Held In Song (Toronto)

Come and be moved, nourished, and uplifted by the power of Community Singing in a large group of people. Throughout our day together, we’ll sing a collection of easy-to-learn, soulful, and uplifting songs learned by ear, in the oral tradition. We’ll play with harmonies, layer songs, and ‘don’t make me think’ songs that move 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 is known widely to improve health and wellbeing through the release of endorphins and oxytocin, which thereby reduce stress and increase a sense of joy and connection. Study after study has shown that group singing helps with everything from increased lung capacity to reduced heart disease, boosting immunity and even a longer life span.

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 that you can keep tucked away in your pocket for moments when you need them, and songs that you can weave into the rhythm of your daily life. More than anything, they are songs that were 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. Please know that you are welcome however you are – tired and weary, fully ablaze in your brilliance, or anywhere in between.

Tuition & Registration

Early Bird (by February 1st)
$115 Regular / $135 Supporter / $95 Supported

Standard (after February 1st)
$135 Regular / $155 Supporter / $115 Supported

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. If the listed tuition prices are a barrier for you, please email mila@singforjoy.ca for a possible work exchange or partial scholarship.

Cancellations & Refund Policy:

A refund will be issued if notice is received by February 1st, minus a $20 admin fee. After February 1st, 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 me 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, please 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.

Health Agreements

In an effort to keep everyone healthy, we ask that you stay home if you are sick, or have tested positive for covid in the five days before, or have had an exposure with someone who has tested positive in the past five days.

Masking is optional and welcome. For the purpose of creating a nourishing singing experience, Mila will not be wearing a mask.

As we continue to navigate these post-pandemic times, we warmly encourage everyone to check in with each other before hugging, hand shakes, and even close-talking. We all come with different comfort levels, and we trust that we can navigate this terrain together throughout our day.

Words from Past Workshop Participants…

“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 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'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