Women's Summer Singing Retreat With Sisters in Harmony

Heather Houston is a Santa Cruz-based song leader, choral director, recording artist, and vocal empowerment coach with over 30 years of experience in uplifting hearts and building community through the power of song. Founder of the Yala Lati Women’s Choir and creator of the Sisters in Harmony Retreats, Heather leads transformative singing experiences both in person and online, including at venues like Esalen, Sivananda Bahamas, and 1440 Multiversity. Her music, rooted in themes of healing, unity, and connection with nature, is sung by communities worldwide and can be found in her online song library and on all major streaming platforms.

Heather Houston

Nourish yourself with nature, song and sisterhood!

Green Mountain Retreat

<h3>July 15th-17th, 2022</h3><blockquote>A women's singing retreat at the stunning <a href="https://www.greenmountainretreat.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Green Mountain Retreat</a> center in the Santa Cruz Mountains! </blockquote><blockquote>Please join <a href="https://heatherhoustonmusic.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Heather,</a><a href="http://www.beckyreardonmusic.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer"></a> <a href="http://www.debbienargi-brown.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Debbie Nargi-Brown</a>, <a href="http://www.melaniedemore.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Melanie DeMore</a>,  <a href="http://www.amandawestmusic.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Amanda West, </a> and <a href="https://thelivingroomchoir.com/about-kaitie-ty/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Kaitie Ty Warren</a>, for a nourishing weekend of circling and singing. Qi Gong with <a href="https://www.doctorleta.com" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr. LeTa</a>. </blockquote><blockquote>Immerse yourself in sacred sisterhood, song, qi gong, meditation, ritual, nature, a swimming pool, and hiking trails. We’ll be singing together in one big group the entire weekend, with the exception of a round robin session where we will break into smaller groups and YOU will have the opportunity to lead and learn songs from the other participants. (Don't worry, leading a song is optional!)  :)</blockquote><blockquote>Fill your cup with songs that open your heart and uplift your spirit!</blockquote><h3>Food </h3><blockquote>Organic, locally sourced,  gluten-free meals.</blockquote><h3>Lodging </h3><blockquote>Dorm rooms and cottages. </blockquote><blockquote>Private beds in shared rooms and cottages are available. Limited single rooms are also available. All accommodations include shared bathrooms.</blockquote><blockquote>No camping in tents, RV's, or vans are allowed on site.</blockquote><blockquote>Directions to the retreat center will be emailed to registrants a week prior to the event.</blockquote><blockquote>We will create a private Facebook page for registered participants only to arrange ride shares and to connect and make roommate choices prior to the retreat.</blockquote><blockquote>Transportation:  It's easy to take shuttles and Ubers from the San Jose airport.</blockquote><h3>Covid Protocol:</h3><blockquote>Safety is our utmost priority. </blockquote><blockquote>Everyone must provide proof of vaccination.  </blockquote><blockquote>Everyone must provide proof of negative Covid test taken 72-48 hours prior.</blockquote><blockquote>Everyone will be required to take a rapid test upon arrival. Please bring your own rapid test.  </blockquote><blockquote>IF you test positive, you will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. </blockquote><blockquote>Masks are optional unless we have a mask mandate at that time. </blockquote><blockquote>Our first choice is to sing indoors in the Performance Hall. The acoustics in that room are incredible!</blockquote><blockquote>Our second choice will be to sing outdoors in the courtyard. </blockquote><blockquote>You can eat indoors in the dining hall, or outdoors in the courtyard.</blockquote><blockquote>We will assess at the time of the retreat what is best and safest for everyone. As you all know, it's difficult to predict what will be happening with Covid. </blockquote><h3>Schedule </h3><blockquote>(Subject to change)</blockquote><blockquote><strong>Friday:</strong></blockquote><blockquote>3:00 – Arrival, Settle In, Free Time</blockquote><blockquote>5:00 – Welcome Circle With Singing </blockquote><blockquote>6:00 – Dinner</blockquote><blockquote>7:30 – 9:30 – Evening Singing Session</blockquote><blockquote><strong>Saturday:</strong></blockquote><blockquote>7:00 – 8:00 – Qi Gong</blockquote><blockquote>8:00 – Breakfast</blockquote><blockquote>9:30 – 12:00 – Morning Singing Session</blockquote><blockquote>12:00 – Lunch and Free Time</blockquote><blockquote>2:30 – 5:30 – Afternoon Singing Session</blockquote><blockquote>5:30 – 6:00 – Silent Time (bring a journal)</blockquote><blockquote>6:00 – Dinner</blockquote><blockquote>7:15 – 9:15 – Evening Round Robin (participants invited to share / teach songs in small groups of 20 or so)</blockquote><blockquote>9:30 - 10:00 - Lullabies with Heather and song leaders - bring your cozies, feel free to lie down and receive or sing with us! </blockquote><blockquote><strong>Sunday:</strong></blockquote><blockquote>7:00 – 8:00 – Qi Gong</blockquote><blockquote>8:00 – Breakfast &amp; Pack Up</blockquote><blockquote>10:00 – 12:00 – Closing Circle</blockquote><blockquote>Off property by 1:00 — bring snacks! (There are plenty of restaurants and health food stores 20 - 30 minutes away.)</blockquote><p>------</p><h3>ABOUT the Facilitators:</h3><p><strong>Amanda West</strong></p><blockquote>Amanda is an award-winning singer, songwriter, song-circle leader, music teacher and mother. She is co-founder of Womb Song, U.S., an organization that supports women into motherhood through music. She understands music to be a part of our human birthright, playing an essential role in our experience of being alive, and has found her life-path and greatest joy through sharing music with others.