SongRoots Summer Camp - July 7th-11th, 2025!
Join our incredible line-up of instructors for 5 musical and magical days in July!
Registration opens Sunday Jan 12th at 10:00 am PST
Registration for SongRoots 2024 will begin Sunday January 12th, 2024. We are so excited to be hosting SongRoots for our 12th YEAR!!
This year there will be an optional weekend add on!
SongRoots is dedicated to creating a safe, supportive and inclusive community. We welcome people of all ages, genders, races, sexual orientation, gender identities, differing abilities, cultural backgrounds and spiritual beliefs to find joy in singing and being together. We celebrate diversity and deeply believe that we are stronger together.
Cost for SongRoots this year will be $1000 + $100 Registration Fee + GST
Cost includes everything - full tuition, accommodations, all meals and water taxi.
Read below to learn about the Camp 1 Instructors!!
Instructors 2024
Brian Tate
Cara Luft
Juno award winning singer-songwriter-musician Cara Luft is that rare artist steeped in folk and traditional roots music almost from birth, yet willing to alter the fabric, stretch the boundaries and fearlessly bend genres and styles. A founding member of Canadian folk super-group The Wailin' Jennys and the brainchild behind Winnipeg's acclaimed powerhouse duo The Small Glories, Luft deserves her solid reputation as one of Canada’s finest live performers, armed with amazing tenacity, vision, energy and a contagious hilarity. To quote the roots magazine No Depression, “Luft has a rich tradition in folk music – it’s safe to assume that she knows her stuff – and upon listening it becomes quite clear that she is indeed a formidable songwriter and performer... [The] lovely Ms. Luft sets the bar for the talented few who’ll follow in her footsteps.”
Cara has a spirit that drives her to connect with people, and for this she is loved everywhere she goes. Reviewers of her live shows talk about her compelling vocals, superb musicianship, humorous anecdotes, accomplished songwriting, ability to switch between styles and the charm of her stage presence. Cara’s the real deal, there’s nothing pretentious about her. And that sense of honesty, integrity, personality and spontaneity permeates both her music and her live shows. “Long may she reign!” (Lonesome Highway)
David Hatfield
David has taught improvisational a cappella across Canada and internationally since 1997 and was the conductor of the improvisational choir House of Song.
His musical experience ranges from street performance to off-Broadway, from fully choreographed to fully improvised.
His work as a leadership consultant and facilitator focused on expression, communication, group dynamics, and conflict facilitation.
Hannah Levy
Hannah has been singing since childhood and performing professionally in choirs, bands, and studios since 2013. Trained in jazz and marinated in funk, RnB and a range of traditional styles, she has a wide lens for approaching each unique musician that enters her studio. In studying and collaborating with singers across vast genres and geographies from Gospel in Kentucky to yodeling in Tbilisi to ad-libbing in Oakland, she has developed a keen ear and a deep belief in the connective power of song.
She is a graduate of the California Jazz Conservatory (Jazz Vocal Performance, 2019) and appears on blues legend Fantastic Negrito’s Grammy Award winning 2018 record, “Please Don’t Be Dead,” as well as “White Jesus Black Problems” (2022) and is featured heavily on “Grandfather Courage” (2023). Hannah was a longtime member of Kitka Women’s Vocal Ensemble. In addition to touring extensively with Northern Harmony (2013, 2016, 2020) she taught at Village Harmony’s Oregon Adult Residential camp in 2022. Hannah plays bass and sings in dream pop band Little Arcs and vocal group, Stone Fruit Trio.
Jennifer Scott
Jennifer Scott is a singer and pianist born in Vancouver, BC, Canada. She specializes in jazz, blues, and world music.
She is considered one of the more important jazz artists working in Canada and the United States today.
As well as being a performer, she arranges and writes jazz and pop tunes, with several CDs containing a combination of original tunes, tunes she has arranged, and more traditional tunes.
She has also appeared on many CBC recordings and has worked with many other musicians both live and in studio.
