Click on a workshop title or scroll down for more info.
VOCAL MEDITATION (Guelph) — Various dates, starting January 27
ALL TOGETHER NOW "CHOIR" (Guelph) — Mondays, Tuesdays, or Wednesdays starting Jan 27
CIRCLE MUSIC (Guelph & Toronto) — Drop in Sundays, monthly
MUSIC IN THE AIR: IMPROV SINGING (Guelph) — Wednesdays, Feb 12-March 5
WOMEN'S MUSIC WEEKEND (Guelph) — May 2-4
CIRCLE TOGETHER (mini) MUSIC FEST (Guelph) — Saturday, April 12
MUSIC IN THE AIR! IMPROV SINGING (Haliburton) — Saturday, June 21
SINGING HARMONY BY EAR (Haliburton) — June 23-27
WOMEN'S MUSIC WEEKEND (Guelph) — Sept 12-14
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VOCAL MEDITATION
with Jane Lewis
Spend an hour tuning up and tuning in. We'll explore various relaxing sounding exercises as well as chants and simple songs. This group is intended to give you a sense of calm & grounding to get you through the week, along with the energetic lift that comes with vocalizing together in a group. Payment is by donation, and you're welcome to join us for any session on a drop-in basis.
In addition to weekly Mondays at noon, I am offering two Wednesday evening sessions.
Dates: Every Monday from January 27 to March 17
Time: Noon-1 pm
Cost: $10-20 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Location: Harcourt Church, 87 Dean Avenue, Guelph
Dates: Wednesdays, February 5 and March 12
Time: 7:30-8:30 pm
Cost: $10-20 suggested donation. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Location: Art Not Shame, 119 Wyndham St, Guelph
Questions? Email Cheryl at admin![[INSERT AT SIGN]](pics/at-foil BW.jpg) all-together-now.ca
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ALL TOGETHER NOW "CHOIR"
with Jane Lewis & Katherine Wheatley
Experience the joy of making music together! This group will meet for eight weeks and sing a selection of songs (a mix of folk, traditional & modern), learning melodies and harmony parts.
"Choir" is in quotation marks because we are more fun than formal. Our main goal is to sing lots, and to enjoy ourselves. No auditions, no performance, no reading music — we'll be learning by ear.
Women's group
Monday evenings, 7-9 pm. January 27 to March 17 *full - join the waiting list*
Co-ed group
Tuesday afternoons, 1-3 pm. January 28 to March 18 *full - join the waiting list*
Women's group
Tuesday evenings, 7-9 pm. January 28 to March 18
Co-ed group
Wednesday afternoons, 1-3 pm. January 29 to March 19
Cost: $250
Monday & Wednesday Location: Toronto St, Guelph.
Tuesday Location: Silence, Guelph. 46 Essex Street.
Registration & Questions: Email Cheryl at adminall-together-now.ca
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CircleMusic — sing * play * groove
Let's create joyful, spontaneous music using our voices & bodies as instruments! Circle Music is a form of collaborative music making that fosters community building & connection, creative expression, and play. You will be guided to sing, move, clap, stomp, and snap as we create improvised melodies and rhythms. ALL voices are welcome, no matter what level of musical experience you have (or don't have). It's powerful fun!
This group is inspired by Música do Círculo community music in Brazil and Circle Singing (as developed by Bobby McFerrin), and Rhiannon's Vocal River practice.
GUELPH CIRCLES
Led by Jane Lewis and/or Joni NehRita
Saturday, Feb 1, 10 am: This special event is part of Hillside Inside. PWYC. Register here!
Regular monthly circles at Silence (46 Essex St, Guelph):
Sunday, Feb 23, 2-4pm
Sunday, March 23, 2-4pm
By donation, $15-20 if you can, less if you can't.
Registration for the monthly 2-hour events is not required. Just turn up!
If you'd like an email reminder, send a message to CircleMusicONgmail.com and we'll add you to the Circle Music mailing list.
TORONTO CIRCLES
Led by Jane Lewis and/or Susanne Maziarz
At the Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation
310 Danforth Avenue (Entrance at the corner of Hurndale & Jackman)
By donation, $10-20 if you can, less if you can't.
Sunday, February 9, 3-5pm
Sunday, March 9, 3-5pm
Sunday, April 13, 3-5pm
Sunday, May 11, 3-5pm
Sunday, June 8, 3-5pm
Registration for the monthly 2-hour events is not required. Just turn up!
