Facilitation
Facilitation Approaches
Soul Village is a “Gathering”
Facilitators and participants work together to create the culture and atmosphere of Soul Village. The gathering is a chance to co-create our experience together in a shared vision of healthy community. Each afternoon there is an opportunity for participants to lead their own events. We invite you to learn from others and share what you you know.
To counter the cultural patterns of hierarchy and dominance, Soul Village supports a balanced respect for both leadership and participation. We are not about hype and hyperbole. We recognize that all our experiences are co-created, and that we are all both leaders and followers.
Healing the Sense of Separation
Soul Village strives to be egalitarian and inclusive. We gather, based on shared values, and we welcome and embrace people of all races, ethnicities, genders, sexualities, and other identities. We welcome people to speak their personal experience and personal needs.
We understand that trauma, including trauma from racism, gender oppressions, and other social injustices, may result in challenges to authentic connection. We strive to respond these challenges with empathy and respect for the uniqueness of each person’s experience.
Welcoming Cross-Cultural Inspiration
We believe that demographic identities do not determine who you are in your soul, or what art inspires you. We recognize that cross-cultural sharing can be a source of pain for people when it is done without respect, or an understanding of the artistic sources and/or their associated oppression. We believe that supporting cross-cultural expression, however, is a vital part of creating a more unified, connected world culture.
Thus, Soul Village welcomes cross-cultural sharing and welcomes the understanding and empathy that can emerge whenever such sharing triggers the trauma of racial and ethnic separation and oppression.
Debbie Nargi-Brown
Dance Teacher & Songleader
Debbie Nargi-Brown (Santa Cruz) relies upon drumming, dancing, singing, and the creation of a safe place to ignite joy, passion, and a sense of community in her workshops. She embraces and embodies the healing and sacredness of the songs and dances. She writes songs for the heart, for healing, for transformation, for love, for grief, all those things that connect us as human beings. Website.
Jo Cobbett
Dance Facilitator
Jo Cobbett is a master of poetic suggestion, facilitating each dancer’s ability to open and express their fullness in their bodies and in their connection with one another. Trained in Gabrielle Roth’s 5 Rythms work, Jo has expanded her capacity to inspire whole groups on a dance floor to realize the sense of wonder and oneness we only rarely touch. Jo is based in Los Angeles, but travels the world to offer workshops and classes. Website.
Musicians, Singers, Songwriters
Justin Ancheta and Maren Metke have musical nectar flowing through their veins. The dynamic Grass Valley duo is the driving force behind a project that is even sweeter than it sounds. Honey of the Heart is an ambrosial mix of musical interpretations influenced by folk, soul, roots, and world/flamenco styles. Built upon a repertoire of uplifting original material, they join together, or with other phenomenal musicians to create in an organic state of symbiosis. Many of their songs come forth like ancient incantations, casting angelic spells on all in their path. Honey of the Heart weaves soaring harmonies and hypnotic polyrhythms into an alchemical semblance of groove intended for dancing, rejoicing, and blissful recalibration.Justin and Maren formed the group, Honey of the Heart, to inspire and connect people with their voices, melodies, and world rhythms. Website
Denise Martini
Movement Facilitator
Denise Martini has been involved in the Healing Arts since 1989. Her passion is the Art of Being Alive and assisting others on their journey towards knowing their wholeness through movement, presence, embodiment, and spiritual practices. Denise is a Certified Hakomi Practitioner, Minister of SomaSense; a
Mindful Body Ministry of AIWP, and group facilitator of ceremonies and workshops. She is dedicated to her own personal and spiritual growth and brings the gift of deep, compassionate presence to everything she does. Website.
Brian Judd
Songleader
Brain Judd has been leading sing-alongs around the campfire and with groups for years. Four decades of music have given him a deep reservoir of songs that he can strum, feed the words, and bring people together through song. He sings folk, rock, Americana and pop songs of our present and past that stir memories and good feelings.
Saffire Bouchelion
Saffire Bouchelion is an Embodyologist, a deeply devoted Rhythmatist, and a Music/Movement Alchemist who sources the love, joy and healing of Spirit into all that he does. Be it classes, workshops, or performances, Saffire’s commitment to service is clear and inspiring. As a First Degree Black Belt, he has taught Nia, and his Dance into Being Workshops, in over 17 countries. As a professional percussionist he has performed on over 47 recording projects and had bands open for numerous International acts. Saffire holds weekly Drumming sessions, for both groups and for private students. His Children’s book, The Groove Goblin, truly encapsulates Saffire’s life philosophy, and it is this philosophy that he brings into his work as a music therapist for Hospice clients near transition. Website.
Kay Bachman
Movement Facilitator
Tending the Now | coming home to here
A gentle, co-created movement practice that invites you into deep inner listening, embodied presence, and connection — with yourself, the earth, and each other.
As we slow down and listen deeply, we reweave into a cohesive field where healing, inspiration, and transformation can unfold.
Come as you are. Move as you are called.
Together, we tend the here. Website.
Tim Hartnett
Co-founder of Song and Soul Villages
Tim is a community builder, songwriter, performer, and co-creator of Soul Village and Song Village. A licensed therapist, Tim is the director of Shine a Light Counseling Center, and author of Consensus-Oriented Decision-Making. Tim weaves song, humor, dance, vulnerability and emotional attunement in a unique facilitation style to foster open-hearted connection. Website.