As a gay transgender man, I have a deep commitment to working within diverse LGBTQIA+ communities to build collective power, creativity, and resilience through music. It is a great joy and privilege for me to help queer and trans folks and allies come together in song and celebrate each other's unique voices.
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About Me
Eli Conley is a singer-songwriter and teaching artist based in Sacramento, California. He is a certified teacher of Somatic Voicework - The LoVetri Method™ who continues to study to deepen his approach to contemporary vocal pedagogy. He performs and tours as a folk/country artist, and is a former member of the Grammy award-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus. In addition to group classes and workshops, Eli also offers private voice lessons and songwriting coaching for people of all identities, ages 13 and up. My classes weave together participatory discussion, group songs, musical games, topical lessons, and guided exercises to get participants making music consciously and joyfully. I draw on my 20+ years of vocal training and experience as a touring singer-songwriter. I am also active in social justice movements as a musician, song leader, facilitator, fundraiser, and community organizer. I draw inspiration from the many ways social justice movements use music to build community and strengthen organizing for collective liberation. |
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What does LGBTQIA+ stand for?
LGBTQIA stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual. The plus sign acknowledges that there are myriad ways that people express their gender and sexuality, and even a long acronym can't encompass all of them. Allies are straight cisgender people who are open to being in a queer-centered space, and are committed to unlearning heterosexism, transphobia, and patriarchy.
spring 2025
Coming Summer 2025
Coming Fall 2025
Coming Winter 2026
Other Offerings
Queer Singing Circle (In Person)
For Queer & Trans People & Allies
Sunday, July 13, 2025
3:30 - 5 pm
Sacramento Friends Meeting House
890 57th St, Sacramento, CA
Cost
$10 - $50 Sliding Scale
Join singer-songwriter and teaching artist Eli Conley for a gathering to connect with your breath and raise up your voice in queer community. Eli will teach rounds, songs in simple two and three-part harmony, and songs he improvises on the spot for the group to sing. Total beginners to experienced singers are welcome. No prior musical experience is needed. While this space centers queer, trans, and non-binary voices, everyone is welcome!
Accessibility
Disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent folks are very welcome here! The space where we meet is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible, with no steps and a parking lot right outside. We will sit in sturdy chairs without arms, and there is a dark, quiet room if you need to take a break. We will be the only people at the Meeting House during this time. There are two single stall ADA accessible all gender restrooms in the building. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
COVID Precautions
N95/KN95 masks will be required. Free masks will be available for anyone who needs one. We'll be meeting inside in a large, high-ceilinged room. Air conditioning will be on, and we will also have an air purifier running. You're welcome to reach out with any questions.
Unlock the Song Inside: Beginning Songwriting (Online)
A Class for Queer & Trans People & Allies
Tuesdays, April 8th - June 3rd, 2025
6 - 8 pm Pacific / 9 - 11 pm Eastern - Time Zone Converter
This class is full, and registration has closed. To be notified next time this class is offered, please join the email list.
Everyone has songs inside of them. What do yours sound like? Join us to unlock your creativity and let your songs out!
This is an online community class for queer and transgender people and allies. Whether you're totally new to songwriting or you've been writing for years, this class will get your creative juices flowing! We'll explore the way that chords, melody, and lyrics come together to create a song, and learn strategies to strengthen each of these elements of our songwriting.
Over the course of nine weeks participants will share works in progress and receive supportive feedback to help them grow as songwriters. We'll analyze songs to understand how music takes listeners on an emotional journey. We'll also cover rhyme, melody, common song forms, hooks, and basic chord theory to help take the guesswork out of choosing the right chords for each song.
It is recommended (but not required) that participants be able to sing a simple song and play an instrument at the same time, or create and sing over their own beats/musical backing tracks. No other musical experience is necessary. You do not need to read music or know any music theory to participate. Beginning songwriters are very welcome!
Testimonials
"What a beautiful and powerful vision: co-create space to literally lift up each other's voices. As a trans person, and as a queer person, I have so embodied the violent belief that my voice does not matter. To have a space to explore my own unlearning was truly a much needed reminder that when I honor my voice, I honor my spirit, my aliveness."
"Such a powerful experience connecting to my voice as a songwriter. Eli's expertise, guidance, and ability to draw out strong work and pass on skills was so important."
