Sing & Celebrate!

This is our first season of adding a ‘showcase’ element to some of our groups. It is an opportunity for people to share the fun of what they have been experiencing in the group, and to experience themselves differently as performers, working to create a presentation together for family and friends. Our focus is not on perfection , but on participation - and there is healing as we 

The celebrations were a great success, with fantastic feedback!

St. Camillus Nursing & Rehabilitation

We ran sessions on 4 units in September & October, gathering in the community space at the center of the units and getting to know the residents who were excited to respond, and seeing some others grow in their responses over the weeks. 

One resident, “Jon”, was there from the start, but was silent in the group, seeming to be unable to speak, with a very rigid body that allowed only some minimal arm movements. At one early session when I was inviting folks to share songs, he called me over and quietly asked if I knew Bobby McFerrin’s “Don’t worry, be happy”. So of course this song became a staple of our early sessions!

From November, we met weekly at a central space (the chapel) and the residents were brought to join the session, where we had 20-35 residents each week.

Jon continued to come each week - and his sister was there sometimes and told me “he doesn’t say much”. Jon would participate with some small movements and was always alert and present. The change came when we began to offer solos around the group, passing a microphone and inviting folks to sing a few lines of a Holiday song. Jon surprised everyone by singing ‘White Christmas’ all the way through! His voice was low, rich and gravelly, and it was a joy to hear someone who sits mainly in silence to open up and find a way to connect and to express himself. Getting to know Jon each week, I saw that he was often unable to open his mouth to speak - but in the music something unlocked for him.

After 20 years of working as a music therapist, I have been witness to these sorts of moments - where the music gives invitation and supports people to ‘out-perform’ other’s expectations. These are the magical moments that give the work such meaning. 

With our new ‘Sing&Celebrate’ program, we were able to offer a showcase of some of these small moments. We carefully planned a songlist of Holiday songs, including moments for shakers and bells, and a candlelight section to sing together with the audience.

From our regular weekly group, on the afternoon of our ‘celebration’ for invited guests we ended up with 45 performers! (many I had not met before!) & an audience of 30, made up of family and St Camillus admin & nursing staff. One of the highlights of the show was Jon singing ‘White Christmas’, and once he had sung this solo, he was also then able to sing along with the group songs, grinning from ear to ear through our 40 minutes of shared and treasured moments!

From this individual story, there was also a warming, shared group experience, and many of the residents thanked me at the end of our Holiday celebration.

“This is what it’s all about. Thank you for reminding us what Christmas is all about!”

“Thank you so much for bringing us together like this. It has been the most special afternoon!”

The recreation therapist Nicole, who had set up our partnership and who worked with us over the weeks to set up the sessions, was so happy with the event, and was certain that it would be talked about for a long time amongst staff and residents. 

She sent me this email the morning after our Holiday Showcase:

“The buzz in the hallways was so positive today! The Nurse Administrator said that they have never had anything like this before and wondered how I found ‘Singing Soulutions’… Thanks again for a wonderful experience.“

Sing & Celebrate: Neurodiverse Minds

We held a more public showcase in the community for our 2 Neurodiverse Minds groups in December, bringing them together into a chorus of 25 (including a very enthusiastic number of support workers!), performing to an audience of 50 at the Pink Rock Culture Coop in downtown Syracuse.

The evening was a great success, and we will be back in the Spring to offer another fun experience of growing our participation through connecting with our bodies and moving them more freely, deepening our breath and raising our voices together in community noisemaking!

Come and join the fun! - it’s a tried and tested way to support our physical and mental health!

And our singing approaches at Singing Soulutions bring community glue! - it is a bonding and connected experience.

“Since I’ve been singing in this group I have felt so much better“- Karoline - Support worker.

“Paige loves coming to the group. It is such an inclusive space!” - McKenzie - Support worker.

“I love singing with my friends!” - Selah

Small Steps Create Big Shifts

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Turn Intention Into Action

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.

Make Room for Growth

Confidence doesn’t always arrive with a bold entrance. Sometimes, it builds quietly, step by step, as we show up for ourselves day after day. It grows when we choose to try, even when we’re unsure of the outcome. Every time you take action despite self-doubt, you reinforce the belief that you’re capable. Confidence isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about trusting that you can figure it out along the way.

The key to making things happen isn’t waiting for the perfect moment; it’s starting with what you have, where you are. Big goals can feel overwhelming when viewed all at once, but momentum builds through small, consistent action. Whether you’re working toward a personal milestone or a professional dream, progress comes from showing up — not perfectly, but persistently. Action creates clarity, and over time, those steps forward add up to something real.

You don’t need to be fearless to reach your goals, you just need to be willing. Willing to try, willing to learn, and willing to believe that you’re capable of more than you know. The road may not always be smooth, but growth rarely is. What matters most is that you keep going, keep learning, and keep believing in the version of yourself you’re becoming.