Celebrating a season of connection

As we close on another successful season of our Sing for the Soul program, we wanted to reflect on not just what we accomplished, but what this program tells us about our community's need for inclusive, accessible arts programming.

What we set out to solve

In 2020, we recognized a gap in the local arts landscape. While we had a strong audience base of 35-65 year-olds, two key demographics were underserved: teens aged 13-19 and adults 55+. We also knew that marginalized communities often felt excluded from traditional arts programming and lacked accessible music therapy options.

The question became: how could we create something truly inclusive?

The solution: Sing for the Soul

We set out to create a drop in singing group where no auditions, no experience and no pressure existed. Just people coming together to share the joy of music.

The results speak for themselves:

• Over 140 community members have participated across the Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 seasons.
• Exciting expansion: We brought Sing for the Soul directly to Cristalina PARC, creating new connections in different community spaces.
• Fall 2025: Ready to welcome our community back (October 7th - December 22nd, Tuesdays 4:30-6:00 PM).

What makes it work?

This program exists because of partnerships that align with our mission. Led by Soul Sounds Music Therapy, a wonderful Kelowna based practice that brings professional music therapy to people of all ages and abilities throughout the Okanagan Valley, and supported by generous funding from Music Heals. We have created something truly unique in our community.

Music Heals which raises awareness and funding for music therapy programs across Canada and specifically supports access to music therapy for children, seniors, palliative care, mental health, at-risk youth, and rehabilitation programs. Their support has enabled us to offer this programming to our community, helping to keep it accessible and affordable. Our expansion to Cristalina PARC showcases how music therapy can make an impact in diverse community settings, meeting people where they are and creating new pathways for connection.

Sing for the Soul builds on the foundation we established with 'Beyond the Music.' Since 2022, that program has consistently served 8-12 adults with diverse abilities each week, alongside their support workers and caregivers. What it showed us was clear: there's an opportunity in our community for music therapy programming outside traditional clinical settings.

Community Impact

Over the past few seasons, we have seen the impact grow into something more than we could have imagined. The collaborative song selection process where participants and the certified music therapists from Soul Sounds Music Therapy choose music together creates genuine community connections.

This approach addresses emotional and social needs that traditional community programs often miss. We're not just providing entertainment; we're creating a holistic approach to health and wellbeing that makes support more accessible for those who need it most.

For Emily, the certified music therapist who leads the program, the experience has been a wonderful experience. "It was beautiful to watch strangers become friends, spouses reconnect in new ways and hear individuals share stories of personal growth, all thanks to the experience of singing together," she reflects. "I was humbled by each participant's willingness to share their voice, which is such a precious part of our identity and can feel vulnerable. We shared many moments of laughter, tears, and joy that I will remember for years to come!"

The program's impact is captured in the voices of those who participate. One participant shared, "Sing for the Soul helps me feel more connected to others." Another appreciates the accessibility: "I love that this program has no pressure or big commitment. I can just show up and sing. It's a welcoming, stress-free way to enjoy music with others." For some, it provides something irreplaceable: "This is the highlight of my week, the only time I can make music anymore."

Bridging care and community connection

The program's deeper significance becomes clear through the perspective of Kayla Turnbull, owner of Soul Sounds Music Therapy. As a music therapist in acute psychiatric care at Kelowna General Hospital, she recognized a critical gap in community support. "Many individuals I work with express a need for ongoing connection, creativity, and community after their time in care," she explains. "Sing for the Soul helps fill that gap bridging clinical services and accessible music therapy in a community setting."

While the program was inspired in part by the needs Kayla witnessed in hospital, it's designed to be open to all community members. "It offers a space where anyone can explore music as a way to connect, heal, and grow," she notes. Both Emily and Kayla often co-lead sessions, drawn by their shared commitment to the program's mission. "The feedback we received is a constant reminder of the impact this kind of shared musical space can have. Participants have told us how it's helped them reconnect with music, feel more joy, and build a deeper sense of connection with others."
This collaboration between the Rotary Centre for the Arts, Music Heals, and Soul Sounds Music Therapy represents something larger than any single program. As Kayla puts it, "I'm grateful for this collaboration and the shared commitment to making music therapy more inclusive and accessible."

Looking Forward

As we prepare for Fall 2025, we're not just planning another season, we're building sustainable programming that will continue meeting our community's evolving needs. The high demand from participants and inquiries from new community members shows us that Sing for the Soul has found its place in Kelowna's cultural landscape. The success of Sing for the Soul validates our approach and opens doors for expanded programming.

This program represents our ongoing commitment to the RCA's core mission: serving as a dynamic hub where artists and communities find empowerment through inclusive creative expression. Every Tuesday evening, we're proving that when we remove barriers and create welcoming spaces, our community responds with enthusiasm and engagement and that music therapy can thrive in community settings beyond traditional clinical environments.

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