"This class was a transformational experience for me. I am constantly humming and making up silly tunes and have felt for a long time like there's something I want to say that needs to come out through song... This space, with its intentional structuring, supportive community building, and insightful and powerfully rendered lessons opened me up in ways I didn't know I needed to grow. I feel so excited to continue to grow as a songwriter and so joyful that I now have this resource to process my world."
"Eli has mastered the art of teaching songwriting. He took us twelve beginning songwriters and helped us feel comfortable enough to actually start writing songs, and created a sense of community within the class that helped see us through... This experience was incredibly powerful and moving for me."
"This class was life changing! I've always wanted to write songs, but was too scared and didn't trust myself. This class has given me a supportive environment, confidence, and the basic knowledge to write 6 original songs, something I never thought I'd be able to do."
"I found myself continuously in awe of each person's unique voice, style, and capacity to create in each round of sharing. I felt moved by something in everyone's songs and that was powerful."
"I learned so much about songwriting and learned to embrace myself as an artist and musician -- despite thinking beforehand that I was way too amateur to take myself seriously. And maybe best of all is the supportive queer community that Eli brings together, which makes the experience extra special. Thank you, Eli!"
Accessibility
Neurodivergent and disabled folks are very welcome and encouraged to join us! Autocaptions will be enabled in Zoom. Live attendance is highly encouraged, but all classes will also be recorded and available to watch for one week after each session. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register, to hold your spot
- 50% on the first day of class
At Cost: $376 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the minimum rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage.
Higher Rate: $476 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $276 (4 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.
Pay What You Can: $100 - $250 (2 spots)
Two pay-what-you-can spots are available in this class. If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a hardship, this option is for you.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
Intro to Harmony Singing (In Person)
A 9-Week Class for LGBTQIA+ People and Allies
Note: As of Friday, April 11th, there are still a few spots available in this class. Please email me if you'd like to join us!
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
April 7th - June 2nd, 2025
In East Sacramento, CA
This is a fun community class for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, intersex, and/or asexual people and our allies who want to learn how to sing harmony by ear.
We will explore rounds and other big group songs, singing in harmony on assigned parts in small groups, and coming up with your own two-part harmony for a duet. You will learn how to hear and sing major triad chords, and build a basic understanding of how chords form the basis of harmony singing. Participants are asked to meet with their duet partner to practice their song at least twice outside of class over the course of the eight weeks.
This class is designed for people who are generally able to carry a tune, aka stay in key when singing solo. Beginners are welcome -- all learning will be done by ear, so you do not need to have any musical training or know how to read music. If you have any questions about whether this class is right for you, please contact Eli.
The class will culminate with a celebratory performance on the last day. Glitter will be optional but highly encouraged!
What Past Participants Have To Say
"I highly encourage anyone who has ever felt in awe of a choir in harmony or an intimate duet to take this class and feel the joy of making that aural alchemy yourself. Singing has brought me so much joy."
"After having spent many many years feeling uncertain about how to harmonize, this course helped to demystify harmonizing for me. Eli pushes us just a little out of our comfort zones, enough to build our self-confidence over time. I highly recommend it!"
"Eli is a fantastic, patient, and kind teacher, and the class was such a joy to be in. I learned a lot too! I felt supported and encouraged the whole time."
Accessibility
All of the exercises in this class are designed to work for people with a broad range of abilities and body types, and disabled and neurodivergent folks are very welcome! The space where we meet is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible with no steps and a parking lot right outside. Students will sit in sturdy chairs without arms. There are two single stall ADA accessible all gender restrooms in the building. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
COVID Care
Singing is unfortunately a high risk activity for virus transmission. We will meet in a large open room and always have an air purifier running. Out of love for our immunocompromised and disabled community members, this class will also require N95 or KN95 masks, and proof of updated COVID vaccination. Lightweight duckbill-style N95s that are more comfortable for singing will be provided, or you can wear your own mask. You're welcome to reach out with questions.
Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register
- 50% on the first day of class
Participants can also request a payment plan to split the second half of their fee into three installments.
At Cost: $376 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the minimum rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage. Consider paying this amount if doing so would be an investment, but not create hardship for you. For example, please choose this rate if you are regularly able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare) and have some expendable income, you can travel every few years without burden, and you have some debt but are able to pay it regularly.
