Sing It Girls Hamilton

06/01/2021

Our younger programs are sold out, but there are a couple of spots left in the 11-14 group starting next Wednesday! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-ages-11-14-tickets-131761394879

24/12/2020

The holidays feel a little different this year. Celebrations are muted, and many of us are feeling lonely or burned out.

Perhaps instead of goal planning and New Year's resolutions we can reflect on what we've learned in 2020, and celebrate small victories.

Wishing everyone a warm and safe end to the year. ✨

23/12/2020

Opinion | A Hamilton mother and son share a different kind of love song

Beautiful 🎶🎄✨ Sara is a certified music therapist in Hamilton, and was one of Avalon's internship supervisors! 💛

When Sara Klinck and her disabled six-year-old son Andrew sing Christmas carols together, it is deep and tender and wonderful, writes Scott Radley.

15/12/2020

29 Powerhouses: The Canadian Game-Changers Who Got Us Through 2020

Love seeing all the women of colour on this list! 💪🏾

These BIPOC groundbreakers have made their industries more inclusive, leapt into politics to push for change, and got us to laugh when we thought we couldn’t.

14/12/2020

How To Help Your Kids Reframe Their Anxiety — And Reclaim Their Superpowers : Life Kit

On the importance of how we frame our children's anxiety and other challenging emotions 💛

Winter 2021 programs are filling up! Message us to save a spot or learn more at symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls

Kids have anxiety — but it's not always a bad thing. Renee Jain and Dr. Shefali Tsabary have some ideas about how to help children use those feelings to their advantage.

10/12/2020

Another session wrapped up last night over Zoom! Thankful for the music and vulnerability these girls shared 💛

I love their song rewrite about finding comfort in singing, connection, and pet friends! 🐾

Our next sessions start January 13th for ages 7-10 and 11-14. You can save a spot through our Facebook event or at www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls

07/12/2020

Sing It Girls Hamilton's cover photo

07/12/2020

Winter 2021 registration is open! Join us online for 6 sessions starting January 13th as we share music, laugh, and find new ways to express ourselves.

Ages 7-10, 6pm
Ages 11-14, 7pm

Register at www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls

30/11/2020

Love this. Tiny language shifts can entirely change the way our words are received!

#wordsmatter
Ask probing questions (not yes/no questions) #mentalwellness #ymhc
Don't use shaming language

26/11/2020

This infographic has been making its rounds, and it's a great way to check in with yourself as the pandemic continues to affect our daily lives.

Just because we are getting used to it and finding ways to adapt does not mean this is "normal." For me, every task takes just a little more effort, and my emotions are just a little closer to the surface.

Wherever you are, please know that we are here if you need support. The pandemic has highlighted the need for rest and community care more than anything else. How are you doing? Sending love! 💛

#community #rest #lockdown #selfcompassion #selfcare #mentalhealth #musictherapy #wellness #hamilton #waterdown #burlington

17/11/2020

Michelle Chubb’s Viral TikToks Celebrate Indigenous Beauty, Culture

This year I've been refocusing my bookshelves, social media, and education to include more Indigenous voices. They sure have a lot to teach about respecting the water and land 🌎💛🌊

Her videos blend Indigenous regalia, relatable jokes, and social justice activism.

11/11/2020

Is the Way You Breathe Making You Anxious?

The way we breathe has a huge impact on our mental state! Sing it Girls participants know how important is it to breathe with our diaphragms. Take a few moments to notice your breath today! 🌬

Breathing sets off a cascade of physical changes in the body that promote either stress or relaxation.

24/10/2020

YES!! 💕

Untamed parenting is teaching (more importantly: modeling) that feeling deeply and expressing those feelings honestly IS brave. Letting your heart be seen IS brave.

If you are sad or angry -- that’s because you’re paying attention.

Sensitivity is a superpower. The opposite of sensitive is not brave! The opposite of sensitive is insensitive. No Medal of Honor.

KNOW THIS and make sure your kids know this.
Make sure your boys know. The world is taming them -- insisting they hide their humanity -- and it’s hurting them and all of us.

