If I cannot fly, let me sing.
~ Stephen Sondheim
Lisa G. Littlebird is dedicated to reclaiming song as a vital technology of human connection. When joining voices in community, we not only discover a pathway to communion and release, we cultivate wellness, mindfulness, empathy and joy.
Her mission is to restore community singing to our daily lives, in service to a vision of a thriving and harmonious planet.
Lisa is a singer, composer, writer, and voice coach with more than 30 years of musical experience. She leads community singing workshops and retreats throughout the US and internationally, and has been on the faculty of Esalen Institute since 2006.
Lisa is the founder of Littlebird Songleader Flight School, an online training program for emerging songleaders with more than 200 graduates worldwide. She is also the founder/ director of the 160-member Wholehearted Chorus on the Central Coast of California. She holds a Bachelors of Music from the conservatory at Miami University in Oxford, OH and former executive director of the Denver Women’s Chorus. She resides in Carmel, CA.
You can support Lisa’s mission of spreading community singing in the world (including her extensive free song library) by becoming a Patreon patron here.
Wholehearted is a heart-led, joy-based community chorus, open to all voices on the Central Coast of California.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the chorus met weekly, all year-round in two locations: The American Legion Hall in Monterey on Monday evenings and the Grange Hall in Big Sur on Wednesday evenings. In-person singing is currently paused until the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 is mitigated.
Littlebird Flight School is a comprehensive, 6-week online course, offering an accessible but deep dive into the basic skills needed to effectively lead, organize and grow community song circles. Learn more »
With more than 15 years of corporate facilitation experience, Lisa brings a unique, enlivening, and effective offering to working teams in the business sector. She has several curricula appropriate for small or large groups that can be customized to your needs. Learn more »
Lisa offers accessible and transformative community singing workshops for singers of all levels of experience. Based on the central coast of California, she travels internationally leading song at festivals and facilitating workshops and immersive retreats. Learn more »
"I took a 1 hour workshop with you at Esalen in Dec. Thank you, I wanted to honor you for helping me realize my voice. As a child I sang all the time. During that 1 hour my soul rejoiced in finding that long lost place once again. Gracias."
~ Alana
"Thank you so much for helping me find joy in singing; I have been silent so long... you've touched my heart."
~ Beth Ann
"I very much enjoyed the healing energy that your singing gave us all.
Thank you so much for shining and holding space with an open heart."
~ Jessica
"Thank you for being such an inspiration and solid teacher. I loved all the tools you gave to us and I think of you almost every time I sing... I have been on a beautiful discovery in this past short period of time and have started singing more and more. I even sang at a friend's wedding last weekend in front of a hundred people. Woweee!"
~ Naomi
"My first experience with any type of organized group singing and I now wonder what I've been waiting for. Lisa fosters a nuturing, safe, encouraging atmosphere for everyone to learn in, and it's really fun! You won't believe you can sing the stuff Lisa puts out there but you'll soon see that you can! "
~ Stacy
"Do yourself a favor and take one of Lisa Goettel's Rise Up Singing workshops - she has a wonderful style, great talent, and an endlessly encouraging attitude. Highly recommended!"
~ Ed
Different Songs Taught
Workshops Experienced
Weekly Classes Enjoyed
Happy Singers
I want to sing like birds sing, not worrying about who hears or what they think.
~ Rumi