Higher Rate: $476 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $276 (4 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.
Pay What You Can: $110 - $250 (2 spots)
Two pay-what-you-can spots are available in this class. If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a significant hardship, this option is for you.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
A 9-Week Class for LGBTQIA+ People and Allies
Note: As of Friday, April 11th, there are still a few spots available in this class. Please email me if you'd like to join us!
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
April 7th - June 2nd, 2025
In East Sacramento, CA
This is a fun community class for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, non-binary, queer, intersex, and/or asexual people and our allies who want to learn how to sing harmony by ear.
We will explore rounds and other big group songs, singing in harmony on assigned parts in small groups, and coming up with your own two-part harmony for a duet. You will learn how to hear and sing major triad chords, and build a basic understanding of how chords form the basis of harmony singing. Participants are asked to meet with their duet partner to practice their song at least twice outside of class over the course of the eight weeks.
This class is designed for people who are generally able to carry a tune, aka stay in key when singing solo. Beginners are welcome -- all learning will be done by ear, so you do not need to have any musical training or know how to read music. If you have any questions about whether this class is right for you, please contact Eli.
The class will culminate with a celebratory performance on the last day. Glitter will be optional but highly encouraged!
What Past Participants Have To Say
"I highly encourage anyone who has ever felt in awe of a choir in harmony or an intimate duet to take this class and feel the joy of making that aural alchemy yourself. Singing has brought me so much joy."
"After having spent many many years feeling uncertain about how to harmonize, this course helped to demystify harmonizing for me. Eli pushes us just a little out of our comfort zones, enough to build our self-confidence over time. I highly recommend it!"
"Eli is a fantastic, patient, and kind teacher, and the class was such a joy to be in. I learned a lot too! I felt supported and encouraged the whole time."
Accessibility
All of the exercises in this class are designed to work for people with a broad range of abilities and body types, and disabled and neurodivergent folks are very welcome! The space where we meet is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible with no steps and a parking lot right outside. Students will sit in sturdy chairs without arms. There are two single stall ADA accessible all gender restrooms in the building. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
COVID Care
Singing is unfortunately a high risk activity for virus transmission. We will meet in a large open room and always have an air purifier running. Out of love for our immunocompromised and disabled community members, this class will also require N95 or KN95 masks, and proof of updated COVID vaccination. Lightweight duckbill-style N95s that are more comfortable for singing will be provided, or you can wear your own mask. You're welcome to reach out with questions.
Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register
- 50% on the first day of class
Participants can also request a payment plan to split the second half of their fee into three installments.
At Cost: $376 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the minimum rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage. Consider paying this amount if doing so would be an investment, but not create hardship for you. For example, please choose this rate if you are regularly able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare) and have some expendable income, you can travel every few years without burden, and you have some debt but are able to pay it regularly.
Higher Rate: $476 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $276 (4 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.
Pay What You Can: $110 - $250 (2 spots)
Two pay-what-you-can spots are available in this class. If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a significant hardship, this option is for you.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
Coming summer 2025
Singing on T (Online)
A 9-Week Class for Trans, Nonbinary, &/or Intersex Folks on Testosterone
Tuesdays, June 24 - August 19, 2025
6 - 8 pm Pacific / 9 - 11 pm Eastern - Time Zone Converter
Join longtime trans voice teacher Eli Conley for a nine-week online class all about the joys and challenges of singing on testosterone! Whether you've just started hormones, taken them for decades, or been on and off over time, you are welcome here.
In this class we’ll cover how testosterone affects your voice physiologically and debunk some common myths about singing and T. We’ll explore targeted vocal exercises to help you get to know your voice as it is right now, and what to expect if it’s still in the process of changing. Over the course of our time together you’ll find more ease and freedom in your singing, and build community with folks on a similar journey.
Each participant will get one-on-one coaching from Eli, and leave with tools to continue training their voice on their own. Folks with all levels of singing experience (or lack thereof) are encouraged to join us!
Attending and participating live is highly encouraged, but if you have to miss a session, each class will be recorded and the video will be available to watch for one week.
What Past Participants Say
"T is not ruining your voice. It's just giving you a new instrument, and you'll have to learn to play it all over again (emphasis on 'play!'). This class will teach you how, while joyfully welcoming every crack, squeak, and off-key note along the way. It's an amazing experience that I wish every transmasculine singer could have."
