Songleader Flight School

Littlebird Songleader Flight School
Decorative logo for "Little Bird Songleader Flight School" A 6-Week Online Course

The summer 2020 cohort is sold out!
Stay tuned for the next offering.

During this time of social distancing, the self-directed version of the course is offered at a discount: $349 now $199


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There has never been a more potent time to invest in healing, celebrating and connecting our world through song.During this time when group singing is largely unavailable to us in the traditional sense, we can come together to up-level our knowledge, capacities and connections, readying ourselves to greet the singing reunions to come with more joy than ever before. It’s the perfect time for current and future songleaders to bring focus to song-learning, skill-building and networking. Please join us for a wonderful summer opportunity to join our beautiful nest of song carriers.“Flight School was exquisite, divine, and nourishing! Lisa designed the lessons and prompts with thoughtful care, insightful reflection, and valuable tools. I feel woven into a web of song leaders who are led by love and dedicated to infusing joy, kindness and compassion into our world.”~ Francesca“Community singing is a powerful and joyful way to reconnect us to our courage, joy and humanity. It’s also the quickest way I’ve ever found to create a “we” out of a group of “me’s.” Flight School is a great gift to emerging song leaders who want to lend their voices to this beautiful movement. Lisa’s generous and brilliant course equips budding song leaders with everything they need to foster song in the world with confidence and skill.”
~ Barbara McAfee, Professional Songleader, Author, TedX Speaker & Creator of the Full Voice programABOUT THE COURSEDeveloped by community singing facilitator Lisa G. Littlebird, this online course offers an accessible but deep dive into the basic skills needed to effectively lead, organize and grow community song circles. The course has been refined based upon student feedback in the previous sold-out cohorts. It is offered over six weeks with a digestible and interactive presentation of the material each weekday.Whether you are an experienced singer with a vision of starting and leading a choir or are new to singing and wish to rapidly grow your confidence singing with others, this course is designed to meet your unique needs.Lisa writes:A group of song leaders gathered at the Flight School in a circle - they are singing together.“It is my passionate mission to see community singing become a  prolific activity in our modern, Western culture. I know firsthand that singing together profoundly boosts the wellbeing of each singer as well as the community as a whole. I hold a vision where community singing is as commonplace as yoga, found in every neighborhood and a part of our daily lives. I aim to create a pathway for many other song leaders to step forward – enriching the lives and communities around them while providing abundance for themselves. I see the uprising of a singing revolution that offers vitally necessary transformation and healing to our hearts, communities and planet.”This is a course for those who share that vision and wish to be a contributor in it. You will leave the course with:

    • A digestible but comprehensive knowledge base of tools and skills, developed over Lisa’s decade of teaching experience.
    • A library of resources to support your ongoing learning and service in singing, song facilitation, community organizing and business management.
    • A rich network of peers and allies on your path from around the world.

COURSE FORMATA Black and white image of Lisa G. Littlebird instructing a Flight School participant. The course is now offered in two formats. You may elect to purchase access to the course and use it in an entirely self-directed way, or join an organized and well-supported, interactive cohort.The online course includes access to more than 10 hours of audio and video content, dozens of articles and other resources to support your development and success as a song leader. Once purchased, you have permanent access to the course for as long as it exists.The structured cohort format also includes:

  • Pre-course self-evalution and testing to help identify your goals.
  • Personal goal and milestone tracking, supported by a private Skype or phone session with Lisa.
  • A daily email with a link to that day’s coursework delivered to you each weekday for six weeks. You may complete the class when it best works in your schedule, or choose to augment or skip classes according to your interest.
  • Assigned peer cohorts for interactive study, accountability, practice, support and networking.
  • Six live group video conference calls, all recorded for later playback. These are recommended but not required.
  • Access to a private Facebook group with the other students and alumni to share resources during the course and beyond.
  • A certificate of completion at the end of the course (not publicly accredited) with Lisa serving as a reference and mentor in your future endeavors.
  • Invitations to attend free ongoing songleader webinars on different subjects throughout the year.
  • Invitations to attend all in-person trainings.
  • Resources and connections with peers and allies for a lifetime!

