The Queer Songwriter Circle is a small online workshop group for queer and trans people and allies. At each meeting participants share a song they're working on and receive feedback from the teacher and the group in a warm, supportive setting. We use a method inspired by Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process: We start by sharing what we love about each song, then explore what's working and what could be revised to make the song stronger, tailoring our feedback to the songwriter's questions and areas they would like help with. Everyone participates in this process, and the goal is for all of us to learn something from each song we look at.

Each circle is limited to six participants so we can take a deep dive into each person's work and build an ongoing creative community. Most people play live so we can try out changes in real time, but you can also play a recording of your song. Every month there is an optional prompt to help get your writing started for next time. It is recommended (but not required) that participants have taken at least one songwriting class with Eli prior to joining a circle.

Sunday Session
2:30 - 5 pm pacific / 5:30 - 8 pm eastern
1st Sunday of the Month: Jul 6, Aug 3, Sep 14, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7, 2025

About the Teacher
Eli Conley is a singer-songwriter and teaching artist based in Sacramento, California. He is a certified teacher of Somatic Voicework - The LoVetri Method™ who continues to study to deepen his approach to contemporary vocal pedagogy. He performs and tours as a folk/country artist, and is a former member of the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus. In addition to group classes and workshops, Eli also offers private voice lessons and songwriting coaching for people of all identities, ages 13 and up.

What Past Participants Say
"Eli's songwriter circles are a delightful space where queer community, creativity, music, and mutual support all come together in beautiful ways. I highly recommend this circle for songwriters of all levels of experience who want support and motivation to keep writing!"

"There’s something magic about this circle. Both my group of peers and the way Eli creates and helps nurture that group. Having positive spaces that are not just about our identities but where we can share queer joy and queer grief is really meaningful. "

"This writing circle is such a great way to continue my songwriting practice and challenge myself to write consistently. Everyone has been super open to my songs whether they are just written an hour before or on their fifth draft. I love the feedback, flexibility, and community."

Accessibility
Neurodivergent and disabled folks are very welcome and encouraged to join us! Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.

Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register, to hold your spot
- 50% on the first day of class

At Cost: $330 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the minimum rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage. Consider paying this amount if doing so would be an investment, but not create hardship for you. You might choose this rate if you are regularly able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare) and have some expendable income, you can travel every few years without burden, and you have some debt but are able to pay it regularly.

Higher Rate: $375 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.

Lower Rate: $285 (2 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.

Pay What You Can: $110 - $250 (1 spot)
If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a significant hardship, this option is for you.

I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.

More Info

See all Eli's upcoming offerings for queer and trans folks and allies

Questions? SingWithEli@gmail.com

Registrations are closed

Queer Songwriter Circle - Sunday Session (Online)