Explore, delight, and surprise yourself with the uniqueness of your soul's song, through the spirit of play. This live, interactive Zoom gathering is a safe and fun space to build a more intimate relationship to your voice and experience the joy of creation.

Guest facilitator Onome will guide you in tuning into the flow of your imagination, with practices based on:

• Improvisation

• Mindfulness

• Deep listening

• Delving into the somatic experience of singing

• Writing your own affirmation chants

  • All music skill levels and backgrounds are welcome.

  • Bring a journal, a pen, and a water bottle.

FAQ

  • Is this a live event?

    No. This is a recording of a session that was live. [View our upcoming live events]

  • What happens in Stellar Village song circles?

    In our community song circles we sing "teaching songs", which are songs full of wisdom that are meant to be easily shared and learned. We do our song circles in Zoom and usually sing a capella (without instruments or with light instrumentation in service of the song).

    The songleader introduces each song and then teaches it at the pace we need, with built in pauses for you to be able to repeat the song. In Zoom, the attendee mics are mostly off, so you'll be able to sing along with the songleader wherever you are.

  • How long is the session?

    1.5 hours.

    This was a first song circle on this platform, so we started with 90 minutes. Our virtual song circles now are usually about 1 hour long, with a bonus chance for some connection with each other at the end in break-out groups in guided discussion (about 20 minutes). Breakout rooms are not recorded, for privacy, bringing to your home or community.

  • Can my friends join me or do we all need to sign up?

    You don't have to sing alone if you have friends to meet up with in person. Create your own song circle by inviting your friends to sing along with you. After all, singing is always more fun with friends!

    If you are in different places, you'll each need your own account.

  • What if I don't think of myself as a singer?

    Singers of all levels welcome! If you don't sing professionally or believe you don't sing "well" we especially invite your curiosity! All voices are good voices.

  • What do you have for accessibility?

    Virtual song circles are an accessible option already, great for parents of young children, folks with limited mobility.

    The content player for this recording includes an automated session transcript and English captions. You also get a document with the words to the songs.

  • How do I access the material?

    You just need to be logged in and then click on "Start" or "Resume" at the top of the page.

    If you don't have access yet you can just scroll down to sign up.

Songleader: Amanda West

Onome ❤️

Vocal Improvisation-Based Artist and Teacher

\Onome leads experiences at the intersection of voice, creativity, and mindfulness. She is a partner artist at Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute, where she contributes her performances and trainings across their vast educational programming spectrum. She has collaborated with numerous organizations as an artist-in-residence, teaching artist, and trainer - including the United Nations, Teachers College-Columbia University, Juilliard, Música do Círculo in Brazil, Grace Episcopal Church, and Bobby McFerrin's CircleSongs retreat at Omega Institute.

Onome grew up with her ear in multiple worlds, starting with the Nigerian Urhobo lilt of her immigrant parents, and the African-American vernacular of her classmates. She got her start as a choir geek and embraced the eclecticism of folk, soul, spirituals, European classical chorale, rock, and hip-hop music that she grew up with in Chicago.

As a vocalist and educator, Onome centers improvisation in her practice as a form of energy work for well-being, creative expansion, and personal development. She guides groups to confidently wield the power of their imaginations, and foster creative fellowship with each other through contemplative practices, relational games, and vocal play.

Her work tends to resonate for:

• heart-led humans committed to moving beyond fear and stuckness to emotional freedom and fulfillment

• expressive arts enthusiasts whose souls are deeply nourished by community vocal rituals

• organizations committed to building thriving cultures of connection through experiential learning in the workplace.

Go to https://www.onome.org to learn more about her offerings.

Ready to Sing?

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