Kaitlin Foley
Kaitlin Foley, soprano, has “emerged as one of the truly great musicians of this city” (Vocal Arts Chicago). With her “vocal gleam and fiery dramatic involvement” (Chicago Classical Review) and her “absolute technical security” (John von Rhein), Ms. Foley is a versatile performer with an ear for early and new music. She has sung with the Haymarket Opera Company, Grant Park Chorus, Third Coast Baroque, Ensemble Dal Niente, and is a founding member of the genre-bending vocal theater ensemble Artemisia. Foley recently debuted as a soloist with the Grant Park Chorus and Orchestra on Schubert’s Mass in G.
Through various cultural exchange programs including Village Harmony and SongRoots, she has studied non-Western vocal traditions in Corsica, Republic of Georgia, Cuba, and Appalachia. She achieved her M.M. in Voice Performance from DePaul University and completed her undergraduate work in music education at the University of Missouri. Ms. Foley equally enjoys teaching and performing, and directs various choirs and teaches voice at People’s Music School, Merit School of Music, The Musical Offering, Women of Note, Evanston Township High School, and Niles West High School.
Karla Mundy
Karla Mundy is a vibrant, soulful and diverse vocalist, pianist, arranger and choir leader. Karla directs Rhythm ‘n’ Roots and the City Soul Choir in Vancouver and the Island Soul Choir on Vancouver Island.
Karla leads harmony singing workshops throughout BC and organizes many singing camps, workshops and singing study trips abroad. Karla is a founding member of the No Sh!t Shirleys, TriVo, Cleia, Plough, Tanglewood Trio and Big Whoop! Karla is passionate about teaching harmony singing, getting the music off the page and digging deep into new musical territory.
Michael is one of Canada's most sought-after musicians, both onstage and in the recording studio. He is a Grammy-nominated producer and has vast experience as a keyboardist in pop, r&b, jazz and choral music.
He has performed and recorded with kd lang, Raffi, David Foster, Andrea Bocelli, Joan Rivers, Patti Labelle, and The Irish Rovers among many others. Performance highlights include Saturday Night Live, the Grammy Awards, Austin City Limits and six appearances on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson.
Michael is especially fond of accompanying and coaching singers, and is the regular accompanist with Vancouver’s City Soul Choir and the Cypress Singers.
Nicholas Williams
Sarina Partridge
Sarina Partridge is a musician, song-leader, educator and activist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She feels most alive when learning, creating and sharing songs -- especially songs that grow out of time spent in wild places.
Sarina sings with a wide variety of music projects: community song-leading; harmony-rich original music with folk trio Heartwood; performing and teaching of Eastern European and Yiddish song - her own musical lineage; and harmony music from around the world, which she has learned from tradition bearers and master singers.
Sarina has a passion for connecting people with their own creativity and with community, and uses harmony singing as a modality to help folks develop a sense of wonder and belonging in this wild world around us.
Admin and SongRoots Team Extraordinaire!
Ali Romanow
Ali Romanow is a non-binary music educator located in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island in Canada. Music has been part of their life since childhood, it has taken them over the world as both a performer and an educator. It is how they connect with others and has been a constant companion supporting them through life's ups and downs.
Ali’s main mission as a musical educator is to help build diverse, supportive and safe musical communities for people of all ages and levels of experience. We all deserve to play music together, regardless of your level of experience or skill. Together we will build the skills and confidence necessary to feel comfortable and confident making music with others.
Wendy Knudson
Wendy is passionate about all aspects of music – organizing workshops, teaching, collaborating, and playing. From her living room to being onstage to time in the studio, Wendy sings, plays guitar, accordion, upright bass, ukulele and fiddle. She plays a broad variety of genres, ranging from Celtic, folk, gypsy jazz, Brazilian choro, to French café music, and western swing. Wendy has the great pleasure of teaching accordion, guitar, ukulele and fiddle to kids of all ages in Courtenay, BC.
