Roots and Voices

We proudly invite you to join us on our unique 6-day pilgrimage.
Join us for a life-affirming and eye-opening choral journey tracing the legacy of the Negro spiritual through the lived history of Freedom Seekers. Travel Harriet Tubman’s path along the Underground Railroad from her birthplace on Maryland’s Eastern Shore to Niagara, New York where she crossed to freedom in Canada. This is not your traditional choir tour! You will be immersed in stories and music born of struggle, resistance, and hope, experienced on location. Dialogue and reflection will be an integral part of the tour, encouraging personal growth and understanding.

ABOUT

Who is
this for?

Designed for music educators and conductors, this immersive journey offers a unique opportunity to explore spirituals as a living tradition. Together, we will engage with history, repertoire, and meaningful dialogue, gaining tools to teach this music with authenticity and cultural humility, while reflecting on its enduring relevance to issues of equity and social justice today.This pilgrimage is designed for:

  • Music educators who want to deepen their understanding of African American spirituals and gospel traditions;

  • Choral conductors seeking tools to teach this repertoire with authenticity and respect;

  • Educators and leaders looking to engage in meaningful conversations about history, culture, and inclusivity;

  • Anyone eager to connect with historical roots and expand their perspective through music and community.

MENTORS

Meet the Leaders

You will be guided by experienced choral directors who created and led this tour for their own singers.
Walk the path. Lift your voice. Grow from the ground up.

Arreon A. Harley-Emerson

Choral conductor, music educator, culture sharer

Joy
Hirokawa

Choral conductor, music educator

Margaret Nomura Clark

Choral conductor, music educator

Rollo
Dilworth

Composer-in-residence, choral conductor, culture sharer

FEATURES

pilgrimage Highlights

DETAILS

What Does it Include?

Everything you need for an amazing experience

  • Hotel Accommodations: six nights in carefully selected hotels along the route.

  • Private Coach Transportation: travel between performances, excursions, and accommodations.

  • Daily Breakfast & Group Dinners: Shared meals to nourish both body and spirit.

  • All Excursions: from exploring historical sites to enriching adventures

NOT INCLUDED

  • Travel to Washington, D.C.

  • Return travel from Auburn/Niagara

  • Tips, meals not listed, and personal expenses

Tiered Pricing Options

Choose the rooming option that best suits your needs:

Single Occupancy

$3,419 pp

(+$70 per night for single supplement)

Double Occupancy

$2,999 pp

Quadruple Occupancy

$2,499 pp

Flexible Payment Plan

To make joining simple, we offer a 2‑installment payment plan:

*Not including processing fees

First Payment – $1,499.50 (50%)*

Due at registration to secure your spot. Just hit the button at the bottom of the screen!
Refundable until the 31st March, 2026.

Final Balance – Remaining balance

Remaining balance, due May 30th, 2026.

What Was the
Underground Railroad?

The Underground Railroad was not a literal railroad, but a vast network of safe houses, secret routes, and courageous individuals who helped enslaved African Americans escape to freedom during the 19th century.
Operated by both free Black communities and allies such as Quakers and abolitionists, it stretched across the Eastern United States, reaching into the North and even Canada.

Harriet Tubman’s Journey

Harriet Tubman (c. 1822–1913) was born into slavery in Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
After escaping, she risked her life to return many times, guiding more than 70 enslaved people to freedom.
Her courage, deep faith, and determination earned her the nickname “Moses”. Beyond the Underground Railroad, Tubman also served as a nurse, scout, and spy during the Civil War, and later worked for women’s suffrage.

Key Stops Along the Pilgrimage

Our journey retraces some of the significant places tied to Tubman’s story and the broader history of the Underground Railroad:

  • Washington, D.C. – National landmarks and opening reflections;

  • Cambridge, Maryland – Tubman’s birthplace and the landscapes of her early life;

  • Wilmington, Delaware – Safe houses and Quaker meeting places;

  • Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – A hub for abolitionist activity and gospel traditions;

  • Auburn, New York – Harriet Tubman’s final home and resting place.