</blockquote><p><strong>Debbie Nargi-Brown</strong></p><blockquote>For over 3 decades, Debbie Nargi-Brown has been leading dancing and singing in Santa Cruz and beyond; teaching African-inspired dance classes, leading Community Sings as well as facilitating retreats and workshops. She writes songs for the heart, for healing, for transformation, for love, for grief and all those things that connects us as human beings. Bringing people together in dance and song is one of her greatest sources of joy!</blockquote><p><strong>Heather Houston</strong></p><blockquote>Born with voice full of heart and soul, Central Coast Californian Heather Houston is passionate about uplifting spirits, freeing voices, and building strong, loving communities through the power of singing. Heather is a community choir directing virtuoso and vocal coach extraordinaire with over 20-years experience writing and producing music, leading song circles, and offering life transforming events at venues like Esalen and 1440 Multiversity. In these trying times, Heather continues to spread her magic through her multiple online offerings - The Art of Mindful Singing, Singing as Sanctuary, S.H.E. Sings, Sisters in Harmony Song and Chant Leader Training, and her Sisters in Harmony Global drop-in series with guest artists and song leaders. You can find her music on all of the streaming platforms.</blockquote><p><strong>Kaitie Ty Warren</strong></p><blockquote>Kaitie Ty Warren is a Bay Area-based song leader, teacher, writer, cartoonist, and performer. Passionate about creating joyful experiences through music, Kaitie uses simple yet luscious harmonies to build bridges within communities and bring people together in song. In early 2020, Kaitie's Living Room Choir moved online, and that fall her first child was born. Nowadays, in addition to the Living Room Choir, Kaitie is now also hosting Simple Harmonies: Songs for Babies and Their Grown-Ups; both mostly on Zoom. Her dream, pandemic-willing, is to someday soon host a vibrant, in-person, intergenerational choir for babies, children, and adults of all ages to sing together.</blockquote><p><strong>LeTa Jussila</strong></p><blockquote>Dr. LeTa is a Certified Qi Gong Instructor for the past 15 years and has studied under various masters in the U.S. and in China. Qi Gong literally means “Energy Cultivation Practice” in Chinese. It sees your thoughts, emotions and the physical body as an integrated energy source that can be mastered and cultivated. Dr. LeTa will lead you in different Qi Gong practices to help you have a a deeper connection to your own internal energetic experience and start your day off in a flow state. LeTa is a Doctor of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine and national wellness expert.</blockquote><p><strong>Melanie DeMore</strong></p><blockquote>Singer-songwriter Melanie DeMore has a remarkable voice, weaving the fibers of African American folk music with soulful ballads, spirituals, and her own original music. DeMore beautifully brings her audience together through her music and commentary. She has toured extensively, singing at festivals, universities, coffee houses, and concert halls. Her recordings, "Share My Song" and "Come Follow Me," are both heartfelt collections of her music.</blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><h3>Tickets:</h3><blockquote>Paid in FULL and Payment Plans are available.</blockquote><blockquote>Payment Plans: To register for a payment plan please email my assistant at nataliesjewels@yahoo.com for a personalized registration code.</blockquote><blockquote>Early Bird: Payment Plan costs $50 administrative fee above paid-in-full price. A deposit of 50% holds your place; with a 25% payment due in April, and the remaining 25% balance due in May.</blockquote><blockquote>On-Time Bird: Payment Plan costs $100 administrative fee above paid-in-full price. A deposit of 50% holds your place; with a 25% payment due in May, and the remaining 25% balance due in June.</blockquote><h3>Cancelation Policy:</h3><blockquote>Cancellations between now and April 15th are refundable minus a $100 administrative fee.</blockquote><blockquote>Cancellations between April 16th and June 14th are 50% refundable to cover the costs of the retreat already paid.</blockquote><blockquote>Cancellations after June 15th are non-refundable. </blockquote><blockquote>At any time you are welcome to gift your place at the retreat to someone else, of your choosing. There will be a $50 administrative fee to do so (payable by you or them.)</blockquote><blockquote>IF you test positive for COVID, you will receive a full refund minus a $50 administrative fee. </blockquote><h3>If we cancel on you:</h3><blockquote>Full refund minus $50 administrative fee. The $50 helps us recover some of the expenses we have already made, and the time and resources we have spent tracking your registration and housing requests. </blockquote><h3>What to Bring: </h3><ul><li>Covid Rapid Result Test to take upon arrival</li><li>Proof of Vaccination</li><li>Proof of negative covid test taken 72- 48 hours prior</li><li>Earplugs (If you're a sensitive sleeper)</li><li>Snacks (Especially for Sunday. We need to be off campus by one, so no lunch will be provided that day. There are restaurants within a 20 minute drive from our venue.)</li><li>Water bottle</li><li>Travel mug </li><li>Flashlight / headlamp </li><li>Comfortable layers of clothing that you can move and breathe in</li><li>Good walking shoes</li><li>Hiking shoes if you'd like to hike on the property</li><li>Shower/pool shoes</li><li>Bathing suit</li><li>Towel for the pool (shower towels are provided)</li><li>Sunglasses </li><li>Sun hat</li><li>Warm hat</li><li>Sunscreen</li><li>Toiletries</li><li>Journal</li><li>An item for our collective altar - something that you want to charge up with the powerful energy of our time together and take home with you as a reminder. </li></ul><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><blockquote></blockquote><p></p>

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