Singing from the Well
A Women's Day Retreat
Sunday, January 24th, 2027
10:00 am - 4:30 pm
Shadow Lake Centre
Stouffville, Ontario
(45 minutes from Toronto)
Nourish your soul, tend to your body, and uplift your spirit at this day-long wellness retreat for women.
Singing from the Well is about Nourishment with a capital “N” — filling up the well that feeds you through song, nature, community, and connection. We’ll gather at the stunning Shadow Lake Centre, a short 45-minute drive from Toronto. In between our morning and afternoon song circles, you’ll have time to explore 300 acres of wilderness trails, enjoy a home-cooked organic lunch, or curl up by the fireplace and rest.
Throughout our day together, we’ll sing simple, soul-nourishing songs learned by ear, in the oral tradition. We’ll play with harmonies, layer songs, and “don’t make me think” songs that move us out of our minds and into our bodies. In the spirit of a small village, we’ll gather to sing, share, play, connect, and rest in the timelessness of the present moment.
Our songs will explore themes of belonging and connection, earth and water, grief and joy, courage and freedom. They’re songs to tuck into your pocket for moments when you need them, and songs that you can weave into the rhythm of your daily life. More than anything, they are songs that were made to nourish and enliven us.
Community Singing is a simple yet powerful wellness practice that helps restore our sense of connection, belonging, and wholeness. Singing together can reduce stress, lift our spirits, and nurture joy and connection.
This retreat welcomes all those with lived experience as a woman, including non-binary folks who feel comfortable in a woman-centred space. No singing experience is required.
*This retreat is designed as an adult-only experience, due to the length of the day and the size of the group. However, pre-crawling babies are welcome.
Schedule of our Day
10:00 am - 10:30 am: Arrival, settle in, walk the land, and drink some tea
10:30 am - 12:30 pm: Opening Circle and Singing
12:30 pm-2:30 pm: Home-cooked organic lunch, hiking, relaxing, and connecting
2:30 pm - 4:30 pm: Singing and Closing Circle
Meet Your Retreat Host
Mila Redwood is a Community Song Leader and the founder of Sing for Joy in Toronto, where she has spent more than a decade creating spaces for people to experience the joy, belonging, and connection that come from singing together.
Mila pioneered a Community Singing movement in Ontario that has flourished over the past decade. Her approach is rooted in the oral tradition — simple, inclusive, participatory singing that requires no musical training and invites everyone into the circle.
As your facilitator, Mila will be guiding the group throughout the day, leading the singing, creating the rhythm, and helping to hold the space for connection, joy, and rest.
Location
We are fortunate to hold this retreat at the inspiring and beautiful Shadow Lake Centre, a short 45 minute drive north of Toronto. The address is: 15041 9th Line, Stouffville, Ontario, L4A 3E4. In between our morning and afternoon song circles, you’ll have time to explore the 300 acres of wilderness trails, snowshoe or cross-country ski on their private lake, or simply curl up by the fireplace and rest.
Our workshop room at the Shadow Lake Centre is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you have any additional accessibility needs for the day.
Cost & Registration
Price per person: $175 (plus sales tax)
This price includes:
Facilitated group-singing sessions in the morning and afternoon
A home-cooked organic lunch made by the wonderful Annie
Tea, coffee, and an afternoon home-baked snack
A stunningly beautiful, natural setting to relax, connect, and unwind
A “basket” of songs to return home with
Terms & Conditions:
Please review the full Terms & Conditions for this retreat, before booking your spot. It includes important information on the Cancellation & Refund Policy, Health & Wellness Agreements, and more. Click here to read the Terms & Conditions.
Words from past participants…
“Singing from the Well was so uplifting, full of passion and connection. My heart opened and my spirit soared in song. I've found myself humming the songs we learned together all week. Little musical ear worms of hope, joy and caring.” – Amy Gourley
“I am so delighted to have discovered Mila's retreats. We sang all day and it wasn't enough. Mila has such a clear, positive and down-to-earth energy. Grounded and uplifting all at once. She made it all feel so simple - I'm still marvelling that we learned those beautiful harmonies together in a way that seemed so effortless.” – Kate Keenan
“Mila holds some serious song magic, and has a beautiful ability of weaving song, playfulness, and deep meaning into her workshops. These moments of group singing are cherished, and feed my soul in ways that are palpable for days after. Singing in this way has helped me to feel ever-more confident in my own voice and ability to share songs.” – Sammy Tangir
“Mila's retreats have profoundly shifted my relationship with my voice. I highly, highly recommend Mila's work to any woman who wants to experience Community Singing that nourishes deeply while allowing space for grief, joy, and everything in between.” – Maya Nadeem
“Mila draws you in with authenticity and opens you up with her joy. Then, you remember parts of who you really are, and you come home to yourself. Connection and healing happen in the safe, thoughtful, exuberant song-scape that Mila creates. As she moves our group, I experience myself as an essential part of an essential whole, and I know that singing is everyone’s birthright.” – Sarah Vandenberg
I respectfully acknowledge that this gathering will take place on the traditional territory of the Wendat, Haudenosaunee, and Anishinaabe First Nations. I also acknowledge the presence of the Chippewas of Georgina Island to the north of Stouffville, and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island to the east of Stouffville. I strive to learn to recognize my part in the ongoing history of colonization, and to understand how our community can work towards reconciliation, repair, and uplifting indigenous values and traditions.