Brave and Soft.
Fire and Water.
Strong and Weak.
Loud and silent.
We can be everything. We ARE everything. Don’t tame kids into cages of femininity or masculinity- let them be human and whole and free.
Love,
G
Thank you, Parenting Works for this artful addition to Gina & Mercer Mayer’s children’s book “Just Lost”

22/10/2020

Did you know that we offer private voice lessons and music therapy through Symmetry Music?

One of the best parts of teaching is finding new songs that help students feel empowered. This awesome online student has requested a number of beautiful songs that are perfect for Sing it Girls! 🤩

To learn more about private lessons and therapy, send us a message or visit www.symmetrymusic.com 🎶

16/10/2020

Music therapists have the unique ability to support connection and growth in clients without needing words and explanations. We are excited to connect with our next group of girls starting November 4th. Only 2 spots left!
https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-tickets-121008869787

13/10/2020

Sing It Girls Hamilton's cover photo

08/10/2020

Our fall program will now be starting on November 4th! Don't forget to register - we only have 3 spots left!! ✨

03/10/2020

Sing It Girls Hamilton

How does Sing it Girls work online?! Avalon explains how a typical session unfolds over Zoom. Our fall session starts on October 7th! https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-tickets-121008869787

Wondering how Sing it Girls works online? Avalon walks us through a typical session. We have a new program starting on Thursday! Message us to learn more, or save a spot at www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls 🎶

30/09/2020

Every child matters. Every person matters. Today is Orange Shirt Day, which was created to spread awareness about Canada's residential schools and to honour those who survived them.

Canada's history with Indigenous people is a violent expression of white supremacy, which continues today. Our neighbouring city, Brantford, had a fully operational residential school until 1970.

The effects of intergenerational trauma run deep. The suicide rate among Indigenous youth is 5-7 times higher than the national average. We need to do better, and it starts with difficult conversations about Canada's true history.

Art by @holysmoookes

#orangeshirtday #everychildmatters #indigenouslivesmatter #colonization #healing #truth #reconciliation

29/09/2020

How Music Bonds Us Together

"... research suggests that playing music or singing together may be particularly potent in bringing about social closeness through the release of endorphins."

Not news to us! 🎶🎤👭

According to new research, music helps synchronize our bodies and our brains.

29/09/2020

Have you met Annilee? She will be facilitating our next fall program, starting October 7th!

Annilee is a certified Music Therapist in Hamilton, Ontario. She earned an Honours B.A. with distinction in Psychology, Neuroscience, and Behaviour from McMaster University, and a Graduate Diploma in Music Therapy from Concordia University. Presently, she is a sessional instructor for the course Introduction to Music Therapy Research at McMaster.

Annilee uses a client-centred approach to empower others to reach their full potential and connect more deeply to themselves and others through music. She enjoys being a Sing It Girls™ Facilitator, and loves to see the connections and friendships that are made during this program! In addition to this work, Annilee channels her appreciation for continuing education and lifelong learning through her role as Director of Communications with the Music Therapy Academy.

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-tickets-121008869787

25/09/2020

We love connecting girls with new friends! Our next online session starts on October 7th for ages 7-12. Register through the Facebook event or right here on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-tickets-121008869787 🎶

23/09/2020

What do you think of Billie Eilish as a role model? We love her 🎶 Her lyrics are raw and relatable, and she's outspoken about her struggles with mental health. I especially love the lyrics of "my future" - a song about falling in love with yourself ✨

18/09/2020

Our fall program is here! 🍂 Join us online starting October 7th.

A certified music therapist will guide the girls through:

🎼 Proper vocal warm-ups
🎼 Singing familiar songs
🎼 Relaxation exercises
🎼 Song-writing

Space is limited - message us to save a spot or register here https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/sing-it-girls-hamilton-online-tickets-121008869787

08/09/2020

Kendrick Sampson Reads "Antiracist Baby" | Bookmarks | Netflix Jr

Have you seen this new series? 😍 Great for kids of all ages. Dismantling oppressive systems starts at home!

