This workshop is currently full with a Waitlist. To add yourself to the Waitlist for this event, please click here.

"A song can hold you up when there seems to be no ground beneath you." - Melanie DeMore

I am overjoyed to welcome back internationally renowned Vocal Activist, Composer, and Community Song Leader Melanie DeMore for a full-weekend workshop in Toronto this fall. Weaving the fibres of African-American folk music with songs for social justice and activism, soulful gospel and spirituals, and her own original music, Melanie will lead us on a two-day journey of singing together in the oral tradition. All that is required is a willingness to sing.

About Melanie DeMore

Melanie DeMore is one of the most outstanding Community Song Leaders of our times. She has a career spanning 50 years dedicated to teaching, mentoring, conducting, and inspiring adults and children about the power of song as a tool for social justice, empowerment, and healing.

For Melanie, nothing is closer to her heart than bringing people together to experience the healing power of music. Whether she’s performing solo, leading stick pounding workshops, or mentoring choirs all over the world, one thing is certain: her mission is to make sure you unlock the key to experiencing yourself in all your Glory, and return home with the very same excitement and passion for living that she herself has. When she comes your way, her energy will charge the very air you breathe like a meteor shower, so get ready to rise up!

Melanie is an adjunct faculty at the California Institute for Integral Studies, lead teaching artist for CalPerformances at UC Berkeley, a featured presenter for SpeakOut! The Institute for Social and Cultural Change, and the Artistic Conductor of The Oakland Children’s Community Choir. She is currently a Mentor-Conductor for the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, an incredible initiative that empowers Palestinian and Israeli youth to sing together for peace, justice, inclusion, and equality.

Melanie has received three Grammy nominations, and was a founding member of the Grammy nominated Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. She has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such varied artists as Odetta, Pete Seeger, Richey Havens, the Trinity Choir, MUSE Cincinnati Women’s Chorus and many others.

Workshop Schedule

This workshop will take place over 2 days:
Saturday, November 14: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 15: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm

Schedule for both days:
9:30 am: Doors Open
10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Morning Session
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Lunch Break
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Afternoon Session

We will provide tea and coffee throughout the day. Please bring your own lunch, or visit one of the nearby restaurants and cafes within a five minute walk of the workshop location.

Location

This workshop will be held at the BGC Toronto Kiwanis, in the historic “Cabbagetown” neighbourhood of Toronto. BGC Kiwanis is a vibrant community hub where children and youth are supported and empowered to achieve their dreams. The address is: 101 Spruce Street, Toronto.

BGC Kiwanis is accessible by public transit. For those driving, there is paid street parking and Green P parking on the residential streets near the venue. BGC Kiwanis is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you have any additional accessibility needs.

Cost & Registration

This workshop is currently FULL with a Waitlist. To add yourself to the Waitlist for this event, please click here.

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.

Early Bird (by May 31st)
Adult: $195 Regular / $215 Supporter / $175 Supported
Youth (Age 12-17): $105 Regular / $115 Supporter / $95 Supported

Standard (after May 31st)
Adult: $210 Regular / $230 Supporter / $190 Supported
Youth (Age 12-17): $115 Regular / $125 Supporter / $105 Supported

Scholarships:

We are committed to making this workshop accessible and available to a wide range of participants. We are offering ten scholarship spots to help reduce financial barriers and support greater representation within our singing community. To learn more about these scholarship opportunities, please click here.

Cancellation & Refund Policy:

Registration for this workshop is non-refundable. Please keep this in mind when booking your spot. Given the high expenses for this event, this refund policy creates some protection and stability for the facilitator, host, and our team.
Your spot is transferable until October 31st, 2026. This means that you can transfer your spot to another person, and be reimbursed for your payment. After October 31st, your spot is non-transferable.
If you wish to transfer your spot to a friend or family member, please contact: mila@singforjoy.ca. If we do not have a waiting list, it is the responsibility of the participant to find someone with whom you can transfer your spot.
For those who are travelling from out of town for this workshop, please note that we are not able to cover any costs incurred by participants for transportation or accommodations. As such, please organize your travel with this in mind.
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 avoid the booking fees, please see instructions below.

E-transfer:

You are welcome to pay by e-transfer. Please register here 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 plus 13% sales tax 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 registration will be voided if we haven't received your e-transfer within 48 hours of your booking.

Words from past participants…

“Singing with Melanie DeMore was one of the highlights of my life. She brought not only a weekend of absolute joy with her incredible songs, but her love and compassion created a deep sense of community and connection among the participants. Her song called ‘Sending you Light’ is one of the most moving songs I know. Since that workshop, I’ve shared it with many friends and family to support them through difficult times. I can’t wait for Melanie’s next visit.” – Ellen Titus

“I was thrilled to be part of the amazing workshop with Melanie, that Mila hosted in Toronto. It was unforgettable. Melanie left an indelible impression on me… not to mention several songs that I still sing whenever I can.” – Bruce Lyne

“Singing with Melanie is something I will never forget. She opened my eyes to the power of song as an instrument of change, hope, and peace in this world. I still sing her songs with my family and community.” – Angela Ouroumov

“The Power of Song workshop with Melanie was a profound experience for me. I went to the workshop right before the pandemic started, and her songs carried me through those hard years. I still sing her songs to my daughter, for comfort and strength when she needs it.” – Michael D.

Contact the host of The Power of Song: Melanie DeMore Workshop