If you'd like an email reminder, send a message to janejanelewis.ca and we'll add you to the list.
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MUSIC IN THE AIR! IMPROV SINGING
with Jane Lewis
"We have a duty towards music, namely, to invent it." — Igor Stravinsky
Where does music come from (if we're not reading a score or singing a song we already know)? Take a deep dive into improvisational singing, and experience the thrill of creating spontaneous music. We'll explore different ways to create vocal music individually and as a group, based mainly on the Vocal River exercises created by Rhiannon.
We'll work on inventing melody as well as adding harmony and syncopated parts. It will involve musical creativity, deep listening, collaboration, blending voices, stretching our comfort zones, and supporting one another.
The main requirement is that you can match pitch at least relatively well, and that you are fairly comfortable sharing your voice in a group (since there will be times when your voice will be heard alone). If this is pushing your comfort zone, but you want to work on it, that's great too. Feel free to contact me if you're not sure this is a fit for you.
Dates: Wednesdays, Feb 12 to March 5
Time: 7-8:30 pm
Location: Art Not Shame, 119 Wyndham St, Guelph
Cost: $100-$125 sliding scale
Registration & Questions? Email janejanelewis.ca
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CIRCLE TOGETHER (mini) MUSIC FEST
with Joni NehRita, Jane Lewis, and other instructors TBA
Mark your calendars for this one-day event focusing on Circle Music, Body Percussion, Circle Singing, and more! Details TBA.
Dates: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Location: Guelph
Cost: TBA
Registration: TBA
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WOMEN'S MUSIC WEEKEND
with Jane Lewis, Katherine Wheatley, and special guests
In this transformative, inspiring music program, you will experience the joy of singing, the magic of creating music, and the power of playing with a group of like-minded women. It's designed to suit you—whether you're a musical beginner or someone who's been at it for a while and wants to dig in and learn something new.
There'll be yoga/movement, group singing, songwriting and vocal workshops, jamming, and a final concert where everyone has the opportunity to perform a song. You can look forward to a weekend of inspiration, creativity, empowerment and community!
Women's Music Weekend happens twice a year—in May and September. This May, our special guest instructors are Cynthia Kinnunen and Stacey Dela Can-Tamakloe. In September, Emm Gryner and Kat Goldman will be joining us.
More info at www.womensmusicweekend.com
Dates: May 2-4 and September 12-14, 2025
Location: Ignatius Jesuit Centre in Guelph
Cost: TBA
Registration: Opens in January www.womensmusicweekend.com
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MUSIC IN THE AIR! IMPROV SINGING
with Jane Lewis
"We have a duty towards music, namely, to invent it." — Igor Stravinsky
Where does music come from (if we're not reading a score or singing a song we already know)? Take a deep dive into improvisational singing, and experience the thrill of creating spontaneous music. We'll explore different ways to create vocal music individually and as a group, based mainly on Vocal River exercises created by Rhiannon, as well as Circle Singing by Bobby McFerrin.
We'll work on inventing melody as well as adding harmony and syncopated parts. It will involve musical creativity, deep listening, collaboration, blending voices, stretching our comfort zones, and supporting one another.
The main requirement is that you can match pitch at least relatively well, and that you are fairly comfortable sharing your voice in a group (since there will be times when your voice will be heard alone). If this is pushing your comfort zone, but you want to work on it, that's great too. Feel free to contact me if you're not sure this is a fit for you.
Date: Saturday, June 21
Location: Haliburton School of the Arts
Cost: $TBA
Registration: TBA
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SINGING HARMONY BY EAR
with Jane Lewis
Take a deep dive into harmony singing! Learn how to find & create harmonies on the fly when singing with others. Working through exercises and songs will provide a road map to help you find your harmonic way. We'll also work on learning full songs in 3-part harmony. Instruction is designed for relative beginners - being able to sing the scale (do-re-mi-fa-sol-la-ti-do) is the only requirement. As we'll be working by ear, you do not need to know how to read music. Some theory will be introduced, but most importantly, we'll get lots of practice time in!
Date: Monday-Friday, June 23-27
Location: Haliburton School of the Arts
Cost: $TBA (does not include accommodation)
Registration: TBA
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PREVIOUS, AND POSSIBLY FUTURE GROUPS...
