to recognize the difference between same raw material from different countries of origin (i.e.: jasmine from India vs. jasmine from Egypt).
- Develop your ability to manipulate notes to the desired volatility rate, orchestrate nuances of the same flower to appear at different stages of the fragrance's development on the skin
- Pave the way to truly master the art of perfumery by being able to create a harmonious, elegant yet interesting single-note perfume
- Learn how to make a perfume truly perform in all aspects (i.e.: silage, longevity, balance...)
Featured workshops:
Extrait from Enfleurage using fresh flowers (Review)
Using extrait from enfleurage within a composition
Prerequisites: Must have read the book and completed Citrus & Cologned and/or Lab 101, Fougère, Chypre, Floramber, Opulents, and Enfleurage mini-course. Completed study guides for all essences in the Beginner Essences Kit.Dates: April - June 2022
Correspondence Course Module:
Study at your own pace and space with this unique program tailored to self-study, that will guide you through the course's textbook, "Foundation of Natural Perfumery" (purchase the book separately). This program is more flexible, as it allows you to choose which modules to study in person at the studio, and which ones to study remotely, on your own.
It is, however, important that you take the modules in the order that they are offered, as follows:- Citrus & Colognes + Lab 101
- Fougere
- Chypre
- Opulent
- Floramber
- Floral Bouquets
- Soliflores
- Leather & Tobacco
- Marine/Aquatic
You can register for the correspondence courses anytime, and complete the entire 8-module program at your own pace. Studying will progress according to the self-study guide that will be sent to you upon registration, which will include:
- List of raw materials that are key components for this particular genre (AKA Fragrance Family)
- List of tools and equipment you will need for this module
- List of the exercises in the book, and in which order to perform them
- Additional reading materials and links to relevant suppliers
- Additional creative thinking and exercises that are not in the book, and usually take place at the week-long sessions at the studio.
- Online support via email or Skype chat - offered up to 6 months from date course was purchased.
- Future component of the correspondence program (still in the making): Access to online video tutorials
We recommend that you also purchase the essences kit we've designed for this module, which are the raw materials unique to each module, and which are important for completing the practical components of the course.
-
Ayala Moriel Parfums
Chypre Fragrance Sampler Kit
$180.00
Visit product page →Sampler kit to accompany the Chypre online course. Featuring: ArbitRary, Autumn, Ayalitta, Grin, Komorebi, Lost Lagoon, Megumi, Rainforest, Rebellius, Schizm and many more surprise Chypre fragrances (total 15 samples).
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Ayala Moriel Parfums
Citrus & Colognes Fragrance Sampler Kit
$120.00
Visit product page →Sampler kit to accompany the Citrus & Colognes + Lab 101 online course. Featuring: Agua de Florida, ArbitRary, Etrog, Fetish, and many more surprise citrus fragrances and eau de cologne (10 samples total).
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Ayala Moriel Parfums
Floral Bouquets Fragrance Sampler Kit
$96.00
Sampler kit to accompany the Fougère Online Course. Featuring: Bouquet of Love, Musk Malabi, Sahleb, Grin and other surprise Floral Bouquets fragrance samples (8 total).Visit product page → -
Ayala Moriel Parfums
Floramber Fragrance Sampler Kit
$96.00
Sampler kit to accompany the Floramber Online Course. Featuring: Cabaret, Musk Malabi, Tamya, Roses et Chocolat, Treazon, and 3 other surprise Floramber fragrance samples (8 total).Visit product page → -
Ayala Moriel Parfums
Fougère Fragrance Sampler Kit
$96.00
Visit product page →Sampler kit to accompany the Fougère Online Course. Featuring: Democracy, l'Herb Rouge, Lovender, and surprise Fougère fragrances.
Fougère fragrances (8 samples total).
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Ayala Moriel Parfums
Incense Making Apprenticeship
On sale $4,125.00 $550.00
Visit product page →This new and unusual internship opportunity spans over the course of two weeks, and brings together the best of all worlds: Nature, art, travel, history, and studying the Art of Incense Making.
This apprenticeship is designed for students who want to immerse themselves in the experience of incense making and connect to the historical, cultural and natural sources of this art form. This week-long intensive Masterclass runs for 10 days in total, over the span of two weeks, and offers theoretical, spiritual, technical and practical guidance alongside hands-on incense-crafting exercises and experiments.
As part of this program, students will spend two days touring the Incense Route in the desert, and the rest of the program in Ayala Moriel's state-of-the-art studio in Clil, where they will learn how to sustainably harvest and forage incense materials from the wild, dry and prepare them for incense in several different techniques: beginning with the most ancient forms of non-combustible incense (Smudging Wands, Loose Incense), to more sophisticated styles that require several days or even months of aging (Kyphi, Incense Pastilles, Nerikoh) and progressing to combustible-incense (Incense Trails, Incense Cones and Joss Sticks).
For this amazing travel-and-learn experience, Ayala Moriel has teamed up with the exceptional local tour guide Yoav Avenyon who specializes in its culture and heritage, and will lead you through the most significant Nabatean cities along this route. Yoav is especially passionate about bringing back to life the times of the spice caravans that brought aromatic treasures from India, China through Arabia, Israel and eventually via sea to Europe and North Africa.
