Who's Involved
Laurence Cole
Headliner
Part of Laurence's mission is to re-acquaint people with their birthright and natural ability to make beautiful and meaningful sound together. Group singing is one of the most ancient and primal "technologies of belonging" that we humans have been using since our earliest times. When we make joyous and passionate song together, it nourishes our souls and offers an enlivening gift back to the natural world that made us and gives us our sustenance and our very being.
Kate Sutherland
Headliner
*~Singing Our Belonging~*
Kate is a song channeler and recording artist whose deepest passion lies in weaving many voices together in song. There is alchemic magic in co-creating a multi-layered harmonic song experience in circle. Community singing offers so many beautiful gifts: a deep sense of joy and connection with self and others, personal expression, cathartic release and movement. Kate's heartfelt songs are often described as uplifting mantras, prayerful chants, intentional anthems for empowering love, celebrating nature and making room for feeling into our emotions.
Susannah Adams
*~Nature as Muse~*
Holding a deep reverence for the natural world, Susannah is dedicated to discovering the music of the land through the process of deep listening, free writing and vocal improvisation. These aspects govern Susannah’s life and are beautifully depicted in her second album, HEARTH (2024), a collection of meditative ‘journeying songs’. Susannah has led a series of vocal improv sessions (both indoors and outdoors) inviting people into playful connection with each other and the world around them. Susannah is truly committed to the wild magic of the creative process as it unfolds in the moment.
Leah Hokanson
*~The Ecstatic Pop Singing Circle~*
Leah is a lifelong adventurer of music, sound and listening—as a community choir leader, group facilitator, vocalist, pianist, improviser and singer/songwriter. She is co-founder (with Lynette Jackson) of Sound, Belonging & Wholeness, offering programs that explore vocal sounding and intentional listening as portals to Presence, healing and transformation. She directs the Song Keepers Women's Choir (Gabriola), is music director at Unitarian Fellowship of Nanaimo, and offers monthly Contemporary Ecstatic Chanting circles at Bethlehem Centre (Nanaimo).
Ella Morelle
*~Love Songs from the Universe~*
Ella has facilitated experimental voice groups, community and threshold style choirs and improv singing over a span of two decades. She currently facilitates an improvisational singing ensemble in Cowichan Valley. She works from the heart, creating safety and working in collaboration with participants
Blair Francis
*~Singing with the Voice of God~*
Blair is a singer-songwriter, ceremonial musician, music producer and modern-day bard who chooses to use his music and lyrics to uplift and awaken the hearts and souls of his fellow spiritual brothers and sisters all around the world. His music reflects his spiritual journey, exploring Gnostic Christianity, Yoga, Breathwork, Meditation, Alchemy, Plant Medicine, Permaculture, Community Living, and Oneness, using a mix of acoustic folk, funky soul, and especially roots rock reggae to carry this message of love into the world.
Anabel De La Foret
*~Ecstatic Songs from around the world~*
Anabel has been leading song circles and passionately catching songs and singing for over a decade. Her circles bring you into your heart. They are a space for you to drop into your body and your wild and radical expression of your voice! Some instrumental accompaniment will be involved to support the musical journey with a focus on raising our voices up! This experience will elevate your joy and allow a safe space for your grief or pain to be transmuted. She shares songs mostly in English caught by her self and various song catchers!
Kip Alden
*~Attune: Rituals of Song~*
Kip Alden (they/them) is a genderqueer song leader and educator of Gaelic and Ukrainian ancestry, grounded in relational approaches to healing and collective liberation. They guide trauma-informed song circles that centre connection, nervous system resourcing, and somatic awareness -- spaces where voice becomes a tool for remembering, reclaiming, and reimagining. Their ongoing offering, Attune: Rituals of Song, holds song as a communal practice for tending grief, nurturing joy, and resourcing each other through change.
Annie Becker
*~Co-Resonance; Co-Regulate through the Resonance of Song~*
Annie Becker is a Professional Musician, Expressive Art Therapist, Facilitator and a Song Carrier. She believes that Singing is our Birthright. Using our voices in Co-Resonance allows us to connect to our inner power and explore this deeper resonance with all aspects of our lives. In this workshop we will explore the giving and receiving of song through Song Dyads and Community Singing while taking turns to be sung to while feeling vocal vibrations through the resonator in our bodies and bones.
Cari Burdett
*~Wild Soul Song~*
Cari Burdett is a vocalist, community song leader, and nature-based ceremonialist with over 40 years of vocal training, including degrees from McGill and the Royal Academy of Music in London. She is Artistic Director of Lila Music and Nature Centre and leads choirs, rites of passage, and elder collaborations in the Quw’utsun Valley. At Forest of Voices, Cari will offer Wild Soul Song, an improvised nature-connection vocal ceremony in service and gratitude. A mother of three and steward of a vibrant farm, she lives in devotion to song, ceremony, and deep nature connection. Where Is Lovereleases November 2025. More info: CariBurdett.com
Ian Carrick
*~Recovering our Voices~*
Ian Carrick is a songleader, music teacher and person in recovery based in his hometown of Bend, Oregon. He loves helping people of all ages sing together. Ian strives to be a humble student of water, groove, Celtic music, African-American blues and banjo traditions, children, elders, grief, and living one day a time. Ian has been directing Open Hub Singing since 2016, a drop-in community sing with a tender, playful vibe. Ranging from four-part pseudo-choral arrangements to verse & chorus songs for children, Ian’s original songs are all attempts to get Ian out of his head, reconnected with his heart, the Earth and the people around him.
