Intro to Harmony Singing: A Class for Queer & Trans Folks & Allies

Intro to Harmony Singing
A 9-Week Class for LGBTQIA+ People and Allies
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
April 7th - June 2nd, 2025
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Sacramento Friends Meeting House
890 57th St (@ Elvas Ave), Sacramento, CA
This is a fun community class for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, intersex, and/or asexual people and our allies who want to learn how to sing harmony by ear.
We will explore rounds and other big group songs, singing in harmony on assigned parts in small groups, and coming up with your own two-part harmony for a duet. You will learn how to hear and sing major triad chords, and build a basic understanding of how chords form the basis of harmony singing. Participants are asked to meet with their duet partner to practice their song at least twice outside of class over the course of the eight weeks.
This class is designed for people who are generally able to carry a tune, aka stay in key when singing solo. Beginners are welcome -- all learning will be done by ear, so you do not need to have any musical training or know how to read music. If you have any questions about whether this class is right for you, please contact Eli.
The class will culminate with a celebratory performance on June 2nd. Glitter will be optional but highly encouraged!
What Past Participants Have To Say
"I highly encourage anyone who has ever felt in awe of a choir in harmony or an intimate duet to take this class and feel the joy of making that aural alchemy yourself. Singing has brought me so much joy."
"After having spent many many years feeling uncertain about how to harmonize, this course helped to demystify harmonizing for me. Eli pushes us just a little out of our comfort zones, enough to build our self-confidence over time. I highly recommend it!"
"Eli is a fantastic, patient, and kind teacher, and the class was such a joy to be in. I learned a lot too! I felt supported and encouraged the whole time."

About the Teacher
Eli Conley is a singer-songwriter, teaching artist, and activist based in Sacramento, California. He is a certified teacher of Somatic Voicework - The LoVetri Method™ who continues to study to deepen his approach to contemporary vocal pedagogy. He performs and tours as a folk/country artist, and is a former member of the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus. In addition to group classes and workshops, Eli also offers private voice lessons and songwriting coaching for people of all identities, ages 13 and up.

COVID Care
Singing is unfortunately a high risk activity for virus transmission. We will meet in a large open room and always have an air purifier running. Out of love for our immunocompromised and disabled community members, this class will also require N95 or KN95 masks, and proof of updated COVID vaccination. Lightweight duckbill-style N95s that are more comfortable for singing will be provided, or you can wear your own mask. You're welcome to reach out with questions.
Accessibility
All of the exercises in this class are designed to work for people with a broad range of abilities and body types, and disabled and neurodivergent folks are very welcome! Most of our time will be spent sitting in sturdy chairs without arms. Participants will stand occasionally, but remaining seated is always an option. The Sacramento Friends Meeting House is a wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible space with no steps and a parking lot right outside. We are the only people in the building during class, and there is a dark, quiet room if you need to take a break. There are two single stall ADA accessible all gender restrooms in the building. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
Cost
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register, to hold your spot
- 50% on the first day of class
Participants can also request a payment plan to split the second half of their fee into more installments.
At Cost: $376 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage.
Higher Rate: $476 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $276(4 spots)
Two pay-what-you-can spots are available in this class. If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a significant hardship, this option is for you.
Pay What You Can: $110 - $250 (2 spots)
Two pay-what-you-can spots are available in this class. If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a significant hardship, this option is for you.
​I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of and Hadassah Damien of for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
More Info
See all Eli's upcoming offerings for queer and trans folks and allies
Questions? [email protected]

Host or Publisher Eli Conley