Diving into Songleader Training
Donation protected
Thank you for giving a moment to look at my campaign, it means a great deal to me! Whether you choose to donate or not, I hope singing fills your world with joy.
My name is Kira Seto and I’ve been leading oral tradition community singing since 2017, from my former home on Big Island of Hawaii to Central America to the West coast. I have personally experienced this form of community singing to be a powerful tool to uplift spirits, process deep emotions, build connection and community, embrace vulnerability, have fun, and make beautiful sound as a collective.
Before I found community singing, I struggled to accept my voice and felt ashamed to share it outside of the shower stall, a result of believing that only talented and successful artists are worth being heard. Community singing helped shift those beliefs, gave me courage and joy to share my voice, and inspired me to offer supportive singing space for all voices. Although many aspects in my life hold uncertainty, I feel certain that I want to pursue this skill - songleading - further and I am asking for support as I dive into Songleader Flight School training.
Why do I want this? I’ve seen groups of strangers transform into community. I’ve found my own voice and courage in supportive circles. I’ve felt joy resonate in my whole being as voices weave together in beautiful resonance. I’ve already received opportunities to step into this skill as a featured songleader at Singing Aloha and Singing Alive Cascadia, two singing festivals, and also in local singing groups as I’ve traveled. It’s been challenging but tremendously rewarding, and I’ve learned I have room to grow. I want to grow into a skilled songleader and effective group facilitator. I believe in the benefits of oral tradition community singing and want to make it more available to the world. I dream of offering regular drop-in song circles that are accessible and inclusive to a wide demographic, as well as leading a community choir.
Songleader Flight School, the course I’m already enrolled in, is a six-week long online training course that starts February 10th. It includes skills in areas like vocal training, group facilitation and leadership, building community and developing ways to support myself. An additional part of this training that I have signed up for is an in-person weekend-long workshop, where I’ll have opportunity to practice songleading while working with other songleaders from all over the country.
I am asking for funds to help me financially with the course, travel, and supplies I will need. I would be so honored to feel supported by my community as I commit to growing what I love in a more skillful and effective way. I have already started a payment plan and been granted a partial scholarship for the course, which I am incredibly grateful for. So far, I have paid $325 towards the program.
Here is what your donations will go towards:
$349 6-week online course with partial scholarship
$500 In-person weekend workshop Feb 28-Mar 2, Carmel, CA
$300 Travel plane & bus fare (estimated)
Total cost: $1149
If I am able raise more than my goal, any additional funds will go towards replacing my broken computer, which will be an integral part of this songwork. This will allow me to record songs, create marketing material, build a song library, and develop the components to support myself financially in this work.
For donations of $30 or more, I offer an optional gift to those who may want some added song in their daily life of a song-a-week for each $10 increment. So for example, a donation of $50, will bring a song a week for 5 weeks. These will be audio recordings of me singing favorite songs that I carry and teach. Songs can be sent via text or email.
Any amount will help make a difference. For those who wish to support and aren’t able to contribute financially, I invite you to share this campaign.
If you have questions about any of this, please send me a message through the contact button below.
I am elated to be taking this next step and following a big ‘YES’ in my heart. Thank you so much for your help as I dive further into Songleader-ship!
With gratitude,
Kira Seto
My name is Kira Seto and I’ve been leading oral tradition community singing since 2017, from my former home on Big Island of Hawaii to Central America to the West coast. I have personally experienced this form of community singing to be a powerful tool to uplift spirits, process deep emotions, build connection and community, embrace vulnerability, have fun, and make beautiful sound as a collective.
Before I found community singing, I struggled to accept my voice and felt ashamed to share it outside of the shower stall, a result of believing that only talented and successful artists are worth being heard. Community singing helped shift those beliefs, gave me courage and joy to share my voice, and inspired me to offer supportive singing space for all voices. Although many aspects in my life hold uncertainty, I feel certain that I want to pursue this skill - songleading - further and I am asking for support as I dive into Songleader Flight School training.
Why do I want this? I’ve seen groups of strangers transform into community. I’ve found my own voice and courage in supportive circles. I’ve felt joy resonate in my whole being as voices weave together in beautiful resonance. I’ve already received opportunities to step into this skill as a featured songleader at Singing Aloha and Singing Alive Cascadia, two singing festivals, and also in local singing groups as I’ve traveled. It’s been challenging but tremendously rewarding, and I’ve learned I have room to grow. I want to grow into a skilled songleader and effective group facilitator. I believe in the benefits of oral tradition community singing and want to make it more available to the world. I dream of offering regular drop-in song circles that are accessible and inclusive to a wide demographic, as well as leading a community choir.
Songleader Flight School, the course I’m already enrolled in, is a six-week long online training course that starts February 10th. It includes skills in areas like vocal training, group facilitation and leadership, building community and developing ways to support myself. An additional part of this training that I have signed up for is an in-person weekend-long workshop, where I’ll have opportunity to practice songleading while working with other songleaders from all over the country.
I am asking for funds to help me financially with the course, travel, and supplies I will need. I would be so honored to feel supported by my community as I commit to growing what I love in a more skillful and effective way. I have already started a payment plan and been granted a partial scholarship for the course, which I am incredibly grateful for. So far, I have paid $325 towards the program.
Here is what your donations will go towards:
$349 6-week online course with partial scholarship
$500 In-person weekend workshop Feb 28-Mar 2, Carmel, CA
$300 Travel plane & bus fare (estimated)
Total cost: $1149
If I am able raise more than my goal, any additional funds will go towards replacing my broken computer, which will be an integral part of this songwork. This will allow me to record songs, create marketing material, build a song library, and develop the components to support myself financially in this work.
For donations of $30 or more, I offer an optional gift to those who may want some added song in their daily life of a song-a-week for each $10 increment. So for example, a donation of $50, will bring a song a week for 5 weeks. These will be audio recordings of me singing favorite songs that I carry and teach. Songs can be sent via text or email.
Any amount will help make a difference. For those who wish to support and aren’t able to contribute financially, I invite you to share this campaign.
If you have questions about any of this, please send me a message through the contact button below.
I am elated to be taking this next step and following a big ‘YES’ in my heart. Thank you so much for your help as I dive further into Songleader-ship!
With gratitude,
Kira Seto
Organizer
Kira Seto
Organizer
Los Angeles, CA
