5 star rating

Connection, Compassion, Collaboration

Jessi LaCosta

Wonderful way to connect with others - inspire and reconnect with a purposeful path - I long to walk again. Saro is talented and giving - could feel her passion deep into my being.

Wonderful way to connect with others - inspire and reconnect with a purposeful path - I long to walk again. Saro is talented and giving - could feel her passion deep into my being.

Read Less
5 star rating

Life-giving & Heart-filling

Jay Coldwell

Saro brings timely and deeply rooted songs for our times. She teaches so well, it makes learning the song so easy. We can take these songs to support our local efforts. Thank you!

Saro brings timely and deeply rooted songs for our times. She teaches so well, it makes learning the song so easy. We can take these songs to support our local efforts. Thank you!

Read Less
5 star rating

This was a gift

Nadia Tarnawsky

Saro brought beautiful, thoughtful songs to this song circle and for me personally, they were a balm to my soul and offered much peace and grace.

Saro brought beautiful, thoughtful songs to this song circle and for me personally, they were a balm to my soul and offered much peace and grace.

Read Less
5 star rating

just so comforting

Stellar Village Team

This helped me so much with the hopelessness I was feeling for the current world situation. Just to feel connected with other people present and past who fought for survival against seemingly impossible odds.

This helped me so much with the hopelessness I was feeling for the current world situation. Just to feel connected with other people present and past who fought for survival against seemingly impossible odds.

Read Less

Sing with Saro!

Theme: In this song circle recording, song leader Saro Lynch-Thomason shares traditional and new songs about social change, environmental justice, labor history and more.

As we learn these easy-to-carry songs, Saro unpacks important moments in the people's history- from movements to unionize Southern textile mills, to anti-apartheid struggles, to modern day visions for climate justice. You'll walk away with songs you can use at gatherings, rallies, song circles and more.

  • Fight for justice without losing love. Dive into the power of song to heal division and create harmony.

  • Learn the history of some of the songs that sparked movements.

  • Empower your emotions for connective, collective action!

  • If you would like access to this and all other content on Stellar Village, sign up for our membership! For a low monthly price, you can get access to all live events and recordings of all past offerings! Learn more here.

FAQ

  • Is this a live event?

    This is a recording of a live zoom event that happened in the past! [View our upcoming live events]

  • What happens in Stellar Village song circles?

    In our community song circles we sing "teaching songs", which are songs full of wisdom that are meant to be easily shared and learned. We do our song circles in Zoom and usually sing a capella (without instruments or with light instrumentation in service of the song). The songleader introduces each song and then teaches it at the pace we need, with built in pauses for you to be able to repeat the song. In Zoom, the attendee mics are mostly off, so you'll be able to sing along with the songleader wherever you are.

  • How long is the session?

    The recording of this song circle is 1 hour and 28 minutes.

    Our virtual song circles are usually about 1 hour long, with a bonus chance for some connection with each other at the end in break-out groups in guided discussion (about 20 minutes). Breakout rooms are not recorded, for privacy, bringing to your home or community.

  • Can my friends join me or do we all need to sign up?

    You don't have to sing alone if you have friends to meet up with in person. Create your own song circle by inviting your friends to sing along with you. After all, singing is always more fun with friends!

    If you are in different places, you'll each need your own account, unless one of you has a Family Pass.

  • What if I don't think of myself as a singer?

    Singers of all levels welcome! If you don't sing professionally or believe you don't sing "well" we especially invite your curiosity! All voices are good voices.

  • What do you have for accessibility?

    Virtual song circles are an accessible option already, great for parents of young children, folks with limited mobility.

    The content player for this recording includes an automated session transcript and English captions. You also get a document with the words to the songs.

  • How do I access the material?

    If you are a Stellar Village member or you've purchased this offering directly, you just need to be logged in and then click on "Start" or "Resume" at the top of the page.

    Or here's a direct link to the content player.

    If you haven't purchased yet, just scroll down.

  • Is there a recording and other materials?

    Yes! This course includes the recording of the live session, interactive Q&A with Saro, and optional discussion at the end, hosted by Sheniqua Trotman, plus supporting materials like transcript and the words of the songs.

Sing With Us!

Saro Lynch-Thomason

Song Leader, Folklorist, Illustrator

Saro Lynch-Thomason is an award-winning singer, song leader, folklorist, documentarian, and illustrator from Asheville, North Carolina. She has studied and taught traditional song and balladry from Appalachia, the American South, the British Isles and Ireland for over a decade.

