What a magical evening - you truly had us all wrapped around your finger as you wove a collage of moods with grace and humour. I'll come up again anytime. Please let me know about the cd.- Ellie K., Seattle

Workshop was excellent. Your gentle, inviting style of leading is very helpful. You give the invitation- hold the space - and make selective observations. Excellent teaching. I benefitted greatly from your invitation to move the body. That's very grounding for me and made a huge difference in my ability to be present and centred. - Susan, Toronto

This session helped me to completely forget fears and let the music come out. - Participant, Toronto

Thank you Laurel, It was great to have the safe space to explore, create, observe and experiment. Everything you said about "being" resonates very clearly and you have a wonderful, direct and gracious style! All the best, Namaste, - Participant, Toronto

I just listened to your jazz tracks, and they are stunning. Your voice is so clear and strong and expressive -- you have such control of your instrument. Very inspiring. - Melissa, San Francisco

I think we all came away feeling pretty exhilerated about singing, freer in our voices/bodies/heads. I liked the feeling of safety in the group....that we were there to have fun and learn things and throw ourselves into something new and both safe and risky. I liked that everyone had some time to shine and that there was some time when I felt that each group member was terrific and talented and really making art and being wow! - Participant, Victoria

First of all, i just LOVED that - it was so fun. Secondly, my friends who came loved it too, they were thrilled. And I was thrilled to be involved in something so artistic and meaning-full. Your leading and conducting is wonderful - very inclusive and warm and encouraging. It's hard not to want to follow you so thank you. Also i loved the piece with the looper and Kathryn - amazing.... I think you are very talented and sensitive improviser. I admire your commitment to that form. But I also really love your jazz singing too. I'm looking forward to seeing you again and hopefully doing this again. Hope you get some rest! You deserve it - what a great thing you pulled together for all of us. Thanks again for inviting me! With gratitude, - Participant, Vancouver

Dear Laurel, I also want to tell you again how very, very much I'm loving the Sunday morning Songrise. No kidding, it's a sublime experience. Sometimes I look around the circle and think how radiantly beautiful everyone looks when they're singing. This is a great thing you've created. Love and Gratitude, - Participant, Vancouver

I think the songs you wrote are excellent - very appropriate - they sound so good. I want you to know that I really appreciate the opportunity and experience. - Participant, Vancouver

There are really no "words" to clarify or truly define how thankful I am to you for your support. You have been an anchor for many of us in some way through this week. You have shared yourself and given of yourself with patience and kindness. When you sing I hear your soul, though I don't know you well. Your voice is so beautiful and so embracing. I want to thank you for that. - Participant, Cortes Island

The [Human Loops] evening was amazing to be a part of. I had the pleasure of being able to sit amidst the audience and take a somewhat investigative ear to people's reactions first-hand-- it was almost better than the singing itself. Periodically people would spontaneously gasp, out of nowehere, and then furiously poke the person next to them [whether they knew them or not, in some cases] in an attempt to recreate what they just saw/heard with a 'pssst!! did you see that?? did they really just do that??'

I loved all pieces, the duets turned quartets, the shapeshifts, the looped dance, the semi-conducted and the spontaneous; the final product came to be more an experience than a 'show'. Yours was quite possibly the most open and warmhearted circle I've ever had a chance to work with. Thank you all, truly. I hope I get the chance to do that whole wordspeechsingingvoice thing with you once more:) - Participant, Vancouver

I learned so much... to get rid of the voice in my head telling me I can't do it, or I'm not good enough. I learned how to listen. And to "feel" the part. I learned to push my edge just a little farther. I liked the voicestra part singing, singing our writing pieces (and my partner's!), and exploring different sounds (ie, percussive) with my voice. I look forward to doing it again and hope that I can make it to a songrise soon. I felt very inspired to trust my voice, and explore its ranges. All in all, I hope I can keep this feeling until next time. Singing is healing. Thank you, Laurel. - Participant, Bowen Island

For another beautiful musical/spiritual/community experience, Laurel. It was magical, in every way. I'm soooo greatful for your vision, and for the generosity and genuineness in which you share that vision. It reinforces what we're often told and what I'm coming to know more and more - that this world we live in is abundant and flowing over with love and opportunity. PLEASE involve me, whenever you plan one of these evenings! - Participant, Vancouver

