The Sing Easy in Chelsea, NYC: Jess McAvoy's Drop-In Singing Session, No Experience Needed

The Sing Easy is a group singing practice created and led by voice educator and artist Jess McAvoy. Its premise is that ease matters more than sounding good. No experience is needed, no one has to read music, and there is no performance at the end. Nervous beginners and seasoned singers are both welcome.

Each session combines breathwork, somatic movement, toning (humming and sustained sound) and group singing in both harmony and dissonance. The aim is to use the voice to calm the nervous system, release tension and reconnect with the body. Along the way, participants notice where they hold back, overwork or disappear, and try something different while surrounded by the sound of the room.

The songs are short choruses called "spells," simple enough to learn in moments. As voices meet, clash and settle into harmony, the room becomes an exercise in listening, connection and letting go.

Sessions run 75 minutes. The next is Thursday, Nov. 5, at Sprout Society, 150 W. 28th St., Suite 303, in Chelsea. Further Chelsea dates follow on Nov. 12, Nov. 19, Dec. 3 and Dec. 17, plus a Tuesday, Dec. 8 session in Bushwick. The Nov. 12 date is a collaboration with Yes For Wellness, pairing voice and body work. Spots are reserved session by session through Eventbrite.

Because it is drop-in, you can attend a single evening or return as often as you like. It suits anyone who wants to use their voice and unwind after a workday, without the pressure of an audition or a choir commitment.