Songwriting to Meet the Moment

Come Join Us!

Songwriting to Meet the Moment is four days of juicy exploration and deep connection as we learn and play with the art of song-catching.  This residential retreat facilitated by Sarina Partridge, Karla Mundy, and Erinn Doncaster, gives students the opportunity to practice writing songs and “songlets” that speak to the times and to the things that matter most to us. We’ll work as a group to explore the blocks that hold us back from singing out (literally and metaphorically), and acquire concrete, nervous system based tools to honour and move through the stuck places, while increasing our capacity for deep presence and pleasure in the process. And - of course! - there will be plenty of joyful group singing to feed our souls as we lean into this deep, powerful, beautiful work together.

TICKET INFORMATION

Join us November 19-22, 2026!

Thursday, November 19, 2026 2:15 PM - Sunday, November 22, 2026 3:00 PM PST

Bethlehem Centre, Nanaimo, BC

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WHO IS SONGWRITING TO MEET THE MOMENT FOR?

• Brand new and experienced songwriters alike! No prior songwriting experience necessary, just a desire and willingness to dive in and try something different.
• From shower singers to professionals! No prior singing experience necessary, just a love of singing.
• Folks who are keen to do some inner exploration, develop more self-awareness, and practice new nervous system skills to both honour and move through the things that feel sticky about songwriting. This workshop is not therapy, but it will be therapeutic!
• Folks who want to explore writing songs “of the moment” - perhaps songs that belong or speak to a particular season, experience, political context, or emotion - whatever inspires you!
• Folks who are willing and able to be kind and supportive group members. It can be vulnerable sharing your writing and your inner process with other people, so it’s important that we all hold our group with care.

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WHO IS SONGWRITING TO MEET THE MOMENT NOT FOR?

• Folks who are attached to a specific songwriting process or practice. This workshop invites you to try on a different approach.
• Folks who are going through an emotional or situational crisis, or others who need individualized or clinical support. In this setting we won’t have the means to give you the one to one or clinical support you deserve.

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VENUE

Bethlehem Centre is a secular (not affiliated with any religion) retreat and conference centre at the foot of Mount Benson on the beautiful shores of Westwood Lake, near Nanaimo, BC. The wooded setting with gardens, pond, and labyrinth provides a peaceful and inspirational ambience in all seasons.

The accommodations have a warm and comfortable “cottage at the lake” spirit, with cozy beds, small writing desks, and dormitory-style bathrooms shared between multiple rooms. In addition to our workshop room with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lake, several cozy lounges are available for use between workshop sessions. The venue offers site-wide wifi, trails around Westwood Lake and up Mount Benson, and for those interested in a cold plunge, there’s a swimming beach 10 minutes away by foot.

All of Bethlehem Centre's buildings are wheelchair accessible. Registered service dogs are welcome with advance notice. Please feel free to email info@findyoursong.co to discuss any accessibility needs you have - we would love to accommodate you!

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Schedule

THURSDAY:

2:15-3:30pm: Check-In to accommodations, receive welcome care packages, settle in

3:30-5:30pm: Meet the group and orientation!

5:30-6:30pm: Dinner

7:30-8:30pm: Session 1:

- Group Singing as regulation practice

- Introduction to the art of song-catching to meet the moment

- Introduction to working with your nervous system to support your songwriting practice

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FRIDAY:

8:00-9:00am: Breakfast

9:30-11:30am: Session 2:

- Group Singing as regulation practice to start the day

- Group Activity - what gets in the way of your songwriting?

- Song Catching - theory and practice

12:00-1:00pm: Lunch

2:00-4:30pm: Session 3:

- Song Catching practice

- Group sharing and processing - what’s coming up so far?

