MISSION

Queer Choir Collective cultivates non-gendered, intergenerational and re-humanizing singing spaces for queer, trans + a/gender-expansive humans.

• Our collective includes multiple queer-centered singing spaces (Queer Choir, HomoPhonic and Emergent Song), bringing individuals together through shared musical practice.

• We are not defined by consensus decision-making or non-hierarchical leadership, but by singing as a vehicle for relational connection, mutual respect, and the shared act of creating sound together as a form of belonging.

• Leadership is present, named, and held with care—offering structure, direction, and rhythm to all offerings.

DEFINING "COLLECTIVE" IN OUR CONTEXT

QUEER CHOIR

Queer is a noun AND a verb in the context of our big choir - singing in harmony is our revolution!

Queer Choir Fall Cohort begins on October 7th, 2025 and will run weekly on Tuesdays from 6:30-8:30pm at The Lavender Network through December 16th. Registrations opens September 21st. Join our mailing list to get notified!

1:1 Voice Magic Sessions

SING WITH US

HomoPhonic

Contemporary a cappella for advanced singers.

Meeting 1-2 times a month for 3-6 hour intensives, this ensemble is for singers with a strong musical background who want to dig into challenging 5-8 part a cappella arrangements full of dissonance, polyphony and tight juicy harmonies. Singers MUST learn their music outside of scheduled rehearsal times, coming prepared to dig into tuning, dynamics, stylistic nuances and more. Six month commitment required.

HomoPhonic is currently closed to new members and may re-open auditions in spring of 2026. Interested singers can complete an application and will be notified when the group opens to new members.

Over the course of a three-month arc, singer/improviser/teacher Elias Wolf facilitates an intimately-held group of singers (capped at 18 total) in weekly 2-hour deep dives, exploring the alchemical power of collective vocal improvisation. We’ll play with form and freedom—sometimes marrying improvised movement with voice —sounding from center, from edges, from in-between. Bringing warmth, grace and humor, Elias will lead Vocal River exercises from their mentor, master improvisation teacher Rhiannon (Alive! Bobby McFerrin, Gimme 5). Open to singers of all ages and backgrounds. Some prior harmony singing experience is recommended, and no improvisation experience required!

Queer Choir is an intergenerational community choir for queer, trans and gender-expansive humans, singing into the growing movement for collective liberation. Queer Choir makes space for queers of all backgrounds to reclaim and rejoice in their body as instrument while leaning into the magic of harmony-singing as interdependence. We are practicing queer joy as resistance to tyranny and attunement to voice and body as a commitment to personal healing and responsibility in a time of collapse. There is no audition for Queer Choir, and we do not use SATB voicing. At this time, Queer Choir is open to 2SLGBTQIA+ -identified folks only.

Emergent Song Workshops

Improvised harmony singing.

Fall 10-week arc begins September 10th - register below!

Singing is your birthright. Reclaim it.

elias offers private sessions at their music studio in the Whiteaker neighborhood, next to Anomaly Hair Collective. Whether you've been singing for years already, or are brand new to working with your voice, elias creates loving and patient space for you to navigate all the vulnerability, joy, and release that comes with singing.

"Queer like, escaping definition. Queer like some sort of fluidity and limitlessness at once...like a freedom too strange to be conquered...like the fearlessness to imagine what love can look like, and pursue it." - Brandon Wint

Elias Wolf, Artistic Director / Founder

Elias Wolf (they/them - formerly Lisa Forkish) is a singer/songwriter, artivist, educator, abolitionist, community-builder, a cappella geek, and veteran choir director. Elias has deep roots in Eugene, and recently moved back to these unceded Kalapuya lands from Oakland, CA (Ohlone land) where they spent 10 years as vocal music faculty at Oakland School for the Arts.

Elias is committed to decolonizing the western settler capitalist concept of singing as an exclusive activity only for some, and not the universal truth that it is; a sacred birthright for all. They aim to breathe humanity into the spaces they hold, with vulnerability and compassion. Elias is actively working to heal the wounds of music elitism and not-enoughness through an embodied, trauma-informed and heartful approach. For them, love is paramount, and closeness is the antidote to white supremacist delusion, cisheteropatriarchy and cultural disconnection. Elias believes in singing as a liberatory practice and invites you to join them in using voice and song to create a more just and loving world.

You can learn more about elias and their work at eliaswolfmusic.com.

“Let me chant my heartʻs wishes for the world and harmonize with others who are courageous enough to make music with their voices." - Pixie Lighthorse

FAQs

Can I join Queer Choir if I don't have prior formal singing experience? Yes! All are welcome. Our 10-week choir cohorts move at a slightly quicker pace than a traditional song circle, but perhaps more spacious and varied in HOW we sing together than you would experience in a traditional western choir. Our rehearsals will include a combination of learning simple songs by ear, learning a more complex arrangement with sheet music, and improvising our own music. There will ALWAYS be practice tracks for the sheet music pieces, so those who exclusively learn by ear can access all QCC offerings.

Will I have to sing by myself in front of others? Not required, however there will be various opportunities to share your solo voice with others if you desire.

What covid safety measures are in place? We will make room for airflow and use air filters as needed. Masks are optional, but may absolutely be worn as needed/desired. We take care of each other, so if you are feeling unwell, or know you've had exposure to COVID or other serious illness, please stay home.

What about other accessibility needs? All of our in-person singing spaces include these accessibility features:

• on public-transit / easy nearby street parking

• wheelchair-accessible entrances

• gender neutral bathrooms

• various seating options for different body types (multiple kinds of chairs, floor seating options, benches, couches, etc.)

What can I expect from the choir cohorts? Our weekly structure is roughly outlined below. We also do a community potluck in lieu of rehearsal on one of the Tuesday evenings!

• opening arrival and mindfulness practice

• vocal warm-ups

• learning short, accessible songs with repeated parts

• work on a piece of music with sheet music

• circle songs / freeing the voice

• closing practice

Can I join a cohort if I'm unable to attend all dates? Yes, you can still join us, but payment is required for the full session, and singers are encouraged to attend as many of the rehearsals as possible, in the spirit of building a cohesive, connected choir for the duration. Our very first rehearsal of each choir is MANDATORY.

Can I sing with QCC if I'm not queer-identified? No, at this time our singing spaces are only open to those who identify within the 2SLGBTQIA+ umbrella.

“Being in QCC reminded me that my voice (and by extension me) has its special strengths and deserves to be heard along with others in harmony, or dissonance as it may be. Thank you for that!" - Dan (Eugene, OR)

"Elias' beautiful facilitation of singing circles is nothing short of musical alchemy- they create spaces that are warm, safe, welcoming, and courageous, melding music and message in deep, meaningful ways." - Angela (Oakland, CA)

“"Queer choir with Elias has been such an incredible experience! The safety and playfulness they create allows me to open my voice and open my heart. Singing with them and this rad group of queer folks lifts me up every week." - Ira (Eugene, OR)

TESTIMONIALS

REACH FOR US

For inquiries, collaborations, or any questions you may have, please send us an email: queerchoir@eliaswolfmusic.com