Women Rise CHOIR (In Person Only)
About this Event
This fall, you're invited to join the Women Rise Choir! This is a special community choir for the women of Santa Cruz and beyond who wish to experience a sense of belonging and empowerment through singing!
Lifting our voices together summons our courage, sparks our joy, fortifies our spirits, and amplifies our prayers. This collective expression of wisdom, resilience and hope uplifts the voice of the feminine and inspires the world we wish to create.
Sing SEVEN songs with Heather, Melanie DeMore & the Latis
Over a series of rehearsals, we'll learn seven inspiring songs and prepare to perform them with the beloved at the beautiful Rio Theatre on November 21st. We'll also sing the short & sweet song circle songs for fun and Heather will weave in lot's of vocal coaching.
If for any reason you don't wish to sing on the stage at the RIO, you are still welcome to join us for the series. Come SING!
As part of this unique experience, participants will have the opportunity to learn and perform a few songs led by acclaimed guest artist and director Melanie DeMore, whose music and leadership have inspired communities around the world. You'll have the opportunity to sing two if Melanie's songs from her latest album recorded with Vocalessence Choir. Listen Here.
Dates & Times
TEN Thursday evenings and ONE Tuesday evening
September 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, November 5, 12 & 19
Nov. 19th with Melanie DeMore
7:15 pm - 8:45 pm
TECH Rehearsal at RIO Theatre - Tuesday, November 17, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Concert at the Rio - November 21st: 4pm call time, 7pm show
The tech rehearsal at the Rio theatre, and the rehearsal with Melanie DeMore on November 19th are required. You can miss no more than THREE of our Thursday evening gatherings at the Yoga Center. If extenuating circumstances arise, please email Heather.
The Repertoire
The songs Heather is chooisng for this choir will feel heart-opening, empowering, and uplifting! The harmonies will be lush, but simple enough for all levels of experience. The lyrics will be simple, meaningful and prayerful.
How we learn the songs
We will learn everything by ear. No sheet music reading required. Heather will teach parts in class and provide practice tracks for the individual parts. Lyric sheets included.
Why Women?
In a world that has too often asked women to be quieter, smaller, or more agreeable, Women Rise Choir is a place to fully express your voice. Heather's intention is to create a joyful, supportive space where women can show up as their juicy, radiant, wise, creative, sassy, powerful, tender, and authentic selves. Free from judgment and comparison, we'll raise our voices together, celebrate one another, and remember the strength that emerges when women rise in song.
Who's Welcome
All ages and levels of experience are welcome. No auditions required.
Open to women, non-binary people, all who sing in the treble range and feel at home in a women-centered singing community.
Special Intergenerational Invitation
To help nurture the next generation of women finding their voices, we are offering a special Mom & Daughter Two-for-One Registration for participants ages 12 and up.
Whether you're a mother, daughter, aunt, grandmother, mentor, or chosen family, we invite you to share this experience together. Come create lasting memories, sing side by side, and experience the power of women's voices rising in harmony across generations.
Please Note: When you register with your daughter or mom, you will need to choose the "add-on" ticket in addition to the ticketing option you choose. It's free, just there so that we can manage the number of people registering.
Vocal Coaching
Throughout the Women Rise Choir rehearsals, Heather Houston offers supportive vocal coaching to help each singer feel more confident, expressive, and at ease with her voice, regardless of prior singing experience. Drawing on more than 10,000 hours of private vocal instruction and over two decades of leading community singing groups, Heather creates a nurturing environment where every voice can connect, grow and shine.
You'll experience:
- The joy of singing in rich harmony
- A supportive and welcoming community of women
- Expert vocal guidance from Heather Houston
- The opportunity to perform on the Rio Theatre stage
- A special musical collaboration with Melanie DeMore
- Music that uplifts, empowers, and brings people together
Performance Date: November 21
Location: Rio Theatre, Santa Cruz
Join: Yala Lati
Director: Heather Houston
Special Guest Artist: Melanie DeMore
Tithe
10% of the net profit from our concert benefits Walnut Avenue Women's shelter
Come sing and raise up the voices of women in our community!
Still not sure?
If your unclear as to whether or not this choir is the right fit for you, please feel free to attend the first rehearsal for free. If you feel inspired to join us, you can register after class.
Cost:
In Full: $297 for 11 rehearsals, songs playlist, rehearsal tracks playlist, vocal warm-ups playlist, and lyric sheet.
Payment Plan: Registration Fee: $100 + two more payments of $100 on October 1st & November 5th.
Work Trade Opportunities: ($27 Registration Fee)
- Check people in at the door and take payments for women on the payment plan - x2
- Chair set up and breakdown x2
- Bring fresh flowers and set up simple altar of sacredness and beauty each week
- Sound system set up and breakdown x2 - includes unloading and loading from Heather's car.
- Manage Zoom
***Work Trade Folks - If you are unable to be at rehearsal one night, then you'll need to find someone to cover for you. Please plan ahead. If you are sick or have an emergency, please text Heather so that she can find someone to cover for you. When you register, there will be a work trade ticket option, and a place to indicate which work trade opportunity you are interested in. Heather will then reach out to you with instructions via email.
Heather Houston is a singer, songwriter, vocal coach, and community song leader with over 20 years of experience helping people discover the joy and power of their voices. With more than 10,000 hours of private vocal coaching and a passion for building connection through song, she creates welcoming spaces where singers of all experience levels can grow in confidence, expression, and harmony.
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 0.00 to USD 318.69