Erinn Doncaster
Counsellor by day and harmony nerd by, well, also by day, Erinn has been singing harmonies for as long as they can remember.
When they’re not being a trauma therapist or belting out a third harmony along with whatever folk duo is playing on the radio, Erinn co-directs Fieramente (a choir for the 2SLBGTQIA+ community in the Comox Valley), sings back-up vocals, and teaches workshops on music and mental wellness.
Wendy Knudson, Ali & Bob Romanow help out with many aspects of SongRoots. One of their important roles is that of 'Float Crew'! These three people help get us all on and off of Gambier Island
Karla Mundy started SongRoots in July 2014 and is beyond thrilled at how this dream has taken root and is growing. After going to (and loving) many music camps and workshops, Karla thought it would be wonderful to have an all vocal camp in Western Canada. At most of the camps that Karla went to, there would be large overflowing and happy singing classes and she could imagine that a whole camp dedicated to singing would be wonderful. SongRoots is a chance to dig deeper, expand repertoire and styles and focus solely on the voice with others who love to sing in an intensive setting on a beautiful island away from our busy daily lives! Karla loves the sense of community that has emerged from SongRoots and is delighted by the musical and personal growth that happens every year during (and beyond) these 5 magical days!
July 7-11 2025 Classes
CLASS ONE
Songs that Build Community w/ Sarina Partridge (no limit)
In this class we will learn harmony songs that build community: for choirs, community groups, protests, around the table, at the park... songs that get any group singing in harmony together before you know it!
Sarina writes and teaches simple, satisfying songs touching on big themes like the cycles of the seasons, showing up for each other and ourselves and the planet, how to embody and use our powerful voices.
All songs will be taught by ear and all voices are welcome!
La Joie De Vivre! Traditional Songs from Quebec w/ Nicholas Williams (no limit)
Jazz Masterclass w/ Hannah Levy and Michael Creber (max 8 singers)
The Great American Songbook is the foundation of every jazz singer’s repertoire. Deceptively simple at times and wildly complex at others, dated yet timeless, the canon of jazz standards can be a tricky bunch, and has been sung thousands of times. So, how to give a fresh and honest rendering of these well-loved pieces? This class will be a laboratory for developing your own sound as an interpreter, to try out different tempos and feels, and hone in on a delivery that is totally true to YOU. Please come prepared with two jazz standards with the words and tune memorized. If you know your key, awesome, but if not, we will find it together!
Instructor Hannah Levy’s playful, honest, and wide-lensed approach brings a fresh energy to the exploration of jazz standards. She teaches privately at her home studio in Nashville, TN and globally via Zoom. Hannah has had the great fortune of studying under Sheila Jordan, Laurie Antonioli, Theo Bleckman, Sandy Cressman, Ms. Janice Ried, Tammy Hall, Maye Cavallaro, Marcos Silva, Dan Zinn, and Mitch Chakour.
Early Music for Everyone w/ Kaitlin Foley (no limit)
Come learn some Renaissance-era choral music in an inviting environment!
Focusing on music for 3-5 voices, we will sing the soaring lines and intricate rhythms of Byrd, Guerrero, Palestrina, Di Lasso, and contemporaries.
Get a brain workout from polyphony and madrigals alike and make some sweet harmonies!
Songwriting w/ Cara Luft (max 15 singers)
We'll spend time in group discussion while we listen to examples, tackle questions and use collaborative songwriting exercises. We'll talk about the line between the personal and universal, and the value in editing and exploring different avenues. Bring paper, your voice, instrument of choice and an open heart.
CLASS TWO
Swing and Latin Duets w/ Jennifer Scott (no limit)
We will learn some two-part arrangements in the lilting style of Swing and sweet Latin/Brazilian.
There may be a couple of cheeky tunes plus some minor choreography!
All are welcome - no need to come with a duet partner!