"Eli's awesome! His gentle coaching style and focus on somatics made this class very enjoyable. I had all but given up on my upper range after 3 years on T and this class made me feel like I could trust my voice again!"
"Once I'd been on T for a while, I felt baritone sounds coming out of me, and I knew something important was happening, but my new voice seemed so awkward, so out of my control. Even though I seemed so close to having the voice I'd always wanted, I was afraid I'd never really be able to use it to sing... After taking this course and working on the exercises several times a week, I'm vastly more confident and optimistic. My sound is already much richer, my falsetto is stronger, and I've come a long way toward coordinating the two registers. It's clear to me that I'll eventually be even more at home in my new baritone than I ever was as an alto."
Accessibility
This online class is designed to work for people with a broad range of abilities and body types. Neurodivergent and disabled folks are very encouraged to join us! All classes will have autocaptions enabled, and a transcript will be made available afterward. Live attendance is encouraged, but all classes will also be recorded and available to watch for one week after each session. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register, to hold your spot
- 50% on the first day of class
Participants can also request a payment plan to break up their payment into more installments.
At Cost: $376 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage.
Higher Rate: $476 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $276 (4 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.
Pay What You Can (2 spots)
Two pay-what-you-can spots are available in this class. If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a significant hardship, this option is for you.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
Queer Songwriter Circle (Online)
A Monthly Workshop Group for Queer & Trans Folks & Allies
Sunday Group
This group is full -- please consider joining the Wednesday group instead.
2:30 - 5 pm Pacific / 5:30 - 8 pm Eastern - Time Zone Converter
1st Sunday of the Month
Jul 6, Aug 3, Sep 14, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7, 2025
Wednesday Group
5:30 - 8 pm Pacific / 8:30 - 11 pm Eastern - Time Zone Converter
3rd Wednesday of the Month
Current Session: Jan 15, Feb 19, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 21, Jun 18, 2025
Next Session: Jul 16, Aug 20, Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17, 2025
The Queer Songwriter Circle is a small online workshop group for queer and trans people and allies. At each meeting participants share a song they're working on and receive feedback from the teacher and the group in a warm, supportive setting. We use a method inspired by Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process: We start by sharing what we love about each song, then explore what's working and what could be revised to make the song stronger, tailoring our feedback to the songwriter's questions and areas they would like help. Everyone participates in this process, and the goal is for all of us to learn something from each song we look at.
Each circle is limited to six participants so we can take a deep dive into each person's work and build an ongoing creative community. Most people play live so we can try out changes in real time, but you can also play a recording of your song. Every month there is an optional prompt to help get your writing started for next time. It is recommended (but not required) that participants have taken at least one songwriting class with Eli prior to joining a circle. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to see if this space is a fit for you.
Accessibility
Neurodivergent and disabled folks are very welcome and encouraged to join us! Autocaptions will be enabled in Zoom. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
What Past Participants Say
"Eli's songwriter circles are a delightful space where queer community, creativity, music, and mutual support all come together in beautiful ways. I highly recommend this circle for songwriters of all levels of experience who want support and motivation to keep writing!"
"There’s something magic about this circle. Both my group of peers and the way Eli creates and helps nurture that group. Having positive spaces that are not just about our identities but where we can share queer joy and queer grief is really meaningful. "
"This writing circle is such a great way to continue my songwriting practice and challenge myself to write consistently. Everyone has been super open to my songs whether they are just written an hour before or on their fifth draft. I love the feedback, flexibility, and community."
"This is a wonderful, warm, supportive and beautifully Queer space to continue to grow as a songwriter. Eli cultivates a sense of community that encourages everyone to show up exactly where they are at. And it is a lot of fun!"
"This group has been really important to me for a lot of reasons. Even though I’ve never met any of these people in person, I love it. I feel like I can be a human with them. I have loved being here and not having to explain who I am and just being accepted. And songs! I hadn’t written anything in years, and now I have two entirely new songs and one highly reworked song. It was so cool that I had this obligation that I had chosen to do that would come up once a month."
Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register, to hold your spot
- 50% on the first day we meet
At Cost: $330 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the minimum rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage. Consider paying this amount if doing so would be an investment, but not create hardship for you. You might choose this rate if you are regularly able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare) and have some expendable income, you can travel every few years without burden, and you have some debt but are able to pay it regularly.