The Incense Route is an UNESCO World Heritage Site the runs through the Negev Desert. A place that every perfumery student should visit for insights and inspiration regarding the very origins of perfume and incense. Students participating in this unusual Opulent masterclass will also learn how to make incense based on an ancient formula, in a traditional method using natural botanical aromatics that were used for millennia, and then delve deep into incorporating this tangible, aromatic knowledge and experience into composing perfume, which will enable to dive deeper into the contemporary and traditional art of perfumery.
Itinerary:
Day 1 & 2:
Trip to the Incense Route, lead by Yoav Avenyon. Yoav will pick you up from Tel Aviv and drive you through the desert landscapes of Southern Israel for an immersive experience in the ancient Nabatean cities. The cost for this trip is $525 per person, and is factored into the final price of the course. This price includes the guidance, travel in a special car to the desert and back to Tel Aviv, accommodation in a boutique hotel in gorgeous location - Mitzpeh Ramon (in a room that sleeps 2), as well as breakfast. All other meals are not included.Day 3-10:
Incense Making Masterclass and Apprenticeship with Ayala Moriel (In her studio in Clil)Day 1:
Foraging Philosophy & Guidelines
Incense Wands from local wild herbsDay 2:
Meeting the Materials
Loose IncenseDay 3:
Alchemy & Western Incense Traditions
Incense Pastilles (Greek Monastery Style)
Day 4:
Resins, Reasons & Raisins
Kyphi (Ancient Egyptian Incense)Day 5:
Kyphi (Continued)Day 6:
Koh-Doh Incense Ceremony & Incense Burning Methods
Nerikoh
Day 7:
Incense Trails - Practice and Principles
Day 8:
Combustible Incense, Part 1
Day 9:
Combustible Incense, Part 2
Day 10:
Combustible Incense, Part 3Syllabus:
The apprenticeship will give you the tools to study the raw materials of incense, incense burning styles, their role in healing and spiritual practice, and of course how to create successful incense recipes for different uses and requirements. We will make several styles of incense, both combustible and non-combustible.Beginning with the most ancient forms of non-combustible incense (i.e.: Smudging Wands, Loose Incense, etc.), to more sophisticated styles that require several days or even months of aging (i.e.: Kyphi, Incense Pastilles, Nerikoh, etc.) and progressing to combustible-incense (i.e.: Incense Trails, Incense Cones and Joss Sticks, Rope Incense, etc.).Learning Environment & Structure:The morning will include in-depth study of ancient and modern incense raw materials, explore incense ceremonies, methods of harvest and the philosophy and spiritual practice behind these traditions; and a practical incense making workshop in the afternoon.
The morning sessions (8:30am-12pm) will be dedicated to meditation, theory and studying the raw materials of incense, as well as gathering and learning how to dry and prepare different incense materials. The afternoons (1pm-3:30pm) are dedicated to creating, formulating and forming the incense itself.Fees:The fee includes all materials and supplies used during the course, as well as a homemade vegetarian/vegan lunch, and fragrant refreshments served daily.Prerequisites:
Must have previous experience in either herbalism, incense making, perfumery or another experience working with plants.Dates: TBALocation:The course takes place at Ayala Moriel's new studio in Clil, Israel. This little off-the-grid organic village has scenic is in one of the country's most fascinating regions, the Western Galilee - and has a view of the Mediterranean sea (gorgeous beaches are only 20min drive), Haifa Bay and Mount Carmel. Clil provides a unique experience for students who choose to stay here (although you don't have to - there are also plenty of places around, but keep in mind that in that case car is a must). The village is solar-powered and has small population of under 1000 people, who live in custom-built homes and semi-temporary dwellings (yurts, teepees, modified train cars and shipping containers, etc.) that are scattered among ancient olive groves and wild bush and Mediterranean garrigue (comprising of carobs, oaks, pistachia and thorny bushes). Despite its size, the village is a community bustling with life and culture: our neighbours are the village's cafe (inside a tent) that is opened Thursday-Saturday and hosts live concerts, and there.Amenities:Groceries, bread and fresh produce as well as some eco-friendly products and locally crafted first aid kits and toiletries can be purchased at the local Organic Garden. Tuesday evenings there is usually a Pizza night at the local bakery. Thursday evenings there is a little market in the village's playground, weather permitting. Also less relevant but sometimes handy are the village's book exchange and clothing exchange, which is open 24/7 and is completely free (take what you want and leave what you no longer use). Buses run to and from the village several times per day and connect you to Nahariyya. For all other places you will need a vehicle.Accommodations within the village include one boutique hotel, one guest house (India-style "hostel" on the second level of one of our neighbours) and several cabins for rent - some also offering breakfast. Sublets among the village's inhabitants are often listed and could be arranged if booked enough in advance, and also near Cafe Clil there is a small campsite for those who enjoy a fully rustic experience.Accommodations:Students are responsible for their own accommodations. There are several excellent options within the village, for a full rural-life, off-the-grid experience; and there are also boutique hotels, B & B and other options for accommodations. We recommend you choose a place to stay no farther than 30min commute and will be glad to help you choose the best accommodation for your budget and other needs.