World Music Grab Bag w/ Sarina Partridge and Hannah Levy
(no limit)
For this workshop, longtime friends and folk music-lovers Sarina Partridge and Hannah Levy are joining forces to bring you a smattering of their favorite songs from a range of lush harmony-singing styles!
The musical menu could draw from such places as South Africa, Corsica, Caucasus Georgia, Appalachia, Bulgaria, Croatia…
The only way to know for sure is to join us!
School of Rock for Folkies w/ Cara Luft (no limit)
This class is all about experiencing immense musical joy as a group while "folkin' up" classic pop/rock songs in 2 & 3 part harmony. Come prepared to sing your heart out, laugh and have loads of fun, all while rocking out folk-style! Some of the “tools” we'll explore include: learning and arranging a song as a group, dynamics within a song, blending instruments, listening to each other, knowing when to sing/play simply and when to step it up, how to play in support of the vocalist or soloist, and how to get out of the way and let the song speak.
We will also explore tasteful fills, singing in harmony, and performance techniques. With voices and instruments working together, we'll bring these songs to life!
Your Voice, Your Song - A Singer's Masterclass w/ Brian Tate & Michael Creber (max 8 singers)
Discover your authentic voice through working with a song of your choice in a playful and safe environment. Expand your confidence, connect with your audience, and experience the many ways of expressing yourself through song.
You’ll receive one-on-one coaching as well as the invaluable experience of learning from each other. Each session brings new and exciting ways of exploring your voice and your song.
Singers of all levels and songs of all styles are welcome! You must bring a song that you are ready to perform (memorized words and music); also, bring the piano music (sheet music or lead sheet)
The Singing Soul: Improvisational A Cappella w/ David Hatfield (limit 16 singers)
The Singing Soul holds two main focuses. One being musical skill building in rhythm, melody and harmony, for effective, collaborative vocal improvisation. The other focus would be the inner skills of the improvisor: trusting intuition, deep listening, working with not knowing, fluid leadership and followership.
We will use physical movement, structured exercises inviting focus on certain areas (harmonizing, vocal percussion, refreshing the energy of a song, soloing, and free improvisation etc) as we explore work in duets, trios, small groups and in full group.
CLASS THREE
Broadway, Baby! w/ Kaitlin Foley (no limit)
Ever wanted to try your hand at musical theater but never had the right opportunity?
Join us for this scenes class and brave the limelight in a supportive and caring environment. You’ll learn duets, trios, and short scenes from Broadway favorites like Fiddler on the Roof, Little Shop of Horrors, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Kiss Me Kate, and more.
Embrace your inner ham!
Groove Train w/ David Hatfield (max 16 singers)
Explore building interlocking rhythms as an ensemble into mesmerizing, dynamic percussion songs!
Strengthen your ability to hold rhythm parts, and explore new terrain with your voice.
We'll use our ears, voices and bodies to absorb African and Indian rhythms as well as creating our own. Let's jam!!
The Evolving Vocalist w/ Jennifer Scott (no limit)
Using advanced vocal and breathing techniques, get your vocal skills to the next level.
We will use alternative vocal approaches (overtones, circular breathing, etc…), improvisation & interesting and challenging repertoire (plus a few surprises) to add to our ever-expanding understanding of the voice!
Voices in Motion :Traditional dancing songs from France, Lithuania, and Occitania
(no limit)
Delicious Duets w/ Wendy Knudson and Karla Mundy (no limit)
Duets - dynamic, flexible, intimate and joyous! We will explore how to meld our voices with another singer, how to sing in a way that is responsive, attentive and playful. We will learn the songs as a group and then have plenty of chances to try the songs in various pairings or small groups.
For people used to singing in choir or singing solo, duet singing bring an entirely different challenge of listening and connecting plus a whole new level of fun! Repertoire will be in English and based on folky/traditional styles.
Beatlemania w/ Brian Tate (no limit)
Join the Songroots vocal ensemble as we “Let It Be” known that “All You Need is Love”!
Easy to learn and sing arrangements will send you “Across the Universe”: Here Comes the Sun!