- Group Activity - Working with your nervous system to move through the blocks

5:30-6:30pm: Dinner

7:00-8:30pm: Session 4:

- Songlets from the group - hear what folks have been working on

- Group Singing as regulation practice to end the day

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SATURDAY:

8:00-9:00am: Breakfast

9:30-11:30am: Session 5:

- Group Singing as regulation practice to start the day

- Song Catching practice

12:00-1:00pm: Lunch

2:00-4:30pm: Session 6:

- Group Activity -  Deep dive: The somatics of songwriting to meet the moment

- Song Catching practice

5:30-6:30pm: Dinner

7:00-8:30pm: Session 7:

- Songlets from the group - hear what folks have been working on

- Group Singing as regulation practice to end the day

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SUNDAY:

8:00-9:00am: Breakfast

9:00-9:30am: Packing and accommodations check out

9:45-11:45am: Session 8:

- Group Singing as regulation practice to start the day

- Songlets from the group: hear what folks have been working on

12:00-1:00pm: Lunch

1:00-3:00pm: Session 9:

- Integration and closing activities. What have you learned? How will you carry it forward and apply it in your life?

- Group Singing as regulation practice to close the workshop.

Registration

FEES

Early Bird Rate: June 24-July 22 - $2450 + $150 registration fee (+GST)

General Rate: July 23-August 22 - $2725 + $150 registration fee (+GST)

Optional Add-On: Private Room: $200 (+GST)

You will have the option of adding on a private room purchase after selecting your ticket.

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WHAT’S INCLUDED

• All accommodations (double accommodations are standard; single accommodations are available for an additional $200 surcharge)
• All meals - dinner on Thursday; breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Friday and Saturday; breakfast and lunch on Sunday (dairy intolerance, gluten intolerance, and vegetarian options can be accommodated)
• Snacks, coffee, tea throughout the day
• 9 facilitated group Workshop Sessions between Thursday and Sunday
• 15 minute intake phone call with Erinn

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EXTRAS FOR EARLY BIRDS

• $275 Discount
• FREE Welcome Care Package including special treats, songwriting journal and pen, comfort items
• FREE Find Your Song merch surprise

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PAYMENT OPTIONS

When you purchase your ticket, you will be given the option to pay by credit card or by e-transfer.

If you wish to pay by installments, choose the e-transfer option.

Optional Instalments Schedule:

• Date of Ticket Purchase: $150 registration fee + GST due
• July 22nd: 25% + GST deposit due
• August 22nd: 25% + GST deposit due
• September 22nd: 50% + GST deposit due

Please note that registration fee and deposits are non-refundable.

Meet The Facilitators

SARINA PARTRIDGE

SARINA PARTRIDGE is a musician, song-leader, educator and activist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She feels most alive when learning, creating and sharing songs -- especially songs that grow out of time spent in wild places.

Sarina sings with a wide variety of music projects: community song-leading; harmony-rich original music with folk trio Heartwood; performing and teaching of Eastern European and Yiddish song - her own musical lineage; and harmony music from around the world, which she has learned from tradition bearers and master singers.

Sarina has a passion for connecting people with their own creativity and with community, and uses harmony singing as a modality to help folks develop a sense of wonder and belonging in this wild world around us.

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KARLA MUNDY

KARLA MUNDY is a vibrant, soulful and diverse vocalist, pianist, arranger and choir leader. Karla directs Rhythm ‘n’ Roots and the City Soul Choir in Vancouver.

Karla leads harmony singing workshops throughout BC and organizes many singing camps, workshops and singing study trips abroad. Karla is a founding member of the No Sh!t Shirleys, TriVo, Cleia, Plough,  Tanglewood Trio and Big Whoop!

Karla is the founding director of SongRoots and has been running SongRoots Summer camp since 2014. She also designs and leads singing study programs internationally. Karla is passionate about teaching harmony singing, getting the music off the page and digging deep into new musical territory.

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ERINN DONCASTER

ERINN DONCASTER (they/them) is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, group therapist, and music educator known for their grounded and warm approach to facilitating. Founder of Find Your Song, Co-Founder of Fieramente Choir, and one third of Good Things Trio, Erinn works at the intersections of music and the human soul, creating environments and experiences that support students to blossom into the fullest versions of themselves.