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MUSIC IN THE AIR! FLYING (IMPROV SINGING LEVEL II)
with Jane Lewis
"My idea is that there is music in the air, music all around us; the world is full of it, and you simply take as much as you require." — Edward Elgar
This group will build on the skills we learned in Level I. We've got the basics of Rhiannon's Vocal River improvisation methodology (creating melody loops, harmony, interlocking vocal parts, etc.), and now we can immerse ourselves!
Using a variety of improv exercises, we will deepen our musical creativity, listening, and collaboration skills. We'll stretch our comfort zones AND we'll have a heck of a lot of fun inventing songs and music in the moment.
To join this group, you must have taken Level I with me, or—if you've learned the basics elsewhere—contact me to discuss.
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RIVERSONG
with Jane Lewis
This women's group meets monthly at a private space in Toronto's High Park area. We exercise and explore our voices, and sing a growing collection of songs mainly written by women. Learning is by ear.
Dates: TBA
Location: Toronto
Cost: $30-35 per session
Registration: Email janejanelewis.ca
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CIRCLE MUSIC WEEKEND
with Jane Lewis and Susanne Maziarz
Let's create joyful, spontaneous music through improvisational singing! Join Jane Lewis and Susanne Maziarz for a weekend of being tuned into the moment, co-creating music together, laughing, singing, moving, and playing. We'll practice deep listening, collaboration, stretching our comfort zones, and supporting and accepting one another.
Circle Music is inspired by Bobby McFerrin's Circle Singing, Rhiannon's Vocal River practice, and Música do Círculo community music in Brazil.
ALL voices are welcome, no matter what level of musical experience you have (or don't have). Those who wish will also have opportunities to improvise, and there will always be a part for you to follow. It's a mistake-free zone and powerful fun!
More info at www.unicampofontario.ca
Dates: August 9-11, 2024
Location: Unicamp, Mulmur, ON
Cost: $216 plus accommodation
Registration: via www.unicamp.com
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VOCAL MEDITATION (ZOOM)
with Jane Lewis
Spend 45 minutes tuning up and tuning in. We'll explore relaxing vocal exercises: sounding, toning, chanting & simple songs. The sessions are intended to give you a sense of calm & grounding. You'll be invited to sing along with guide tracks or improvise if you like. You can participate at whatever level you are comfortable with! Drop in any week. Pay what you can.
Here's a video intro and explanation: youtu.be/BE-nxk0X8Yw
Here's even more info! www.vocalmeditation.com
Cost: Pay what you can donation. $10-15 suggested.
Location: ZOOM IN from anywhere!
Registration & Questions? Email janejanelewis.ca
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EVERY BODY SINGS!
with Jane Lewis
This is a 4-week LIVE group! Join Jane for an energizing group experience combining easy-to-learn songs, circle singing, body percussion, and more. All levels of musical experience are welcome. There will be *optional* challenges in body percussion and improvisation, but there will always be a part for you to follow if you prefer. We'll make music in a non-judgmental environment—joyful fun, learning and connection are the goals here.
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BODY MUSIC FOR THE BRAIN
with Jane Lewis
Energize your body and brain with the fun and fantastic exercise of creating rhythms and patterns using body percussion (clapping, stomping, snapping your fingers, etc.) and your voice. This 4-week group will inspire you to focus, co-ordinate, create, move, laugh, and sing. Together we will create rhythms and music in a playful, non-judgmental circle, open to all levels of experience.
Questions? Email Jane at musicall-together-now.ca
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"ALONE TOGETHER" VIRTUAL SING 2022
with Jane Lewis & Katherine Wheatley
Drop In / On Zoom / Pay What You Can.
Singing makes people feel good! Literally. "Singing can help tame stress but also lift the spirits. Singing is a natural antidepressant. According to information published in Time magazine, singing may release endorphins associated with feelings of pleasure as well as stimulate the release of oxytocin, a hormone that is found to alleviate anxiety and stress." tinyurl.com/READtheARTICLE-ChicagoTribune
Join us for a fun singing session on a Wednesday evening, and see how you feel.
We offer different songs each time, so you can drop in any week. You'll get lyrics in advance. We may look at harmonies on a song or two, but the majority will be pure singalong. We aim to mainly sing classic songs that you are likely to know, or can learn quickly. (Lots of Beatles, James Taylor, Carole King, and stuff from the 60s & 70s, some folk, some show tunes, a little mix of everything.)
This event is offered on a Pay What You Can basis.
Please note: Technology does not allow a large group to sing together online in real time. For these sessions, all participants will be muted and you will sing along with the song leaders.
Questions? Email Cheryl at adminall-together-now.ca
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