Monday July 7th-Friday July 11th 2025
Monday July 7th - Water taxis will begin taking people from Horseshoe Bay to Gambier Island at 10:30 am. Please arrive at 9:30 am for registration and to have your bag tagged and loaded.
Friday July 11th - Water taxis will begin leaving Gambier Island at 1:00 pm. The last water taxi will likely leave around 2:30. You can safely plan to be back at Horseshoe Bay between 2:00 and 3:00.
Here is a full view LAST YEAR's SCHEDULE! This year's schedule will be very similar but will come out soon!
Accommodations
SongRoots – Summer Camp Accommodations
There are various options for accommodations at Camp Fircom.
1. Tenting! You have the option of bringing your own tent 
and setting up your home for the week in some of the gorgeous camp sites at Camp Fircom.
There are communal washrooms for tenters and cabin sleepers.
(Tenters get a $20 discount)
2. Canvas Tents - Camp Fircom provides 6 large Canvas tents. These can be shared by 3-4 people and mattresses are provided - all you need to bring is your own sleeping bag and pillow.
This option is available at no extra cost if there are 3-4 people in one.
3. Cabin/Bunkhouse 1-4 – will sleep up to 8 in a room - everyone will get a lower bunk and can keep their gear on the top bunk. There are shared communal bathrooms and everyone brings their own bedding. There are electrical outlets in the cabins.
This option is available at no extra cost. These Cabins are the newer ones that were built in the last few years.
4. Craigcroft – there is a choice of shared or single rooms (limited) in Craigcroft. Craigcroft is a 2 storey dorm-style residence with 12 rooms and a large common room. We will have 8 double rooms and 4 single rooms. There are two bathrooms with additional washrooms located in the dining hall which is right next door.
You can bring your own bedding or you can pay an extra $35 to have it supplied for you.
There is an additional cost to stay in Craigcroft of $160 for a double room and $320 for a single room.
5. Farmhouse - this is the most luxurious accommodation available! There are two bedrooms (each with a queen sized bed), a fully equipped kitchen, a large patio (with a view of the water) and a beautiful living room. All linens are provided.
There is an additional cost of $500 per room at the Farmhouse.
FOOD at Fircom!
Fircom focuses on healthy, delicious homemade meals to ensure that you are satisfied and feeling great during your time at camp. Our chef and farmer work together to grow beautiful, abundant harvests in our 1.5 acres organic garden. Much of the produce from the Farm ends up in beautiful meals or in the delicious and colorful salad bar served at each lunch and dinner.
Camp Fircom is endeavouring to be as sustainable as possible and tread lightly on the earth. One of the ways they are doing this is by trying to cut back on food waste. The main thought is 'take what you need, and eat what you take' - there is going to be plenty of food for second helpings so please don't be shy if you didn't get enough food the first time. 2nd helpings are available!
Everyone arrive at Horseshoe Bay around 9:30 am to register on Monday July 8th. For those people coming from Vancouver Island, you can take the 8:30 am boat and come straight over to register., We will be going over in many different water taxis - we can only load one at a time, so it does take a while to get the whole group over there. Be patient and it should all run smoothly - enjoy the beautiful ride!
You will be registered by Ali Romanow, Wendy Knudson and Bob Romanow. They have a wonderful system to get you all sorted, loaded on the boat and sent over. You must check in with them first before heading down to the dock!!
We have to make special arrangements for the water taxis on Monday morning and those costs are included in your ticket. If you miss the water taxi, you will be responsible for getting yourself to the island (through Cormorant Marine Water Taxi) and will have to cover that cost. Some people have been asking about special water taxi departure times - I am unable to organize anything extra outside of our scheduled times.
Where to meet? Where to park?
Meet at the park in Horseshoe Bay right on the water. There you will receive your welcome package and be organized into different water taxis. The Water Taxi Loading area is at the end of the Government Dock in Horseshoe Bay, which is to the East of the new condos. Please do not go to the Water Taxi office, as they are not responsible for the check-in of our campers.