Higher Rate: $375 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $285 (2 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.
Pay What You Can: $110 - $250 (1 spot)
If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a significant hardship, this option is for you.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
A Monthly Workshop Group for Queer & Trans Folks & Allies
Sunday Group
This group is full -- please consider joining the Wednesday group instead.
2:30 - 5 pm Pacific / 5:30 - 8 pm Eastern - Time Zone Converter
1st Sunday of the Month
Jul 6, Aug 3, Sep 14, Oct 5, Nov 2, Dec 7, 2025
Wednesday Group
5:30 - 8 pm Pacific / 8:30 - 11 pm Eastern - Time Zone Converter
3rd Wednesday of the Month
Current Session: Jan 15, Feb 19, Mar 19, Apr 16, May 21, Jun 18, 2025
Next Session: Jul 16, Aug 20, Sept 17, Oct 15, Nov 19, Dec 17, 2025
The Queer Songwriter Circle is a small online workshop group for queer and trans people and allies. At each meeting participants share a song they're working on and receive feedback from the teacher and the group in a warm, supportive setting. We use a method inspired by Liz Lerman's Critical Response Process: We start by sharing what we love about each song, then explore what's working and what could be revised to make the song stronger, tailoring our feedback to the songwriter's questions and areas they would like help. Everyone participates in this process, and the goal is for all of us to learn something from each song we look at.
Each circle is limited to six participants so we can take a deep dive into each person's work and build an ongoing creative community. Most people play live so we can try out changes in real time, but you can also play a recording of your song. Every month there is an optional prompt to help get your writing started for next time. It is recommended (but not required) that participants have taken at least one songwriting class with Eli prior to joining a circle. Please reach out if you have any questions or want to see if this space is a fit for you.
Accessibility
Neurodivergent and disabled folks are very welcome and encouraged to join us! Autocaptions will be enabled in Zoom. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
What Past Participants Say
"Eli's songwriter circles are a delightful space where queer community, creativity, music, and mutual support all come together in beautiful ways. I highly recommend this circle for songwriters of all levels of experience who want support and motivation to keep writing!"
"There’s something magic about this circle. Both my group of peers and the way Eli creates and helps nurture that group. Having positive spaces that are not just about our identities but where we can share queer joy and queer grief is really meaningful. "
"This writing circle is such a great way to continue my songwriting practice and challenge myself to write consistently. Everyone has been super open to my songs whether they are just written an hour before or on their fifth draft. I love the feedback, flexibility, and community."
"This is a wonderful, warm, supportive and beautifully Queer space to continue to grow as a songwriter. Eli cultivates a sense of community that encourages everyone to show up exactly where they are at. And it is a lot of fun!"
"This group has been really important to me for a lot of reasons. Even though I’ve never met any of these people in person, I love it. I feel like I can be a human with them. I have loved being here and not having to explain who I am and just being accepted. And songs! I hadn’t written anything in years, and now I have two entirely new songs and one highly reworked song. It was so cool that I had this obligation that I had chosen to do that would come up once a month."
Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register, to hold your spot
- 50% on the first day we meet
At Cost: $330 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the minimum rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage. Consider paying this amount if doing so would be an investment, but not create hardship for you. You might choose this rate if you are regularly able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare) and have some expendable income, you can travel every few years without burden, and you have some debt but are able to pay it regularly.
Higher Rate: $375 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $285 (2 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.
Pay What You Can: $110 - $250 (1 spot)
If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a significant hardship, this option is for you.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
Coming Fall 2025
Intermediate Songwriting (Online)
A Class for Queer & Trans People & Allies
Tuesdays, 6 - 8 pm Pacific / 9 - 11 pm Eastern - Time Zone Converter
August 26th - November 4th, 2025
No Class September 2nd or September 23rd (Rosh Hashanah)
This class will open for registration soon. To be notified when it does, please join the email list.
Get your creative juices flowing in this online songwriting class for queer and trans folks and allies! We'll explore techniques for writing memorable melodies, crafting compelling chord progressions, writing an effective bridge, and setting up the verses so your songs deepen in meaning as they go on. Along the way there will be songwriting prompts, in class writing exercises, and space to share about songs you love. Every other session will be a workshop day where participants share songs-in-progress and the teacher and the group help each writer strengthen their work in a warm, supportive setting.
