We are building a network of singalong leaders. We provide training and resources, including access to our official Songs & Smiles singalong leader videos. Our library includes more than 500 songs, and we add more on a regular basis. For each song, we provide two versions. The first is without vocals. The second includes me singing the song. This second version may be used for learning new songs and, if desired, may also be used during presentations.

Requirements: Must be kind and caring. Must like music. Must want to bring joy and connection to others. Must be interested in leading at least one singalong per month.

Recommended: Be able to sing. Be a little techy (i.e. able to download files, able to connect a device to a TV).

Equipment: Depends on the size of your audience. For one-on-one sharing, you could just use a phone or a tablet. For larger audiences, you will need a device and a way to connect to a TV (typically using an HDMI adapter and an HDMI cable, but could be a DVD player). You will probably also want a portable speaker and a microphone. We can walk you through exactly what you’ll need.

Sample Test Video: Some of our videos are available for purchase and download (for unlimited use) at: https://joyfulmemories.shop/collections/singalong-videos. You may get a free sample by ordering “Ain’t We Got Fun?” using “Smile247” as the discount code.

Songs & Smiles singalong leaders are typically volunteers. Some lead only 1 or 2 shows per month. Others volunteers lead as many as 7 or 8 shows each month. Other people may be able to spend time leading singalongs at assisted living and memory care homes, if they can make a little money while doing that. If that sounds like you, we might hire you. We would handle invoicing, and we would pay you a portion of the revenue generated by your singalongs. (We handle that on a case-by-case basis.)

Steps to becoming a Songs & Smiles singalong leader:

Contact us. Use the form below.

We will correspond via email. We may also want to talk on the phone or via Zoom.

You sign our Songs & Smiles Singalong Leader Agreement. You’ll commit to representing our values. You’ll also promise not to sell or share our singalong videos.

You pay a one-time fee of $75. Most of our singalong leaders serve as volunteers. In this case, there are no additional fees. If you wish to present paid shows, we will invoice entities directly. When an invoice is paid, we will subtract $25 and then pay the balance to you as an independent contractor.

We run a background check. We conduct basic background checks on our official Singalong Leaders as they may represent Songs & Smiles in the community or at a care home. Singalong Leaders are subject to four background checks: multi-state criminal search, global terrorist search, sex offender registry search, and an identity search (known aliases, 10-15 year address history, and social security verification). An applicant must pass all four background checks before moving onto the next step to become an official Songs & Smiles Singalong Leader. If an applicant passes all four background checks, they will move along in the process. If an applicant does not pass one or more of the checks, they will be notified by Songs & Smiles staff. In some cases, additional information may be required from the applicant. If the applicant refuses to provide any additional information, their application will be rejected. Criminal records do not automatically disqualify candidates from volunteering. However, certain convictions are generally disqualifying offenses: violent crimes, weapon offenses, and theft charges including identity theft, elder abuse, or fraud.

We give you access to our singalong videos. We use Google Drive to share files. For some of our singalong leaders, we instead provide DVDs.

We send you a Songs & Smiles T-Shirt. We will also send you some info cards and a copy of Joyful Memories magazine. 

We make sure you have the equipment you need. Our singalong leaders typically provide their own equipment, but we may be able to help in some cases. If you are leading just one or two shows per month, you might find that the venue has equipment you can use. Otherwise, you’ll need your own.

For a microphone and speaker, think about the size of your audience. If you are singing at a memory care home, your audience will typically be smaller, so you may use a smaller speaker. Even a karaoke machine might work.

To get lyrics on a screen, you will probably plug into an HDMI port on a TV. We recommend using an iPad with an HDMI adapter. Look for an iPad with a Lightning adapter and at least 32GB of storage. (The more memory you have, the more videos you can store.) You’ll also need a Lightning to HDMI adapter. (Other devices, such as phones or laptops may also be used with appropriate adapters.) Alternatively, we can provide singalong leaders with DVDs. (If the facility doesn’t have a DVD player, you may buy an inexpensive model and plug it into any TV with an HDMI input.) 

We provide training and tips to get you started. We tell you what to expect, and we share best practices for presenting singalongs.

We help you find a place to lead a singalong. You will likely know some places near you to contact. We’ll walk you through what to tell people. In some cases, we will provide flyers or introductory letters, describing Songs & Smiles singalongs.

You lead a singalong. You have fun. You learn some things. You make a difference. You create magic moments. You realize that you want to do this again and again.

If you’re interested in becoming a Songs & Smiles singalong leader, please fill out the form below.