Parking! - there are various lots at Horseshoe Bay. I would suggest carpooling. The lots closest to the terminal cost about $20/day. There is a cheaper lot up the hill. http://www.tiddlycovelions.com/?page_id=11 The best option is getting dropped off if possible!
LIONS OVERFLOW PARKING Located at 6318 Marine drive, West Vancouver Across from the 2nd hole of Geneagles Golf Club, just south of Geneagles Elementary School
**We will be arriving and leaving at low tide which means that the ramp to get to the boat is kind of steep! The trip to and from Fircom is a little arduous. It does include carrying your luggage, walking up and down steep loading ramps and then walking up a hill on Gambier up to Camp Fircom. There is a truck that will take our luggage and could drive people with mobility problems. We will have designated helpers and lifters are all there to help each other.
3. Leaving on Friday
The boats start leaving Fircom at 1:30 on Friday. We can only load one water taxi at a time so I am unable to tell anyone exactly when they will get back to HSB. It could be as early at 2:15 or you could be on the last water taxi and not get back until about 3:30 or so.
See below for important info and helpful tips!
1) How do the canvas tents (sibleys) work? Canvas Tents can accommodate 3-4 people– Fircom provides mattresses and you bring your own sleeping bag and pillow. Think sleep over/slumber party! You will be close and cozy. If you have a group of 3-4 people, there would be no extra cost.
2) How can I pay in instalments? How much is camp?
Camp costs $1000 + $100 Registration + GST. There are several accommodation upgrades that cost extra. You can pay in instalments - just get in touch with Karla to sort out a schedule.
3) I'm really new to singing and nervous about coming.. what classes are best suited for beginners/less experienced singers?
Songs that Build Community, La Joie De Vivre, Songwriting, School of Rock, Beatlemania, Voices in Motion.
4) Are there any Bed & Breakfasts available near Fircom?
No, Fircom is on the south eastern corner of Gambier and there is no road access to New Brighton or most of the rest of the island. There are no accommodation rentals in the near vicinity.
5) Can I bring my own boat to Fircom?
You can, but there is no mooring on the government dock. You can anchor in Fircom Bay or Halkett Bay, however you will have to bring a dinghy and paddle in.
6) Where can I tent?
There are several lovely tenting areas in the forest and in more open areas.
7) Can I come for part of the camp?
This event is all or nothing. We will have additional boats in emergency circumstances but otherwise we expect participants to stay for the duration of the program.
8) Can I bring my dog?
Unless you have an assistance/service animal, animals are not permitted.
9) Is the accommodation wheelchair accessible?
Please contact Karla for more information on the accessibility of the site and facilities. There are many gravel roads and a fair bit of walking between class - Karla could try to accommodate accessibility as much as possible with accommodation choice and class location.
10) I own a cabin on Gambier. Can I just come for the days?
Yes that would be fine. Contact Karla and we would sort out your cost for the camp.
11) I’d like to bring my baby, is that ok?
That could be possible and it might be a little tricky. We could try to sort out an accommodation that would work for you. Please contact Karla and talk through what the days are like and how you could try to make it work for you and your baby.
12) I’d like to bring my 8 year old, is that ok?
At the moment, this camp is geared towards adults and we don’t currently have it set up to work for kids as well (we are working on that for the future)
13) I’d like to know more about what emergency services are available on Gambier. Can you tell me about that?
Fircom is an isolated site however emergency services can be dispatched to site. In case of an emergency medical situation, the patient will be evacuated either by boat or by helicopter.
14) This year seems more expensive than last year. Why is that?
Costs for absolutely everything involved with camp have gone up. In addition to that, we also need to operate camp with reduced capacity this year because of Covid. As a result, we have had to slightly increase costs.
15) Finances are tight. Is there any way I can barter my fee?
There could be some limited possibilities of helping out with camp and reducing some of the fee. Please contact Karla if you have some ideas. There are some bursary funds available!