Saro believes that old songs can help us understand the beliefs and struggles that shape human history, and that in turn, these songs enable us to build a more compassionate and just future. She uses teaching, documentary, illustration and more to explore the amazing people and history behind songs ranging from Appalachian lullabies to American labor anthems, Southern work songs and Scottish ballads.

Her projects include the Songs that Speak YouTube series, the CD and multimedia project Blair Mountain: A Musical Exploration of America’s Largest Labor Uprising, and several albums. Saro’s song “There Are More Waters Rising” has gained international attention, becoming an anthem in the movement to end global warming and garnering praise in the Huffington Post. Saro holds an M.A. in Appalachian Studies from East Tennessee State University and a Certificate in Documentary Studies from Duke University.

Sheniqua Trotman

Vocal Empowerment Coach, Butterfly Council member

Sheniqua is an activist, singer-songwriter, community leader, mother, and vocal empowerment coach based in Brooklyn, New York. She's also the host of online community singing with songleaders at Stellar Village.

Sheniqua’s sessions go beyond simply singing together; she creates a holistic journey of self-discovery and connection. Through intentional breath work, gentle stretching, and guided meditation, she helps participants release tension, center their minds, and open themselves up to the full potential of their voices.

Sheniqua creates sessions that culminate in the joyous expression of collective harmony, where seasoned vocalists and complete beginners alike come together in a non-judgmental space to share their voices and connect with others.

Whether you're seeking vocal empowerment, community connection, or simply the joy of singing, Sheniqua welcomes you to join the transformative experience at ElevatedExpression.net.

Click to Play

Sara teaching about the song "Which Side Are You On?"

Do you love to sing? (or want to)?

Do you believe in changing the world for the better? If you care about systemic oppression and believe in the power of love, this Song Circle is for you. Let's come together, sing, and make a difference.

Option 1: Direct purchase of this event

This event is open to the public, and it's also included with Stellar Village membership (options below).

  • $19.00

    $19.00Singing for a Change: Virtual Song Circle with Saro Lynch-Thomason.

    Full Price. One-time payment to add this live online community song event and recording to your library of courses. Your access will not expire.
    Buy Now
  • $14.00

    $14.00Singing for a Change: Virtual Song Circle with Saro Lynch-Thomason.

    Sliding scale - discounted. One-time payment to add this live online community song event and recording to your library of courses. Your access will not expire.
    Buy Now

Option 2: Get this session with a Stellar Village Membership

Members get access to all online content, and the membership is the same no matter which payment plan you pick on the sliding scale. [Learn More]

  • $29.99 / month

    $29.99 / monthStellar Village Membership

    Family Pass! This is a great way to sing your long-distance friends, or have them visit other Village events, including grief and learning events. Full membership for you, plus you can share Zoom links for live sessions with up to 4 other people. Payment renews monthly and renewal can be cancelled at any time.

    Join the Village!
  • $19.99 / month

    $19.99 / monthStellar Village Membership

    Become a part of the village and get ALL of our online offerings: song circles, classes, grief circles, and collaboration opportunities!
    This is fair energy exchange for the valuable service of creating online community for you. If this option is not a hardship (meaning you would have trouble providing your basic needs), please select this option.

    Payment renews monthly and renewal can be cancelled at any time.

    Please view the membership page for more options and a sliding scale.
    Join Stellar Village
  • $14.99 / month

    $14.99 / monthStellar Village Membership

    This is a sliding scale option for membership, in case the full contribution is a hardship for meeting your basic needs.

    Payment renews monthly and renewal can be cancelled at any time.
    Join Stellar Village
  • $9.99 / month

    $9.99 / monthStellar Village Membership

    This accessible choice is an option if the other monthly amounts would pose a hardship for meeting your basic needs.

    Payment renews monthly and can be cancelled at any time.
    Join Stellar Village
  • $10.00

    $10.00Stellar Village Membership

    PGM/BIPOC ONLY. One-time fee for lifetime access! For our kin who identify as People of the Global Majority (PGM), also known as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), we offer lifetime Village membership for a low price.

    Your energy exchange contributes to the village and your sense of belonging, so we do ask for a small fee. You are also welcome to use any of the other payment options.

    That said, if you are PGM/BIPOC and would like a totally FREE membership, we invite you to click here!
    Join Stellar Village

If you choose to purchase a Stellar Village Membership your subscription will go for a month from the start date and then renew automatically each month after that. You can easily cancel renewal at any time and your access to the content will just expire on your renewal date.

Already a Member? You're already enrolled in this event, at no extra charge. Just log in and refresh this page, and you'll see a Start Learning or Resume Learning button on the top.

Scholarships. We also have 6-month need-based scholarships. Use the contact form below for scholarship information.