What a beautiful and fun evening. - Carol, Vancouver

Thanks Laurel for your vision, wisdom, time, energy and stunning vocals. I am so full. There were so many moments that you surprised me with your ears, melodic fantasies and vocal flights. I love that! I would really love to learn from you, sing with you. - Participant, Vancouver

Hi Laurel. I know you will not remember me as I came briefly a few years ago to Song Rise. I loved it. I am one of those people who can't sing but loves to. You made it so successful for all of us regardless of ability. I wish you joy, rejuvenation, bliss and spontaneous adventures. Hope you will come back again as it was a good experience for many that you created. Take care. - Joan, Vancouver

...my most profound moments happened when I managed to turn off my mind/ego and just follow my voice. when i allowed my true inner voice, unencumbered by ego motives, to lead the way, it took me to the places i needed to be. in those places i found some feelings that needed to be expressed...you brought out the courage in us. you reminded us to sidestep our minds/egos. - D.G., Toronto

Having never really sung in public before, the experience was incredible! I was utterly euphoric by the time I got home. - Linda, Vancouver

Know that your music and teaching made a big impact in my life and I saw it in others as well... - Beth, Vancouver

I participated in one of your song circles, and was completely impressed with your warmth and positive spirit. The voice is such a powerful tool, and you have helped so many of us unleash its inspiring magic through song. Thank you again for sharing your talents to bring people together. I hope that I will once again be able to take part in your song circles some day soon. Keep shining! Peace, Participant, Vancouver

Wow! Your performance moved me, it made me cry and most of all it made me smile. - David G., Vancouver

I think we all came away feeling pretty exhilerated about singing, freer in our voices/bodies/heads. I liked the feeling of safety in the group....that we were there to have fun and learn things and throw ourselves into something new and both safe and risky. I liked that everyone had some time to shine and that there was some time when I felt that each group member was terrific and talented and really making art and being wow! - Participant, Victoria

Just wanted to let you know what a pleasure it was last night to participate in the Tree of Life and Lantern Garden with you and others. The experience added calm and deep richness to the evening-- for which I thank you. - Brenda, Vancouver

Laurel, dear, dear, dear, dear, Si le ciel existe apres la vie tu devrais aller au paradis car je crois que les anges aiment chanter. Laurel, tu apportes le bonheur. Tu est passionnee et ca se voit.La session d'hier etait a mon avis la meilleure et la plus belle. Ce que j'aime dans tes classes, c'est qu'on ne sait jamais a quoi s'attendre et qu'on va de surprise en surprise. J'adore ca et je crois que toi aussi.

First, as I already told you, you are a very good animator, you are able to transmit your dynamism and enthusiasm to a whole group, which is not easy. Today, at the end I almost feel like we were giving a show on Broadway. It's very amazing what can come out at each course. It makes me forget everything and bring me in a state of joy each time. I think it's better than any therapy. - Lise, Vancouver

I have been meaning to contact you for that long to tell you how much I enjoyed the New Year's concert at St. Andrews. It was one of the best things I've ever done at New Years, ..... I've been around for a while so have had quite as few of them Good, Bad and Awful, but none as wonderful as that. My husband and a friend came along and we were mesmerized.... I couldn't even drag myself away long enough to get a cup of coffee. I have in fact attended two of your singing circles, (I have two friends who attend), but because I live out here in the sticks in Crescent Beach its just too far to attend on a regular basis. I also don't feel at all confident about singing.... I did come in to the Solstice celebration and want to thank you for that too.... it was so good... I did sing a bit with your group then and once I managed to relax a bit actually enjoyed myself. Anyway, I thought you might like a bit of input from a non-singer who would like to sing, but I'm really writing to say a long overdue but heartfelt THANK YOU. - Participant, Vancouver

I liked the gentle pace and gradual build-up of complexity and "riskiness". The build-up of trust and affirmation in the group. The atmosphere of fun. It was a lovely gentle weekend. Thanks, Laurel. Do keep me posted of any workshops in the future. - Jen, Victoria

I learned hat I could improv and free-form harmonize - I had always sung from a book. That singing can be play - it was always about perfection in my previous life. Technically, I learned that I hold my breath rather than letting it go when I sing. This was a major eye opener for me. I re-membered how much I loved to sing. I really loved the 'three face fronts'. Personally, I loved it when, by Sunday morning, my excitement for the doing became greater than my fear of doing. This is why it will be great if the workshop increases by one day. - Participant, Nanaimo