No formal musical training is needed, but participants should have some previous background with songwriting. It is recommended (but not required) that participants be able to sing a simple song and play an instrument at the same time, or create and sing over their own beats/musical backing tracks.
The class culminates with a celebratory online performance on March 11th. Glitter will be optional but highly encouraged!
What Past Participants Say
"Eli is such a wonderful teacher! I feel like I grow with each lesson he gives. His feedback is specific and kind and he's always open to whatever style you bring to the table."
"Eli is a warm and skilled teacher who also sometimes acts as a community healer. His ability to create space for all the baggage and trauma that often inspires or informs our music is sensitive and accessible and kind. It is so much more than just learning tips for songwriting. It's also about sharing our gifts and stories with members of our community and holding our precious experiences with love and gratitude. The space he created for us has helped me in ways I couldn't have imagined."
"This class has been a tremendous help in building my confidence and discipline as a songwriter as well as a sense of community. I can't recommend it highly enough."
"This class helped make music make sense to me in a way it never has before. It felt a little like a magician showing me how to pull the rabbit out of the hat, and Eli is a master magician. The combination of teaching the theory of songwriting and the practice of songwriting was great, with Eli showing us actual examples of the theory through other people's songs as well as our own. Eli creates a very safe space to explore songwriting, and I will always be grateful to him."
"Eli holds safe space for messy, human existence. It was a great environment to share my vulnerable creativity, in any stage."
Accessibility
Neurodivergent and disabled folks are very welcome and encouraged to join us! Autocaptions will be enabled in Zoom, and a transcript will be available. Live attendance is encouraged, but all classes will also be recorded and available to watch for one week after each session. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register, to hold your spot
- 50% on the first day of class
Participants can also request a payment plan to break up their payment into more installments.
At Cost: $376 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage.
Higher Rate: $476 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $276 (4 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.
Pay What You Can (2 spots)
Two pay-what-you-can spots are available in this class. If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a hardship, this option is for you.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
The Fundamentals of Singing (In Person)
A 9-Week Class for Queer & Trans People & Allies
Mondays, 6:30 - 8:30 pm
August 25th - November 3rd, 2025
No Class September 1st (Labor Day) or September 22nd (Rosh Hashanah)
East Sacramento, California
This class will open for registration soon. To be notified when it does, please join the email list.
This is an in person community singing class for queer and transgender people and allies who want to develop their voices in a warm, supportive group setting. Beginners are very welcome! No musical experience is necessary.
Learn to sing using fun games, vocal exercises, group sing-a-longs, and solo songs of your own choosing. You will strengthen your natural voice by learning the fundamentals of vocal technique. We'll explore breathing for singing in depth, and developing your chest (low), head (high), and mix (middle) registers. You'll get personalized coaching, and learn how to listen to yourself and other singers with a more knowledgeable ear. You'll also get lots of practice and get more comfortable singing solo in front of others.
The class culminates with a recital on the last day. Glitter will be optional but highly encouraged!
What Past Participants Say
"This class was the light of my week. I am astounded by how much my voice and my confidence have grown in such a short time."
"This class opened up a new world for me. I have always harbored a desire to sing with the confidence I see in many of my friends but due to anxiety I've always shut myself down, held my voice back. This class helped me to open up to my voice, to give it space to just be what it is and to start to love and value it. I'm so grateful and so excited to see what other changes this leads to in my life."
"Eli's classes are magic: queer community, gender inclusivity, singing, personal expression. It's the safest, most encouraging space to learn to sing. I couldn't imagine growing as much as I have as a singer and as a person without it."
"I rarely sang before this class, although I was an experienced cellist. I felt myself improving and growing in confidence from the very first week, and despite a critical ear and brain, came to truly enjoy the sound of my own voice and the experience of singing, thanks to Eli's amazing teaching style and skill. I immediately signed up for a second class, and recruited several friends to join me."
"I have dreamt of a place free of shame and snobbery. I found it! This class brought me to a community of folks centered in love of song and voice that was encouraging in a realistic way. I learned so much about music and voice. This is another reminder what queerdos can create for each other in community!"