Learn nine simple steps to becoming antiracist so you can teach others in your life to do the same. Watch Bookmarks: Celebrating Black Voices, only on Netfli...

02/09/2020

Beyond the Talk: Teaching Your Kids About Consent

Do you follow The Gottman Institute? So many resources for parenting and relationships. An important article on teaching consent: https://www.gottman.com/blog/beyond-the-talk-teaching-your-kids-about-consent/

Rather than having “the talk” with your kids, think of teaching consent as an ongoing dialogue.

20/08/2020

Last week we wrapped up two more online programs! We are so grateful to offer community and self-care strategies to young women throughout the pandemic. What a wild time!

Annilee supported her group in writing a song about "togetherness" using the tune of Firework by Katy Perry 🎇

Thank you to this community for supporting us as we adapted to an online world, whether by signing up for the program or following us on social media. Stay tuned for new program announcements! 📢

"Together is a wonderful place to be." ✨

12/08/2020

Parents' anxiety over back-to-school plans could hit students hard, says psychologist | CBC Radio

Children pick up on our feelings and attitudes:

"That anxiety, felt by both parents and teachers concerned about young Canadians' returning to the classroom, could have negative trickle down effects on children."

Professor Kristina Lewellyn says that some young people may have absorbed their parents’ or caregivers’ professional, personal or financial anxiety during the pandemic — and that could mean more anxious kids heading back to school in the fall.

07/08/2020

Finished this little book last week, including 28 days of reflective journaling.

#meandwhitesupremacy by @laylafsaad invites readers to look at all the ways that we benefit from whiteness.

It provides a space to examine unconscious biases and how we've been complicit in the upholding of racist systems. The biggest takeaway for me is that changing these systems starts at the individual level.

I believe this is required reading, especially for white therapists and educators. We are being invited to be part of a movement, and to do better than our ancestors.

#blacklivesmatter #indigenouslivesmatter #antiracism #goodancestor #musictherapist

30/07/2020

A Psychiatrist’s Tips for Calming Your Pandemic Stress

"We need community right now, and the primary way of working on psychological issues should be within groups...People want to understand that what they’re experiencing is a normal response to an abnormal situation and to have tools to help them cope."

Dr. James Gordon weighs in on the mental health challenges we face during the pandemic and what we can do to cope.

28/07/2020

My fear says, Shrink.
You're taking up too much space.

My soul says, Keep expanding.
The world will learn to make space for you.

My fear says, Quieten down.
Your voice is making others uncomfortable.

My soul says, Speak up louder. And more often.
You've been quiet for far too long.

My fear says,
Doubt yourself.
You've always been such a disappointment.

My soul says, Believe in yourself.
You have far more potential inside of you
than you can ever know.

My soul speaks:

I am here.
I am with you.
I've got your back.
I won't ever let you down.

Now speak.
Be seen.
Show up.

Break the cycle
that has kept you
small and quiet.

Defy the voice
that has convinced you
of your unworthiness.

Insist on your existence.
Insist on your magnificence.

- Layla F. Saad, Soul Speak

22/07/2020

Our summer sessions start TOMORROW! 🤩 There are a few spots left in our 7-10 and 11-14 age groups! Message us or visit www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls to register or learn more. Can't wait to sing with you! 🎶🎤🎧

21/07/2020

Sing it Girls Hamilton Online

Wondering how Sing it Girls works online? Avalon walks us through a typical session. We have a new program starting on Thursday! Message us to learn more, or save a spot at www.symmetrymusic.com/singitgirls 🎶

20/07/2020

Perspective | How parents can protect kids’ mental health during the pandemic

Many of these techniques are taught at Sing it Girls! So important to remember that "health" includes mental health! https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/04/16/how-parents-can-protect-kids-mental-health-during-pandemic/

Children worldwide are wrapped up in a grief they can’t begin to understand caused by a collective trauma with no clear end in sight.

17/07/2020

Count on Me - Bruno Mars cover

🎶 "Find out what we're made of when we are called to help our friends in need" 🎶