That night under the tree of lights was mesmerizing and transporting. It was a magical 'community' moment... John, Vancouver

Thank you, all, for taking Laurel's lovely vision and indulging fully in it. We created something really beautiful on Saturday night. A colleague of mine lives a few doors away from where we performed. She had company on Saturday, and wasn't able to make the performance. However, she said it was lovely to hear applause wafting periodically through the neighborhood, and she wondered just what it was she was missing. I'm really happy about how things turned out - initially, I was more than a little freaked out (improv in front of an audience...first time for me...and others, of course). On the other side of the experience, what I feel is deep gratitude and an eagerness to do it again. - Pariticipant, Vancouver

The experience was soul opening and I am thankful for it. My yoga, my meditation, my writing and even my painting benefited because of this weekend. - Donna, Vancouver

Laurel, the thing is, [the workshop] was just wonderful! I still have music dancing in my brain. For me, this was just one of those blessed constellations that worked on every level. Thanks so much for making this part of your work. Harmoniously yours, Pat, Vancouver

That was a fabulous workshop Laurel (though it's clear to me that I have little skill in that area but it was fun trying!) - and thanks for being so attentive to my out-of-town friend the next day at Songrise. She was blown away (of course). Thanks for all your wonderful work. - Jill, Vancouver

SongRise 99 it was a great evening, and a good thing to do. I liked writing out my wishes and my "letting go" list and burning it in the chapel. ..The best part was Rhiannon and the Digeridoos (sp?). That was spectacular. We had a lot of fun and were really glad to be there! - Chris, Vancouver

Laurel, thanks again for such a great experience this weekend. Ellen and I have been singing since we left and both of us are very inspired by the music and the community you've created in Vancouver. I just wanted to again extend my gratitude and admiration for who you are and what you do. See you soon! - Jennifer, Portland

I thought you were very supportive of people's work and I thought the work was pretty cool. I liked the way you worked with the group energy, moving through it and along with it and open to it. Anyway, I found you subtle, gentle, supportive, clear with instructions, humourous, full of interesting musical lines. Had a great time. Loved it. Thanks for coming to Victoria. I hope you'll come again sometime. - Louise, Victoria

Laurel - I say this with all sincerity and appreciation for what you offer - you are truly gifted - both vocally and in your teaching style. It is very easy to receive instruction from you you express yourself clearly and are quite creative with your ideas. Further, if one method doesn't work, you'll get busy with another approach. And what a great gift you left me with. I may be one of the few people in the world that has experienced this aspect of the depth of music in your beingness. I truly hope I'm able to reach that level within myself again. It's been there before; it just needs to be unmasked. You are living out your passion as a musician and you reminded me of what it is like to have that kind of connection with what you do. Thank you. - Participant, Esalen Institute

Your vocalese is terrific, You sing right in the pocket and your materials is what I listen to day and night. I am very impressed. Could have used you as one of our session singers back in the heyday of commercials. - David, Los Angeles

I recently attended two of Laurel's Solstice SongRise classes this December and her ability to establish a safe and welcoming circle of song made a big impression on me.

As an educator and touring performance aritist, I have attended many professional development courses and drop-in sessions, and very rarely do I encounter a facilitator with Laurel's wonderful talents. I have wanted to sing my whole life, and at 30 finally decided to take the chance - and I was ever petrified.

Immediately, Laurel made me feel accepted and safe. The environment was positive and open, and somehow I felt any sound I made, even if it might be a "practice" sound or off key, was welcome. Laurel values her students as creative individuals and it shows that she derives genuine joy in providing students the opportunity to be expressive. This makes her workshop so fun she actually has to ask her students to leave (after 2 hours of singing) so staff can lock up!

To my utter delight and surprise, during my very first circle singing experience I felt confident to enter the middle of the group and sing my own, improvised melody. My decision to take this chance had everything to do with Laurel's talent as a facilitator, her fine teaching philosophy and nonjudgemental, inclusive eye on life.

Experiencing that my voice is accepted, even in a small way in a small singing circle has had the most positive impact on me. After Laurel's class I feel confident, strong and very centered. Using my body as an instrument while in a singing circle not only connects me to myself, but to the other singers. As we use our voices together I gain a sense of community and a bond is formed - we are making music together! Laurel's singing classes are safe, rewarding, fun, exciting, welcoming, warm, relaxing - one of the best antidotes to feeling blue I've found so far! - Sincerely, Amie Wolf, B.Ed.