Xenia and Baycrest@Home Launch Songs and Stories Workshops for Caregivers

A headshot of singer-songwriter Avery Florence leaning against a white brick wall and smiling.
Avery Florence, workshop leader

New Workshop Series Begins May 26

At Xenia Concerts, we recognize that there are many people whose life circumstances create barriers to accessing arts and culture experiences. One group that often gets overlooked is caregivers, people who often have to put their own needs aside to care for their loved ones. That’s why we’ve partnered with Baycrest@Home and singer-songwriter Avery Florence to create Exploring Our Stories Through Song. This special series of 8 creative workshops is designed specifically for family caregivers of people living with dementia. The workshops will take place online via Zoom.

Professional singer-songwriter Avery Florence will invite participants to explore self-expression through journaling, mindfulness, and poetry within the context of songwriting. The goal of these workshops is to help participants connect with their creative voices in a supportive social environment.

Combining a sense of play with the connective power of singing, the sessions will culminate in a creative musical project. This program is meant to bring comfort, fun, and a sense of discovery to those participating.

Here’s what Avery says about what makes these workshops meaningful:

“Writing music changed my life indefinitely. Before I discovered songwriting at 21, I didn’t have a clear way of both expressing myself and processing my feelings. Music allows you to tap into an open, vast, part of yourself that maybe can’t be expressed in spoken language. Music is the language of emotion. And as humans, our emotions create how we see and act in the world. 

This workshop will practice tapping into yourself through creativity, within an engaged and safe community group. I have no doubt we will be connecting and creating something special together.”

These free online workshops run every Thursday 2-3:30pm ET from May 26th-July 14th.

Register Here