Sing It Girls Hamilton

Winter 2021 registration is open! Join us online for 6 sessions starting January 13th as we share music, laugh, and find new ways to express ourselves. Ages 7-10, 6pm Ages 11-14, 7pm... Register at www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls

Resilience is so important right now and can be hard to access. Some great tips here!

Amanda Gorman's beautiful poem set to music by Rostam

Missing our in-person sessions so very much! But it's been wonderful to expand the program and meet girls from FOUR different groups over the past week. We are so grateful for the sense of community & connection that we feel at Sing it Girls. Send us an email or DM if you'd like to join the waiting list for next session

Exciting news for one of our Sing it Girls facilitators. Congrats Jen!

Winter sessions start this week! We are mostly sold out, but it's not too late to register for the 11-14 program, which starts TOMORROW. Can't wait to sing together! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-a

Our younger programs are sold out, but there are a couple of spots left in the 11-14 group starting next Wednesday! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-a

This year I've been refocusing my bookshelves, social media, and education to include more Indigenous voices. They sure have a lot to teach about respecting the water and land

The way we breathe has a huge impact on our mental state! Sing it Girls participants know how important is it to breathe with our diaphragms. Take a few moments to notice your breath today!

Did you know that we offer private voice lessons and music therapy through Symmetry Music? One of the best parts of teaching is finding new songs that help students feel empowered. This awesome online student has requested a number of beautiful songs that are perfect for Sing it Girls! To learn more about private lessons and therapy, send us a message or visit www.symmetrymusic.com

Music therapists have the unique ability to support connection and growth in clients without needing words and explanations. We are excited to connect with our next group of girls starting November 4th. Only 2 spots left! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-t

Every child matters. Every person matters. Today is Orange Shirt Day, which was created to spread awareness about Canada's residential schools and to honour those who survived them. Canada's history with Indigenous people is a violent expression of white supremacy, which continues today. Our neighbouring city, Brantford, had a fully operational residential school until 1970. The effects of intergenerational trauma run deep. The suicide rate among Indigenous youth is 5-7 times... higher than the national average. We need to do better, and it starts with difficult conversations about Canada's true history. Art by @holysmoookes #orangeshirtday #everychildmatters #indigenouslivesmatter #colonization #healing #truth #reconciliation

How does Sing it Girls work online?! Avalon explains how a typical session unfolds over Zoom. Our fall session starts on October 7th! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-t

"... research suggests that playing music or singing together may be particularly potent in bringing about social closeness through the release of endorphins." Not news to us!

Have you met Annilee? She will be facilitating our next fall program, starting October 7th! Annilee is a certified Music Therapist in Hamilton, Ontario. She earned an Honours B.A. with distinction in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour from McMaster University, and a Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy from Concordia University. Presently, she is a sessional instructor for the course Introduction to Music Therapy Research at McMaster. Annilee uses a client-centred approach... to empower others to reach their full potential and connect more deeply to themselves and others through music. She enjoys being a Sing It Girls Facilitator, and loves to see the connections and friendships that are made during this program! In addition to this work, Annilee channels her appreciation for continuing education and lifelong learning through her role as Director of Communications with the Music Therapy Academy. https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-t

We love connecting girls with new friends! Our next online session starts on October 7th for ages 7-12. Register through the Facebook event or right here on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-t

What do you think of Billie Eilish as a role model? We love her Her lyrics are raw and relatable, and she's outspoken about her struggles with mental health. I especially love the lyrics of "my future" - a song about falling in love with yourself

Our fall program is here! Join us online starting October 7th. A certified music therapist will guide the girls through: Proper vocal warm-ups... Singing familiar songs Relaxation exercises Song-writing Space is limited - message us to save a spot or register here https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-t

Have you seen this new series? Great for kids of all ages. Dismantling oppressive systems starts at home!

Do you follow The Gottman Institute? So many resources for parenting and relationships. An important article on teaching consent: https://www.gottman.com//beyond-the-talk-teaching-your-ki/

Last week we wrapped up two more online programs! We are so grateful to offer community and self-care strategies to young women throughout the pandemic. What a wild time! Annilee supported her group in writing a song about "togetherness" using the tune of Firework by Katy Perry Thank you to this community for supporting us as we adapted to an online world, whether by signing up for the program or following us on social media. Stay tuned for new program announcements! ... "Together is a wonderful place to be."

Children pick up on our feelings and attitudes: "That anxiety, felt by both parents and teachers concerned about young Canadians' returning to the classroom, could have negative trickle down effects on children."

Finished this little book last week, including 28 days of reflective journaling. #meandwhitesupremacy by @laylafsaad invites readers to look at all the ways that we benefit from whiteness. It provides a space to examine unconscious biases and how we've been complicit in the upholding of racist systems. The biggest takeaway for me is that changing these systems starts at the individual level.... I believe this is required reading, especially for white therapists and educators. We are being invited to be part of a movement, and to do better than our ancestors. #blacklivesmatter #indigenouslivesmatter #antiracism #goodancestor #musictherapist

"We need community right now, and the primary way of working on psychological issues should be within groups...People want to understand that what they’re experiencing is a normal response to an abnormal situation and to have tools to help them cope."

My fear says, Shrink. You're taking up too much space. My soul says, Keep expanding. The world will learn to make space for you.... My fear says, Quieten down. Your voice is making others uncomfortable. My soul says, Speak up louder. And more often. You've been quiet for far too long. My fear says, Doubt yourself. You've always been such a disappointment. My soul says, Believe in yourself. You have far more potential inside of you than you can ever know. My soul speaks: I am here. I am with you. I've got your back. I won't ever let you down. Now speak. Be seen. Show up. Break the cycle that has kept you small and quiet. Defy the voice that has convinced you of your unworthiness. Insist on your existence. Insist on your magnificence. - Layla F. Saad, Soul Speak

Our summer sessions start TOMORROW! There are a few spots left in our 7-10 and 11-14 age groups! Message us or visit www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls to register or learn more. Can't wait to sing with you!

Wondering how Sing it Girls works online? Avalon walks us through a typical session. We have a new program starting on Thursday! Message us to learn more, or save a spot at www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls

Many of these techniques are taught at Sing it Girls! So important to remember that "health" includes mental health! https://www.washingtonpost.com//how-parents-can-protect-k/

Highlighting our older program today! Entering adolescence can be so challenging for young women, especially amidst a pandemic. Some of the feedback we've received from the older girls program: They loved making new friends in the online setting... Sing it Girls is a space where I can be myself and never feel judged They loved belting out Katy Perry songs and learning new Disney songs Our new session starts on Thursday! Message us with questions or register at www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls

"Find out what we're made of when we are called to help our friends in need"

Our 7-10 program starts in one week! A typical session looks like this: Check-in Warm-up Learning a strategy for our self-care toolkit ... Singing a familiar, empowering pop song Yoga, breathing, song-writing Space is limited to a maximum of 8 participants!