The Power of Song:
A Weekend Workshop with Melanie DeMore

November 14th & 15th, 2026
10 am - 4 pm (both days)

BGC Toronto Kiwanis, 101 Spruce Street
Toronto, Canada

I am overjoyed to welcome back internationally renowned Vocal Activist, Composer, and Community Song Leader Melanie DeMore for a full-weekend workshop in Toronto this fall. Weaving the fibres of African-American folk music with songs for social justice and activism, Melanie will lead us on a two-day journey of singing together in the oral tradition. All that is required is a willingness to sing.

About Melanie DeMore

Melanie DeMore is one of the most outstanding Community Song Leaders of our times, inspiring and uplifting people around the world. She has a career spanning 50 years dedicated to teaching, mentoring, conducting, and inspiring adults and children about the power of song as a tool for social and political change.

For Melanie, nothing is closer to her heart than bringing people together to experience the healing power of music. Whether she’s performing solo, leading stick pounding workshops, doing residencies with choirs all over the world, or teaching Sound Awareness to sixth graders, baby boomers, or senior citizens, one thing is certain: her mission is to make sure you unlock the key to experiencing yourself in all your Glory, and return home with the very same excitement and passion for living that she herself has. When she comes your way, her energy will charge the very air you breathe like a meteor shower, so get ready to rise up!

Melanie is an adjunct faculty at the California Institute for Integral Studies, lead teaching artist for CalPerformances at UC Berkeley, a featured presenter for SpeakOut! The Institute for Social and Cultural Change, and the Artistic Conductor of The Oakland Children’s Community Choir. She is currently a Mentor-Conductor for the Jerusalem Youth Chorus, an inspiring initiative that empowers Israeli and Palestinian youth to sing together for peace, justice, inclusion, and equality.

Melanie has received three Grammy nominations, and was a founding member of the Grammy nominated Linda Tillery and the Cultural Heritage Choir. She has had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such varied artists as Odetta, Richey Havens, Pete Seeger, the Trinity Choir, MUSE Cincinatti Women’s Chorus and many others.

General Information

This workshop will take place over 2 days:
Saturday, November 14: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday, November 15: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm

Schedule for both days:
9:30 am: Doors open to workshop participants
10:00 am – 12:00 pm: Morning session
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm: Lunch break
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm: Afternoon session

We will provide tea and coffee throughout the day. Please bring your own lunch, or visit one of the nearby restaurants and cafes within a five minute walk of the workshop location.

Location

This workshop will be held at the BGC Toronto Kiwanis, in the historic “Cabbagetown” neighbourhood of Toronto. BGC Kiwanis is a vibrant community hub where children and youth are supported and empowered to achieve their dreams. The address is: 101 Spruce Street, Toronto.

This location is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you have any additional accessibility needs.

Registration

Registration for this workshop will open in April 2026. To be the first notified when registration opens, join Mila’s email list at the bottom of this page.

Words from past participants…

“Singing with Melanie is something I will never forget. She opened my eyes to the power of song as an instrument of change, hope, and peace in this world. I still sing her songs with my family and community.” – Angela Ouroumov

“Singing with Melanie DeMore was one of the highlights of my singing experience. She brought not just a weekend of joy and fun with her beautiful songs, but her compassion and love created a deep sense of community and connection. Her song called ‘Sending you Light’ is one of the most moving songs I know, and since that workshop, I’ve shared it with many friends and family to support them through difficult times. I’m so looking forward to Melanie’s next visit.” – Ellen Titus

“Melanie DeMore is an incredible song leader. I was thrilled to be part of the amazing workshop she led here in Toronto. It was unforgettable. She is so inspiring and left an indelible impression on me, not to mention several songs that I still sing whenever I can.” – Bruce Lyne

We acknowledge that this gathering will take place on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples. We also acknowledge that this land is covered by Treaty No. 13 with the Mississaugas of the Credit. We strive to learn to recognize our part in the ongoing history of colonization, and to understand how our community can work towards reconciliation, repair, and uplifting indigenous values and traditions.