The structured cohort is recommended, as it provides the structure and support that most students require for successful completion. However the new, self-directed option offers flexibility for those who need the material on a different schedule, are only wanting a portion of the content or are highly self-motivated. You can purchase the self-directed option now and access will be provided within 48 hours. You will have access to the course for as long as it exists from that date forward.COURSE SYLLABUSFlight School participants gathered around a fire, singing together and playing various acoustic instruments.This course is well-rounded in that it addresses the full breadth of skills that Lisa has found to be most useful in successful oral-tradition style song leading. You will likely have some areas of fluency and other areas that are less developed. The course is designed in a self-paced, modular and customizable way, so you can focus more on your personal areas of growth and move quickly through the sections where you already have competence.We will cover the following:

  • Group leadership & facilitation skills
  • Music theory basics
  • Ear training and harmonies
  • Specific skills for effective song sharing and leading
  • Building and organizing your song repertoire
  • Voice fundamentals – for yourself and supporting others
  • Community building
  • Business skills – organizational systems, marketing and creating an immediate career path by generating income
  • Profiles of other successful songleaders
  • Many new songs

Each segment includes specific skills and knowledge, Lisa’s personal tips and best practices and a large, living library of musical and professional resources.Of course, the most effective way to become a songleader is to practice! This course is focused not only on skill building, but on supporting you with actionable steps toward creating live practice opportunities.This course presents the equivalent material of a college course. Plan for about an hour each weekday of coursework and study, with additional time for peer and large group calls. No assignments or emails will be distributed on weekends.
IS IT FOR ME?Lisa G Littlebird performing an outdoor concert in front of an audience of mostly children. This class can be used and customized to meet a wide range of goals and experience. There is no grade or final test upon completion, allowing you freedom and ease to self-direct your time and focus.Experience with songleading is not required for this course, however I do recommend the following basic pre-requisites:

  • Some experience with singing in groups and the ability to accurately hear and match pitches and melodies.
  • A capacity for self-directed focus in an online learning environment.
  • The ability or willingness to gather groups of people together and offer leadership and clear communication in that environment.
  • A sincere interest in personal growth and in sharing songs with others.

If you register for an organized cohort, you will be with a group of other students taking the course at the same time, offering a unique opportunity to learn together and share resources.  To ensure the most beneficial experience for you and the other students, we will ask that you:

  • Fully intend to participate for all 6 weeks and complete the course, including your commitments to peers for study support. If you miss a few days it is no problem to catch up on following days or weekends. If you will miss more than a week, it’s possible to catch up in intensive study sessions but perhaps not ideal. You may want to wait until the next offering.
  • Budget an average of 1 hour each weekday during the course for study and singing, plus 2 hours a week for the peer and large group calls.
  • Are willing to share your contact information with the other students. We will ask you to actively participate in these relationships during the class.
  • Have regular, reliable access to a computer or tablet with moderate to high-speed internet.
  • Have a basic technology skills, including: the ability to receive and send email attachments, navigate websites with video and audio files and download and install free Zoom web conferencing software on your PC or Mac.
  • Have some experience singing in a group in the last year. You need not identify as a confident singer. This course is for anyone willing to develop more skills and confidence.

If you you’re still not sure it’s a fit, email specific questions to Lisa – lisa@thebirdsings.com. Your course fee is refundable until the course begins.
OPTIONAL, IN-PERSON RETREATIn-person retreats (at additional expense) are typically offered during each cohort, however due to COVID-19, these are currently suspended.
PRICINGWe are offering special price to support your goals during this time of social distancing.Self-Directed Access $349 now $199Self-directed access purchasers will receive access to the static course content within 3 days of purchase. PLEASE NOTE: the self-directed option does NOT include any live calls, support from Lisa or other students, access to Facebook group or ongoing community webinars, nor does it include invitations to participate in the in-person retreats.“Flight School was exquisite, divine, and nourishing! Lisa designed the lessons and prompts with thoughtful care, insightful reflection, and valuable tools. I feel woven into a web of song leaders who are led by love and dedicated to infusing joy, kindness and compassion into our world.”~ Francesca


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Returning students wishing to participate in a structured and supported cohort again can join in for $99, or $49 without a one-on-one with Lisa.

If you would like to arrange a payment plan, please contact Lisa at lisa@thebirdsings.com.

As a part of the mission to spread community singing far and wide, partial scholarships are available those who are offering or planning to offer community singing primarily in marginalized or under-represented populations. To apply for a partial scholarship, send a 3-5 minute video to Lisa sharing more about your background and your intentions to share community singing with marginalized populations. Scholarship recipients receive 50% off tuition.

