During normal circumstances, Lisa G. and other local songleaders lead weekly community singing classes on the Central Coast of California. These classes are held most of the year, open to the public, and require no experience.
In consideration of the health and safety of our participants, Lisa will not resume in-person offerings until the public health crisis caused by COVID-19 is mitigated.
Songs of the Spirit is a drop-in class to soothe you and bring restoration to your heart! We learn by listening and focus on songs with healing & spiritual qualities. All voices are welcome.
Classes on the second Tuesday of each month are led by Lisa and all other classes are led by Cynthia Fernandes. Bring layers to be comfortable in our beautiful garden dome space, which can sometimes get a little chilly. We lock the door to the store at 6:30 but if you arrive late please text the number on the door and we’ll love to come get you!
Contributions:
These classes are offered for a drop-in of $10-20. No singer is ever turned away for lack of funds.
Schedule & Location
Tuesdays in Carmel – 6:30 – 8:00 pm
At the Secret Garden in downtown Carmel
The Secret Garden is located behind Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore on Dolores St. between 5th and 6th. Enter through the Pilgrim’s Way Bookstore. See map below. There is ample free parking on the street.
Wholehearted Chorus
All singers are welcome to join our thriving chorus in Monterey and Big Sur!
Each spring and fall, WHC has 14-week seasons culminating in two season concerts with the combined Big Sur & Monterey communities. The chorus is open to new singers for the first few weeks of each season, and then closes to new and drop-in singers. Learn more here.
Songs in these classes are learned by oral tradition and come from diverse traditions around the world.
The Grange is located on the west side of Highway 1 just south of Ripplewood and the Big Sur Roadhouse. Heading south from Carmel, you’ll pass the Roadhouse then cross a very short bridge over Juan Higuera Creek. Take an immediate right onto the paved driveway and follow the pavement to the right to the Grange.
Click on any item in the calendar for details.
Map to The Secret Garden in Carmel:
Please give yourself time to find street parking.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
It's amazing how people sing out and even do their best when they just feel free ``like birds`` to sing and have fun. No one is yelling at them to raise their pitch, etc. People under Lisa's leadership seem to naturally be in musical harmony.
I am blessed to have a beautiful singing circle here in Monterey at last! I consider it my song sangha! The leader is Lisa Goettel. She is lovely, sings like a bird, with such a generosity of spirit and is a very skilled and delightful teacher. She is spreading the joy of singing together around the world and making these songs accessible to all.
I find it strange that with all the psycho-therapeutic modalities I've explored, I never really put singing together with healing. How did I miss that ? (rhetorical) There was a moment during last weeks class that Lisa said (in a rather quiet voice) ``We're Healers.`` That was the moment it crystallized.
Lisa is a whiz at bringing out the best in us with a Buddhist approach - total acceptance, no judgment, great support, empathy and compassion. My friends at our spring concert were wowed and loved it all - they all commented on the great assortment of songs, the fact that we all seemed to be in complete joy and that they were infected by our passion.
I feel like I’ve found my heart’s home with all of you. Lisa and her vision are a gift from the Divine.
