Held In Song (Ottawa)

Come and be moved, nourished, and uplifted by the power of Community Singing in the oral tradition. Together, we'll sing a collection of easy-to-learn, soulful, and uplifting songs, all learned by ear. We'll play with harmonies, layer songs, and ‘don't make me think’ songs that invite us out of our minds and into our bodies. As always, no singing experience is required.

As a wellness practice, Community Singing is one of the most ancient "technologies of belonging" that humans have used since the earliest times. Group singing has been shown to support health and wellbeing, helping to reduce stress, lift our spirits, and increase our sense of joy and connection. Research has also highlighted benefits for respiratory health, mood, and social wellbeing.

The songs we sing will speak to themes of belonging and connection, earth and water, grief and joy, courage and freedom, nature and community, to name a few. They are songs you can keep tucked away in your pocket for moments when you need them, and songs you can weave into the rhythm of your daily life. More than anything, they are songs made to nourish and enliven us.

This workshop is open to all voices, genders, cultures, and backgrounds. No singing experience is required, and no one will be asked to sing on their own.

*Due to the length and content of this workshop, the recommended age is twelve years and older.

Tuition & Registration

Tiered pricing is available for this workshop, so that those of us with more can share, and those of us who could use some support can receive it. When you register at the Supporter rate, a portion of your registration fee will go towards our scholarship fund for this event. Sales tax of 13% will be added to all three tiers.

Adults: $85 Regular / $105 Supporter / $65 Supported
Youth (aged 12-17): $45

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

A refund will be issued if notice is received by January 15th, minus a $25 admin fee. After January 15th, registration for this workshop is non-refundable, but it is transferable. If you wish to transfer your spot to a friend or family member, please contact our team at: mila@singforjoy.ca. If the workshop is cancelled by the host, you will receive a full refund.

Payment Options:

Credit Card: To pay by credit card, please register here on Humanitix. Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity. If you would prefer to pay by e-transfer and save the booking fees, you can see instructions below.

E-transfer: You are welcome to pay via e-transfer. Please register on Humanitix and use the promocode: etransfer. This will give you 100% discount at checkout. To complete your registration, send an e-transfer in the amount of the tuition tier you selected to: mila@singforjoy.ca. Your registration will be complete upon receipt of your e-transfer. Please note that no payment reminder emails will be sent, and your ticket will be voided if we haven't received your e-transfer within 24 hours of your booking.

Promo code process: Enter your promo code at the top of the page, then click the "Apply" button. This will apply your discount to the tickets you add to your cart.

Words from Past Workshop Participants…

“Mila’s workshop was so uplifting, full of passion and connection. My heart opened and my spirit soared in song. I've found myself humming the songs we learned together all week. Little musical earworms of hope, joy and caring.” – Amy Gourley

“Mila holds some serious song magic, and has a beautiful ability of weaving song, playfulness, and deep meaning into her workshops. These moments of group singing are cherished, and feed my soul in ways that are palpable for days after. Singing in this way has helped me to feel ever-more confident in my own voice and ability to share songs.” – Sammy Tangir, Nature-Connection Mentor

“Mila's workshops have profoundly shifted my relationship with my voice. I highly, highly recommend Mila's work to anyone who wants to experience community singing that nourishes deeply while allowing space for grief, joy, and everything in between.” – Maya Nadeem, Trauma-Informed Counsellor

“Singing with Mila changed my life. Learning to sing with her group was a waking-up kind of experience. It felt like breathing. I now know that I’m going to be singing for the rest of my days.” – Parker Glynn-Adey, University of Toronto Professor

“I am so delighted to have discovered Mila's workshops. We sang all day and it wasn't enough. Mila has such a clear, positive and down-to-earth energy. Grounded and uplifting all at once. She made it all feel so simple - I'm still marvelling that we learned those beautiful harmonies together in a way that seemed so effortless.” – Kate Keenan, Expressive Arts Therapist

“Mila draws you in with authenticity and opens you up with her joy. Then, you remember parts of who you really are, and you come home to yourself. Connection and healing happen in the safe, thoughtful, exuberant song-scape that Mila creates. As she moves our group, I experience myself as an essential part of an essential whole, and I know that singing is everyone’s birthright.” – Sarah Vandenberg