Don't Make Me Voices

Don’t Make Me is a free, non-audition, come as you are singing ensemble where the only
requirement is to be loud and express. This space is for women and queer identifying folks who
miss singing, have a want to move their bodies freely, are driven to use their voices, and most
importantly, who want to join a group where others lift each other up. The original motivation
for creating this group sprung from me recognizing how deeply insecure I am about using my
own voice after not having an outlet do to so following high school. I want those coming to this
group to go beyond feeling empowered; I want you to leave with a sense of power. We each
deserve to sing authentically AND be heard.
The structure of meeting is simple- after introductions and general set up for our activities, a
speaker will turn on. There will be a song that serves as the ‘main’ focus for each meeting, one
that is cathartic to both sing and dance to. First, the group listens to the song LOUDLY, dancing
however feels natural and as chaotically as you wish. After we all catch our breath, then we
move into singing along with the song in a group while it plays half as loudly in the room.
From there, the group itself can shape what our meetings look like. Everyone will get an
opportunity to try and share. Whether this be breaking off into a pair with someone to try out a
harmony on a song you both happen to know, strutting across the floor to a high energy song
you LOVE, singing a karaoke solo with your real voice for the first time altogether, etc. Letting
your voice, dancing, and overall expression speak for you in a safe space, simply because we
can.

Ages 16+

Jane Downey

Hello! I’m Janey, and I really used to love to sing. I still do, but over the years it’s something I’ve
tended to padlock within myself rather than let others in to hear my voice. Frankly, I got
convinced at some point along the way it was silly to love the depth of what music gives me,
the swells of emotion I feel from it, and especially my joy of singing with people. Singing,
dancing, and storytelling through both those mediums are as integral to humanity as breathing.
There’s a real sense of loss when there’s an expectation of us to go through life without the
catharsis and unison of melodies. It’s a loss I’ve talked to others about and know they feel
similarly, so I wanted to take the leap into vulnerability and create something for all of us to
hopefully send this sense of loss and self-consciousness far, far away.
I’m a local relationship and intimacy therapist, but I have to note that I am NOT a music
therapist in any way. This is truly a passion project for me, and as someone who never learned
sight reading (despite all my choir teachers very much trying), doesn’t know how to play any
instruments, and is not fit to train people in singing whatsoever, I knew I needed something
easily accessible to create the impact on others I want to see. My goal? In a world so full of
pain, I want to infect people with joy. Because I believe we are all capable of far more than we
know, and it’s also never been more crucial to make ourselves heard.

LEARN MORE

With Fair Share Pricing, CCAC is eliminating the need for scholarship applications so that everyone has access to the arts and can express themselves. If you are unable to pay the full tuition amount, simply choose one of the provided scholarship levels. If you are in a position to pay more, we encourage you to select the Supporter Level or to make a donation upon checkout. You can find guidance HERE on which tuition level we suggest, but the decision is up to you — we will never ask for additional verification or paperwork

Support for the Fair Shair Pricing program comes from the Gerald H. Fitzgerald Scholarship Fund and contributors like you.