Maeve Iredale
*~The Salt Spring Village Choir~*
Maeve (Marley) Iredale is a local songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, vocal coach, community choir leader, dancer, improviser, meditation instructor and mother of two young kiddos ages 3 and 5.
Maeve’s facilitation of group singing is infused by the teachings of her diverse background in sacred clowning, somatic meditation and the vocal improvisation practices of Rhiannon and Bobby Mcferrin. Maeve brings a light hearted and inclusive touch to her song circles and believes singing is for everyone.
Scott Lucyk
*~Hokule'a - a Singalong Musical~*
Scott is a nature connection mentor living on Salt Spring Island. For nearly a decade, Scott has sung Tenor in a Victoria-based Barbershop Quartet, and in various choirs. Singing and teaching 3- and 4-part harmonies is Scott’s true musical muse. From song circles, astronomy workshops, and nature connection intensives in his current life, to interprovincial meetings and executive functions in his previous life in the BC Government, Scott has gathered a wealth of facilitation and leadership experience. Now he brings his joy for singing, play, and connection, along with his love for life and vitality, to Forest of Voices.
Linda Cirella
*~A Soulful journey to your heart ~*
Song has always been an essential part of Linda’s life. Catching, weaving & sharing song is a big of who she is. Words don’t always come easy for her, but songs do!! You will likely find her singing in the garden, on the forest trail or in the kitchen while she works… She is happiest when singing & is always keen to share songs, learn songs & sing with others!
Julia Sevitt
*~Spiralling Awake: A Journey Into the Feeling Body~*
Julia has spent the past 25 years exploring her being through the healing arts and a multitude of creative arts. She has a background in clown, vocal improv, various styles of dance, and theatre. She works as an acupuncturist, astrologer, qi gong/yoga teacher and retreat organizer. She has a huge passion for community building and is focused on compassionate and regenerative living.
Lyla Harman
*~Spirit of the Language (Hul'q'umi'num')~*
‘Uy’ skweyul sii’em. Good day friends and relatives. My traditional name is Peye’tunaat I am Quw’utsun and live in the Cowichan valley. My passion is to support safe healing-learning spaces. I’m learning my traditional Hul’q’umi’num’ language through singing. Singing is a potent way to connect where words cannot. We will explore a Coast Salish oral legend and songs through drumming and singing.
Schedule
Friday, August 15th
12:00 PM – Gates OpenMeetings and orientations will be offered in this time for Song leaders, Volunteers and Child care families.
4:00 PM – Opening Circle (We welcome you to our Opening Circle to start in a gratitude ceremony to honour the Coast Salish Peoples, whose lands we will be singing upon. We are offering 5% of profit proceeds to the Stqeeye’ Learning Society, which supports the land restoration project in Xwaaqw'um, Salt Spring and will learn about this important project. Our special guests will be sharing songs and prayers, offering history of the land to support us and root us in for our weekend in song. We will also guide our song village in orientation, introductions, intentions, vocal connection exercises, values, as well as go over safety and requests for the weekend. Please plan to arrive well in advance to set up your camp to fully participate!
6:00 PM – Dinner served by Nature’s Chef Tom Kral
7:00 PM – facilitated song circles
9:00 PM – open song circles
Saturday, August 16th
8:00 AM – Gates re-open8:30 AM – facilitated morning song circles
10:30 AM – Brunch
11:30 AM – facilitated early afternoon song circles
1:30 PM – facilitated afternoon song circles
4:00 PM – facilitated late afternoon song circles
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:00 PM – facilitated evening song circle
9:00 PM – open song circles
Sunday, August 17th
8:30 AM – facilitated morning song circles10:30 AM – Brunch
11:30 AM – facilitated early afternoon song circles
1:30 PM – facilitated afternoon song circles
3:00 PM – Closing ceremony
7:00 PM – all attendees packed up and off the property unless participating in take down related tasks
What To Bring
Warm Clothing – Evenings can be chilly, so pack layers to stay cozy.
Headlamp or Flashlight – Especially useful for moving around after dark and during evening circles.
Chair or Blanket – For sitting comfortably during song circles and shared meals.
Plate, Cup, and Cutlery – Please bring your own reusable dishes for meals. (Yes—bring them!!)
Water bottle to stay hydrated - essential for singing.
Natural Insect Repellant – To keep the bugs at bay.
An Open Heart and Your Beautiful Voice – No experience needed, just a willingness to sing and share.
Snacks and any extra foods you wish bring with you.
Please avoid bringing scented products, including strong laundry detergents, perfumes, or lotions. Let’s keep the space as scent-free as possible for everyone’s comfort and well-being.
Join Us
August 15-17th
Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada
