Voices of the Heart
Santa Cruz, California
Laura Sera is passionately committed to the healing and transformative power of song — it has beautifully awakened and expanded her life and her greatest wish is for it to awaken and expand your life, too!
Laura has been leading Voices of the Heart song circles since 2020. She’s a collaborator at Song Village, and has been a guest song leader at Heather Houston’s Sisters in Harmony summer retreat and other community singing events. She sings in multiple choirs: she’s the soprano section leader for Pacific Voices and has served Heather’s choir Yala Lati as a section leader. Prior to the pandemic she performed around Santa Cruz with her a women’s trio, New Moon.
Laura’s original songs restore our connection to ourselves, to each other, to nature, and to love.
She has an MFA in creative writing and a BA in documentary film, and is deeply experienced in holding safe space for others to explore their voices and discover the true agency they have within their own narrative unfolding.
With Laura you will feel deeply heard, safely held, and always welcome, exactly as you are.
Laura’s singing circles are deeply nourishing for my soul, and uplifting for my spirit! I’m able to show up as I am, in raw tenderness or in joy, and find myself held in sisterhood, my voice welcomed and brought to life by the circle of community and care that you create. Thank you from my heart! — Caraway
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“Your gift of song and the sisterhood you’re creating is amazing. Last night I sang to my students in savasana for the first time! I’m going to do that more. The circle you’ve created has lifted my spirits and helped us all grow together. For me it’s even better than a women’s support group because we get to support and talk but mostly share song and open our hearts together. You have changed my life so much for the better. Thank you.” — Elena
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About Voices of the Heart: 6-Week Series
Open your voice and expand your creativity!
Who would you be, if you let go of all doubt and opened your voice and your creativity to their fullest expression? Do you long to be in community, and to uncover the truths of your own heart? Through song and vocal meditation we’ll drop into presence with our precious selves, entering a sacred space from which we’ll engage in a simple writing exercise to illuminate the hidden beauty within our lives. You may receive answers to questions you’ve long held close, or you may receive a poem or a song, or perhaps a story or a drawing.
We’ll have lots of fun!
We’ll sing songs that bring us together in delicious harmony, uplift us, and set us free!
When we come together to hold each other in creative space, remarkable gifts manifest — your gifts, that are meant to be shared with the world! If this entices you, come! If this scares you, come! Lean in! By the end of our time together, you’ll have created lasting friendships and a work of art!
No prior singing or writing experience required! All voices are welcome! This is a deeply safe and supportive environment.
We meet on Mondays from 7-8:30 p.m., outdoors on the Westside of Santa Cruz.
Get in touch! [email protected]
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I recently came across a journal entry from a time in your circle, and I was in awe of the clarity and wisdom that came through me. I found I had permission to go into deep, almost trance-like states during the writing times. I really like that you do that. — Theresa
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About Voices of the Heart: Saturday Drop-In
A sacred circle of sisterhood and song!
Flowing through this world as women, we consciously and unconsciously caretake all those around us and we resist tending to ourselves. Sisters, join me in stepping out of this unceasing stream of responsibility and into the steady current of your tranquil heart. You will be cared for deeply by our circle and by the intimate presence of your own voice. Together we will dive into the joy and tenderness of self-care through song, vocal meditation, gentle movement, and loving connection. Together we will heal our hearts.
Come sing, laugh, play, and pray together!
We sing and chant in easy to follow call-and-repeat style. No prior singing experience required, all voices are welcome!
We meet for special occasions, including Solstices and Equinoxes, several Saturdays a year, outdoors in Santa Cruz.
Get in touch! [email protected]
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Upcoming Events:
http://laura-sera.eventbrite.com
Next series begins January 2024!
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Click here to join Laura’s mailing list and receive updates about her song circles and more!
Laura’s Music:
I write a variety of songs to share in my circles, from simple chants to multi-part harmonies and layers. Click through to follow me on SoundCloud, where you can find more info about these songs, including lyrics.
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Starting Now is the first song I wrote! A simple and inspiring layer song that came to me in a dream after Song Village.
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With Trust the Dawn, things got a lot more complex! This song can be sung in circle by using only the first three lyric parts.
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Only This Moment is a powerful meditation. You can sing the first melody as a chant, with your own timing, allowing your heart to set the tempo. Or you can keep it in rhythm and add the harmonies.
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Yala Lati Women’s Choir performs Garnet and Gold
Singing With Laura: Testimonials
Laura leading at Heather Houston’s Sisters in Harmony Retreat
Photos of Laura credit: Sharon McCarthy
Natural Bridges photo credit: Scott Davenport