Jen's Song Seeking, Joy Sharing Quest!
Community Choir Leadership Training — Give Jen a Helping Hand!
Dear friends, supporters, and fellow song-hearts:
It's with immense joy and anticipation that I share with you that I've been accepted into the Community Choir Leadership Training (CCLT) program this Fall in Victoria, BC.
This training is a one-of-a-kind, two-week residency (the only program of its kind in North America) with 6 months of additional support via teleconferencing, and a year of mentorship. The program will equip me with the skills, tools, and experience it takes to one day be able to create and lead an UBUNTU Choir.
I am excited to learn what it takes to lead and hold these songs, and bring more of this community-based joyful magic to the Maritimes, and possibly beyond!
This decision is both nerve-wracking (in a good way), and exhilarating as most new paths are—and I am inviting you along on this journey with me. My initial goal is to raise funds to cover the costs of the program tuition/flight. (More details below).
Even though I'm a bit nervous, there's no place I'd rather be, and nothing I'd rather do.
The power of singing with others in a safe space changes lives. It has changed (and continues to change) mine.
It is an honor to carry and share songs, and I'm so thrilled to step into this calling.
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"Why do you need my help?" You might be asking.
Because I'm a self-employed contract worker, any time off I take from work, I won't get paid for. I've been working hard to explore funding opportunities for this adventure, and I fully intend to pay it forward in time, talent, and treasure, multiplied, as soon as I am able.
My main fundraising goal will help to cover the following costs:
Tuition: $2500
Flights: $900 approximately
*Funds raised in excess of the initial goal of $3500, would go toward future song-sharing endeavors.
"Why have you chosen to do this?" You might be asking.
Since discovering the non-auditioned, inclusive choir model of You Gotta Sing Chorus (led by my incredible mentor and friend, Vanessa Lindsay-Botten) here in Halifax, my life has changed. I have found a family of friends and a community of song. This discovery has brought out (and helped me to find) the best in me.
When engaged in community singing, I feel happier, more grounded, and more complete—it's like coming home to myself. I have a deep yearning to share this connection and community with others, so that they may come to peace, joy, acceptance, community, and/or perhaps uproarious joy-fueled giggling, too.*
*May that which is needed, be that which is found. Songs have a unique way of seeping into our broken places, sweeping out cobwebs, letting light illuminate something new, or just plain settling into our hearts and ears and building a little home there–note by note, harmony by harmony. All of this is so unique to each of us, and yet, the singing space wouldn't be the same without all of us together. Isn't that incredible?! <3
The power of community singing is a force that can change things—for ourselves, for our communities, and for the world. Singing with other humans while holding no judgment or expectations is pure magic. Building community, being in safe space together, existing in the knowledge that everything we have is enough? That's potent, world-changing stuff.
"What about when you return?" (You might not have asked, but this is exciting!)
Upon my return to Halifax, I will happily and gratefully remain a member of YGS.
In the short term? I will begin leading a song circle of my own, with the hope of growing that into another song-hearted, joyful, playful, and supportive community that makes Halifax (and the world) a happier place to be.
Long term? I'd love to bring an experience like Riversong to the Maritimes. Riversong is a 3-day community singing camp, hosted by Sing for Joy—an UBUNTU choir in Toronto. I attended last September. (See video below). Seeing people of all ages, talents, skills, and abilities spend 3 days in an intentional community, sharing food, wisdom, stories, and time with one another in nature, all with the common bond of shared song was jaw-droppingly, heart-fillingly, "we need more of this!" My goal is to build a planning team and hold the first local event in 2020/2021.
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I am incredibly grateful for any support you can give—be it financial or in the form of kindness, love, well-wishes, and support as I put one foot in front of the other toward this dream. I believe that we are who we are because of our communities, and I definitely wouldn't be me without you. Thank you in advance for your love, support, and shared excitement!
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"When we come into our calling, we become bells calling to everyone else: Oh come, come into your calling!" ~ Laurence Cole