Rediscovering the Spiritual Magic of Group Singing

I didn’t get to capture any footage—our phones were gently but firmly discouraged, a much-needed reminder to put away distractions and fully connect with each other. Though I felt the familiar tug to document the moment for later sharing (a deeply human instinct, I think), I was grateful for the reminder that the real magic often lies in simply being present.

This afternoon, I joined the Gaia Music Collective for a large group choir performance of Wicked’s "Defying Gravity"—my first ensemble experience since my early choir days in New York City. At first, I was overwhelmed by the loud cacophony of the room and almost turned around, but I’m so glad I kept an open mind and stayed. I had forgotten how profoundly moving the experience can be. There’s something almost religiously powerful about being a small part of a much larger instrument. Singing in unison with others feels spiritual in a way that’s hard to put into words—maybe because it’s something that has to be felt to be fully understood.

After warming up, we were invited to try some solo improvisation. The experience was unexpectedly profound. As people around me burst into harmonies and spontaneous melodies, I found myself deeply moved, almost overwhelmed. I had actual goosebumps. It felt as though I could sense the emotions—joy, grief, sadness—of everyone in the room. In that moment, the boundaries between individuals seemed to dissolve. Instead of being separate people, we became one living organism, all plugged into the same vibrational current of shared humanity. Their emotions became my own. All I could do was listen, hold space, and let the sound wash over me. I was so emotional that I kept my eyes closed and my gaze lowered, hoping no one would notice.

For the rest of the session, I felt an incredible sense of compassion and love radiating within me. I was completely connected to everyone around me in a way that felt rare and sacred. I must have had the dumbest grin on my face. I think I finally understand what people mean when they describe the sense of community and transcendence they experience in church.

People joke about music’s ability to heal the world, but I truly believe it could. Group singing, in particular, creates a space for vulnerability, connection, and shared humanity in a way I rarely experience, maybe because music has always been an especially moving medium for me.

I’ll definitely be going back for more improvisational circles—not just to sing, but to listen deeply, to be part of something bigger than myself, and to experience this kind of magic again.