Heart Song Collective CIC is a South East London-based singing for wellbeing community, run by Assamiya Bonner. We are a queer-led and queer-celebrating community who come together regularly to sing, connect, and co-regulate our nervous systems together through song. We sing songs exclusively by Natural Voice Network composers, in a circle, held in a trauma-informed way, and voice parts are not gendered. Our sessions are suitable for adults (18+), held in English, and regrettably, our studio space is not wheelchair accessible.
Our regular sessions are:
Song Medicine
Thursdays in term time, 7.30-9.30pm at Telegraph Hill Centre in SE14, London (details & tickets: https://buytickets.at/heartsongcollective/996678) These sessions are drop-in and tickets must be booked digitally in advance via the link above. Singers and non-singers welcome. Sliding scale for ticket prices, according to means.
Songs & Snuggles
Saturday 9th November, 3-6pm at Telegraph Hill Centre in SE14, London (details & tickets: https://buytickets.at/heartsongcollective/1199584) All levels of experience with both singing and conscious closeness/touch are welcome. Perfect for beginners. No touch necessary. Tickets must be booked digitally in advance via the link above. Singers and non-singers welcome. Sliding scale for ticket prices, according to means.
More about Song Medicine:
We’ve moved beyond a traditional “choir” set-up as a way of singing together, and into something more flowing, less formal, more inclusive, and totally focused on how it FEELS to sing (rather than what we sound like, although we do accidentally sound pretty awesome quite often!). No sheet music, no rehearsals, no performances: just weekly evening sessions of relaxed and heart-centred singing, playful connection and nervous-system-nourishment via simple, soulful circle singing and community. You are always in choice in these sessions: stand or sit; stillness or movement; choose the voice part or parts which FEEL most pleasurable to sing, regardless of gender or vocal register.
Song Medicine session outline:
🟊 7.15pm doors open and registration
🟊 7.30pm begin with group check-in
🟊 physical and vocal warm-ups
🟊 learn and sing two more upbeat songs (2/3/4 part harmony, a call & response or a round) sitting or standing in a circle
🟊 tea break
🟊 learn and sing a slower, more meditative song, sitting in a circle
🟊 closing sharing circle (one word shares), transition ready for travel and aftercare notes
🟊 9.30pm close & hugs for those who want them
Please note: These are alcohol and substance sober events, suitable for those in the recovery community.
About the Song Leader:
Assamiya (pronounced A-sa-mee-a, she/her pronouns) is an experienced professional classical singer, song leader, singing teacher and trauma-informed transformational coach. She has a Holistic Singing Teaching practice in Brockley (SE4), facilitates singing workshops across the UK for festivals and community gatherings, and is a verified member of the Proud Wellness Practitioners Directory.
Assamiya is passionate about singing, wellbeing and community, and is making it her mission to spread the practice of Song Medicine across the UK, helping people reclaim their relationship with their singing voice, nourish their nervous systems and create community connections.