COVID Care
Singing is unfortunately a high risk activity for virus transmission. We will meet in a large open room and always have an air purifier running. Out of love for our immunocompromised and disabled community members, this class will also require N95 or KN95 masks, and proof of updated COVID vaccination. Lightweight duckbill-style N95s that are more comfortable for singing will be provided, or you can wear your own mask. You're welcome to reach out with questions.
Accessibility
All of the exercises in this class are designed to work for people with a broad range of abilities and body types, and disabled and neurodivergent folks are very welcome! Our meeting space is wheelchair and mobility scooter accessible, with no steps and a parking lot right outside. Students will sit in sturdy chairs without arms. There are two single stall ADA accessible all gender restrooms in the building. Please let me know about your specific access needs when you register. You're also welcome to reach out with any questions about accessibility.
Cost (Sliding Scale)
The cost of this class is on a sliding scale, and payment is due in two installments:
- 50% when you register, to hold your spot
- 50% on the first day of class
Participants can also request a payment plan to break up their payment into more installments.
At Cost: $376 (Unlimited spots)
This is the true cost of the class, and the rate I need most people to pay in order to cover my costs and pay myself a living wage.
Higher Rate: $476 (Unlimited spots)
This is a pay-it-forward rate. It's an opportunity to not only take this class, but also support your fellow community members in doing so too. Consider paying this amount if you are comfortably able to meet your basic needs (food, housing, healthcare, transportation, childcare), own the home your live in or rent a higher end property, have access to financial savings and/or investments, have paid or pay for private education, have reliable work or do not need to work to meet your needs, have inherited wealth, and/or can afford to travel every year.
Lower Rate: $276 (4 spots)
This is a discounted rate. Consider paying this amount if you have limited expendable income, little or no access to savings, significant debt, and little or no access to financial support from family.
Pay What You Can (2 spots)
Two pay-what-you-can spots are available in this class. If you are Black, Indigenous, a Person of Color, and/or disabled and paying more would be a hardship, this option is for you.
I am grateful to Alexis J. Cunningfolk of Worts and Cunning Apothecary and Hadassah Damien of Ride Free Fearless Money for inspiring my approach to sliding scale.
Want to hear about upcoming offerings when they're announced?
Winter 2026
Sing Your Song (Sacramento)
A Singing Class for Queer & Trans People & Allies
This class will be offered again in early 2026. Please join the email list to be notified when dates are announced.
Calling all shower singers, guitar strummers, and karaoke lovers! In this class you'll learn body-based singing technique, how to put songs in the best key for your voice, and improve your rhythm. Along the way we'll play fun musical games, sing group and solo songs, and you'll get personalized coaching. You can focus on singing while playing an instrument, or sing with karaoke tracks. Beginner to intermediate folks welcome. You do not need to have any previous musical training. The class culminates with a recital on November 4th. Glitter will be optional but highly encouraged!
Testimonials
"Eli's classes are life changing. His encouragement and teaching style are welcoming and just the right amount of challenging to help you grow as a singer. Eli taught me to love my voice and the gift that music is."
"As someone who loves to sing but struggles to do so publicly, I found Eli's class to be incredibly safe and affirming. I learned how to have faith in my voice and musicianship while getting to know lots of lovely folks! Eli is an incredibly skilled teacher."
"Eli's classes teach equal parts technique and grace. His accessible, generous, inclusive approach encouraged me to explore my voice with more compassion and bravery than I knew was possible. I want to take every class he teaches!"
"It was so heartening to work with a group of queers and allies finding their voices and sharing their talents and growing exponentially in their performance skills due to the enthusiasm and specificity that Eli provides."
"I always played instruments growing up and enjoyed singing along to them. I haven't been doing that recently until I found this class. It was a perfect place with a wonderful community. Eli is a great coach and knows how to make you feel comfortable and safe while singing."
"Classes with Eli have been a delightful part of my life over the last several years. I so appreciate the queer and trans community space, the experience of singing in a group, and Eli's highly skillful teaching -- technically deep, celebratory and supportive."
COVID Care
Singing is unfortunately a high risk activity for virus transmission. Out of care for the health of all participants, including disabled and immunocompromised folks, this class requires N95, KN95, or KF94 masks. Lightweight duckbill-style N95s that are more comfortable for singing will be provided, or you can wear your own mask. You're welcome to reach out with any questions.