Join us for a transformative program to reawaken the ancient tradition of singing in community. Led by renowned facilitators Arnaé Batson and Maggie Wheeler, we will immerse ourselves in the oral tradition of call and response, teaching songs of joy and healing that are accessible to all skill levels. Through the creation of harmonies and rhythms, participants will be inspired, energized, and connected to one another. Singing together in this way creates a powerful co-operative experience that fosters a true sense of inter-connectedness and joy.
Expect to be surprised by your own abilities, to experience a deep sense of satisfaction and joy, and to be moved by the beauty of music. Our goal is to not only expand your vocabulary of song, but to reawaken the healing power of using your own voice. From chants and spirituals to songs of protest and original music, we will explore the vibrational power of song throughout history. By the end of the program, participants will have a new found access to the music within and a renewed sense of permission to create their own songs. Join us in this vocal journey, where healing, courage, and deep connections are possible when we join our voices in a shared communal experience.
Offered as 2 satsangs and 2 workshops (subject to change).
Maggie Wheeler is best known in the U.S and internationally for her work as an actress in film, television and voice-over and most notably as the character of Janice on NBC’s hit series Friends.
Maggie is a passionate singer, songwriter, choir director and workshop facilitator. She has been teaching her vocal workshop for over 30 years at retreat centers, universities, communities and schools to provide the experience of creating interpersonal harmony and internal harmony through the powerful act of creating vocal harmony.
Maggie directs the 100-voice Golden Bridge Community Choir in Hollywood, an inter-generational, non-auditioned choir now in its 17th year.
She is a prolific songwriter with a catalog of powerful and timely songs that have been sung by choirs worldwide. Maggie’s original music for choirs and communities is available on Apple Music and other music platforms. To accompany her CD entitled ‘Walk With Me’, Maggie has created a songbook available by request through her website goldenbridgechoir.com.
Throughout this time of change Maggie continued the Golden Bridge Choir online producing virtual concerts and videos as well as hosting a weekly online community gathering called Together In Song, bringing together over 4000 people from around the world to join in the healing power of singing.
Arnaé Batson is a Grammy-nominated singer, songwriter and song leader who uses music to create spiritual pathways for health and wholeness while advocating for progressive social change. Her dedication to racial and environmental justice is an extension of her work with the internationally acclaimed ensemble, Sweet Honey In The Rock.
Arnaé currently serves as artistic director for the Hearts Afire Community Choir and the Voices Raised LA Vocal Collective, two grassroots acapella groups based in Los Angeles. She also contributes original compositions to the Art/Theomusicology Working Group of the California Poor People’s Campaign. Over the past year, Arnaé has expanded her reach into worldwide audiences through numerous online vocal workshops.
Recent projects also include a collection of virtual choir videos of original songs Arnaé composed to address and mitigate the impact of a number of current day crises: the COVID-19 pandemic, the spring/summer protests for racial equity, the US presidential election, and the insurrection at the US Capitol.
Arnaé firmly believes that leading people in song can reawaken joy, build true connections and provide the musical salve necessary for the healing of personal and social wounds for all who are willing.
The SSING Network is Arnaé’s 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers her passion for “Sharing Songs & Inspiring Neighborhood Gatherings” throughout the global community of singing enthusiasts.
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