About Us

Womansong of Asheville, directed since 1994 by Debbie Nordeen and founded in 1986 by Linda Metzner, is a seventy-five member community chorus and village of women. We sing together to nurture and uplift ourselves and our community. We sing together to nurture and uplift ourselves and our community.

Our MISSION is to:

• Sing together for joy and the creation of community.
• Provide a safe, nurturing environment for musical expression and creativity.
• Support local women in need through our New Start Program.
• Perform quality music that elicits joy and affirms social justice and unity.
  

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. We value Womansong as a nurturing village and a high-quality performance group and we cultivate both.

2. We value the power of music and believe that our singing uplifts, inspires, unites, and heals.

3. We value community and believe that care and respect for each other are key ingredients of our work.

4. We value the empowerment of women, and we support women in improving their lives.

5. We value diversity and believe that accepting and respecting individual differences enriches us, our music and our community.

6. We value joy and believe that laughter heals and fosters spiritual connections.

7. We value excellence and believe that each member’s efforts and dedication are essential to Womansong’s success.

8. Love is the heartbeat of our music and our Womansong community.

 
Photo © 2008 Diane Hammar, www.PicturesByDiane.com, used by permission

Womansong is open to all woman who love to sing. Reading music is not required - just sing in tune! We invite you to visit a rehearsal and experience our musical community!

• We are a 75 member chorus of 3 balanced sections with an audition process

• We pay monthly dues 

• We are self-governed by our Wise Woman Council, consisting of a coordinator, our director, and representatives from each of our project teams.  Meetings are open to all members

• Regular attendance at rehearsal for the four months prior to a concert is mandatory in order to perform in the concert. All music must be memorized. Extra rehearsals will usually be called throughout our concert season.

Our singing and community efforts are grounded in the common spirit of women working and singing with each other.  Together we are powerful!

"I had no idea how much fun I would have and how blessed I would be to become a part of such a powerful group of women. Thanks for accepting me and being there."

Our music spans an almost infinite array of themes as we celebrate women's lives - our empowerment, our spirituality, our relationship with the Earth, our healing, and our humor. We proclaim our unity and honor cultural diversity in song. 

"Womansong of Asheville" is incorporated as a non-profit organization.  We invite you to:

• Donate materials or services (it's tax deductible).
• Be a benefactor for a special project.
• Become a "Special Friend" of Womansong with your donation large or small
• Volunteer to help produce a major concert with your funds (as a "Sponsor") or by purchasing Program advertising.
• Volunteer your time to help with publicity, poster placement, lobby/usher team, etc.
• Donate merchandise or services when we have an Auction Fundraising Concert... and then come buy some of our great stuff!
• Donate to Womansong's New Start Program

We look forward to seeing you at our concerts.

Photo © 2008 Diane Hammar, www.PicturesByDiane.com, used by permission

Womansong has many talented instrumental accompanists... We accompany ourselves with piano and our percussion ensemble (hand drums, shakers, claves, frame drums, etc.) We may also use flute, guitar, fiddle, marimba, harmonium, bass, penny whistle, ukelele, clarinet, drumset, banjo, dulcimer, kazoo, or whatever else we have!

Artistic Director: Debbie Nordeen received her Music Education degree from Northern Illinois University. During her career she has directed & performed in professional musical theatre and has been a featured soloist performing in major cities across America and abroad. Debbie is a vocal coach and offers private voice lessons. She began as Director of Womansong in 1994, where she combines her theatrical flair with a compassionate heart and exceptional community building.

"My heart is so full. Love does come in many forms, and one main form is music....you all are the instruments for the soul to express itself, through the magical, divine art of music and song. I feel so fortunate to be in this symphony of life together."- D.N.

Assistant Director: Althea Gonzalez, a native of Miami, joined Womansong in 1999. Althea earned a degree in Romance Languages from the University of Chicago where she also sang in the choir. She has always loved song and the spoken word as artistic expression; she plays piano and enjoys being a member of the creative & caring village of Womansong. Althea is a member of Toastmasters and was honored as an outstanding woman at Asheville's 2007 Women's Expo. She works throughout Asheville as an advocate focusing on issues faced by our African-American and Latino communities.."

www.PicturesByDiane.com, used by permission

Shiner Antiorio, music sign language interpreter