Your purchase is fully refundable until you receive access to the course, after which no refunds are given for any reason.

GRADS ARE SAYING

Flight School is an amazing tool for anyone wanting to explore the powerful gift of song leading and song sharing. Lisa is a natural leader whose wisdom is communicated with grace and lightheartedness— a big feat in a subject matter that can be very emotional and fraught with vulnerability for many. I'm excited to go out into my community and the world and put my new skills into use!
~ Britta
It really was outstanding leadership training. I greatly admire how you use positive motivation, yet stay highly effective at accomplishing the mission. I have been in many leadership positions and still learned a lot. And the experience makes the whole music experience richer and deeper, from voice to harmony to community. I learned that sometimes I don’t need anything else to make the music work. So many thanks!! ~ Eric
The course is a wealth of tools and information that is new to me, even after more than 15 years of singing circles. It empowered me to spontaneously lead songs with strangers in unexpected settings (camping and in a restaurant, and with coworkers), and I have heard myself saying that I am a song leader. Many thanks to Lisa's exceptional song leading skills and generosity.
~ Susie
It was so much more than I had anticipated. The deliciously rich content feeds my song and I will be digesting it for a long time to come. The quality of Lisa's presentation was mesmerizing... seducing us into deep receptivity.
~ Johnny
This course was a very special journey in so many ways. I especially appreciated the ways Lisa made the course material relevant for such diverse abilities and experience, which opened up a freedom to push some edges, and leave some be. The group calls were beautifully facilitated, and well integrated with the course offerings. I loved the connections with folks that happened through those calls. Since I don’t Facebook, the class calls turned out to be the best connector for me. The peer group helped deepen that, and I look forward to staying in touch with so many inspiring folks. Excited about the retreat, which will continue to build this community. The rich resources are a treasure, a precious library to which I will return. Lisa's gifts are many, beyond being an angel-songbird: teaching, modeling, facilitating, coaching, creating & holding community. ~ Ellie
This is beyond a rare opportunity. This is life, joy, song, cultivation of community, offered by one who continually marinates herself in spiritual life and practice. This is for song leaders, singers, and all who wish to let life move through themselves more fully and joyfully.
~ Bonnie
The Littlebird SongLeaders Flight Academy is packed with information in an easy-to-digest format. Lisa's upbeat attitude and support inspired me to practice and know that I can become a song leader and make a positive difference in the world while also having a great time!
~ Jolene
As a total newbie to song leading, I appreciated the wealth of information Lisa has shared. This information will continue to help me for quite some time. Lisa's supportive, positive and kind spirit shines in all she does.
~ Angel
Flight School lifted me high to see and sense the bird's eye view of song medicine as a growing movement, of which i am part! Our course gave me tools for practice, connections to explore within, and confidence to cut the doubt and start risking more deliciously. I come back to this learning and treasure-trove library often to refresh my expanding practice, and i'm deeply grateful to feel kinship and support in the unfolding. Lisa leads all this with shining clarity and grace ~ her offerings have been a powerful spark for my song-leading vision. ~ Lyndsey
I can't recommend the course enough! Lisa is a warm, inspiring teacher and a multi-media pro who knows how to mix mediums for optimal learning and class cohesion. Whether you're looking to grow your vocal, song writing, community building, business development, or song circle leadership skills, this course provides a rich community of support and a full toolbox to help you build a reality from the blueprints in your heart.
~ Amber

FAQs

Can I take the course if I will be traveling and unavailable some of that time?

The course is designed to be self-paced to work with your individual needs.  Missing a day or two… even a week is not a problem for most students as you can either skip that week’s material and come back to it or catch up when you return. You will miss some opportunities for connecting with other student and peer groups during time away but can jump back in when you return.  If you know will miss more than a week you may want to wait until a future cohort. Whether you stay caught up with the daily assignments or not, know that you will have lifetime access to the course material after the course is complete and can come back to any of it later.

I offer or want to offer songleading primarily for children. Is this course a good fit for me?

This course is primarily focused on the skills and repertoire appropriate for songleading with teens and adults, although there will be many areas that cross over and are relevant to working with younger children as well. In this course we will touch briefly upon working with kids and diverse age groups but we will not give it deep focus. It may be best to email your specific questions and intentions to Lisa – lisa@thebirdsings.com – to help determine if this course will be useful for you.