GATHER AND SING
A community singing collective in the Hudson Valley, led by Elissa Maas Weinzimmer
In collaboration with the Athens Cultural Center. Fall season begins Monday, October 6th!
Singing brings us together.
Gather and Sing is a non-auditioned, multi-generational, seasonal community gathering for singing. Singing together boosts our mood, lowers stress levels, and creates strong social bonds. Come build community resilience by gathering to sing!
How it works
Each season we meet for eight weeks, and sings songs honoring the season. We welcome all ages and all vocal abilities, with no auditions.
The Schedule
Our fall season will meet at the Athens Cultural Center (24 2nd St, Athens, NY 12015) on Mondays from 6-8pm, on the following days:
Monday October 6th
Monday October 13th
Monday October 20th
no gathering October 27th
Monday November 3rd
Monday November 10th
Monday November 17th
no gathering November 24th
Monday December 1st
Monday December 8th*
*The final session on Monday December 8th is the Gather and Sing Social - family and friends are invited!
The Songs
We are sing simple, seasons-inspired music. We hope you'll be singing these songs to yourself between sessions, and even sharing them with others!
We will often be moving while singing! This is not a traditional choir, standing in a semi-circle. We'll be roving through the space and mixing our voices. (While accommodating for all physical needs... the space is wheelchair accessible, and folks of all movement abilities are welcome.)
Some songs will be sung in unison, some songs will be sung in rounds, and some songs will have low, middle, and high parts. We will not use the labels of traditional choirs (bass, tenor, alto, soprano) so that all are free to sing the part they like the best.
We will learn approximately 10-12 songs each season, and you'll have tracks to practice with between sessions.
If you don't consider yourself a strong singer, or if you've been told you're "tone-deaf" (oof!!), you are welcomed into this group with wide arms. It is everyone's birthright to make sound!
The Guidelines
Gather and Sing is a closed container. There are no drop-ins.
Children of all ages are welcome, provided they can participate fully for the two hour session, and that they attend with a parent or caregiver. (Ages 15, 16, & 17 may attend without a caregiver - please write to [email protected] so we can discuss.)
This is an in-person, masks optional gathering. Please do not attend if you are sick!
The cost to join for a season is $150, regardless of attendance. You'll get the most out of coming to each session, so you
This is an experiential group, focused on the joy we build when singing together. There is no public performance,
The Athens Cultural Center
The workshop will be held at the beautiful Balance Arts Center in Manhattan:
151 W. 30th St, 3rd Floor, NY, NY 10001
Please note, accommodations and food are not included in the workshop. Balance Arts Center is in the neighborhood called Chelsea. If you need help finding a good place to stay or suggestions for where to eat, we're happy to support you. Email [email protected].
Learn more about Balance Arts Center here.
Enrollment
I know summer is a busy time, so I'm offering you the option to join us for one, two, or three days:
ONE DAY
$150
Attend either Friday, Saturday, or Sunday.
(You'll have a chance to indicate which day you'll be joining us.)
TWO DAYS
$250
Attend two out of the three days of the workshop.
(You'll have a chance to indicate which two days you'll be joining us.)
THREE DAYS
$350
Attend the full workshop.
Get the full experience and the continuity of working together on embodiment, voice, and expression!
"Elissa is a master of bridging the very important connection between mind, body and voice! And she teaches with soul because she is not only incredibly knowledgeable, but she's passionate and interested in what she's sharing. It's the compassion that really shines through in her voice workshop. "
Joan
Actor
"Not only did Elissa teach me techniques to open up my voice as both a singer and a speaker, which over years of use and injury had become significantly less pleasant to use, she helped me understand the voice as an instrument in a whole new light. The exercises were relevant, easy to implement, and impactful. I am so grateful for this transformation!"
Denna
Singer
"My vocal cords felt strained from "talking" (more like yelling!) all day in my open plan tech startup. When I left work, I didn't even want to talk to my Mom on the phone, let alone go out and be social. Elissa helped me understand how to transform my vocal fry, and gave me exercises to protect my voice and engage breath support. What I didn't expect were the breakthroughs about finding my voice, not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually!"
Molly
Director of Business Development
"Elissa has helped me develop a more resonant sound, gain endurance, and improve my performance. Many voiceover pros are recognizing the significant interaction our breathing, posture, and health have with our voice. She's highly educated, fun to work with, and understands the unique demands professional voice users put on their voices."
Sean
Voiceover Actor
"Working with Elissa has helped change my experience of life. It’s exactly what I have been seeking. I released over 35 years of unconscious patterns that were no longer serving me. There was no "mind" and "figuring out" involved ... just progress and transformation. "
Kirsten
Actor
About Elissa
Elissa Maas Weinzimmer has been teaching voice & movement for nearly two decades, online and throughout North America. Her interest in voice teaching began after suddenly losing her own voice at age 21 due to a vocal hemorrhage, severe onset of acid reflux, and muscle tension dysphonia. Elissa has MFA in Theatre Voice Pedagogy from the University of Alberta and is certified in Body-Mind Centering®, Fitzmaurice Voicework®, and Hatha yoga. Find her music on any platform by searching Elissa Maas.
Ready to join me in exploring your voice, your body, and the connection between them? I'd love to see you in July!
