Kathleen Grace has taught this unique and targeted class for developing the language of lyrics in music for over four years. Her background as both a jazz and folk artist, and music professor inspired her to create a course that employs the best of both musical worlds as a path for learning the practice of songwriting. Past alumni include: Tierney Sutton, Rosie Rush, Danielle Wertz and many more.
WHAT: The class will consist of lyric writing exercises, song analysis, language study and experimentation, study of rhyme and form, group sharing and community building, creativity investment tools, writing lyrics to pre-existing melodies along with writing and revising a song completely on your own. Music handouts, lectures and songs will be shared through a a private Google drive. All students will receive real time feedback in class for every composition and assignment. No-pre recorded lectures.
ZERO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. I welcome all levels of songwriters, composers and musicians (jazz or other genres) - even if you can't play an instrument. Even if you just hear melodies and lyrics. Even if you have composed for years but never written lyrics.
THE DETAILS: 5 sessions – Sundays 4:00-6:00PM PST October 13, 20, 27, November 3, 10 Sessions take place on Zoom Here is a timezone converter https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/
THE COST: The course rate is $350. Students must register for the complete course. If you are sick or out of town for a class you can access assignments, listening cues and notes via google drive and, of course, check in with me. A zoom recording will be made for each class for your private use only.
"This class gave me the tools and encouragement I needed to embrace my inner songwriter. An exercise in this class not only became the title track for my next record, but was a pivotal moment in developing my artistry. Thanks to Kathleen I can confidently say that I am not only a jazz musician, but also a lyricist and a songwriter."
“Kathleen’s class was so inspiring. It reminded me that saying yes and listening helps develop songwriters of all levels. Being able to workshop ideas and get new creative sparks weekly was invaluable! I ended up producing and releasing one of the songs I wrote in class. The exercises we did gave me some new tools I still use today.”
“I took Kathleen's class two years ago while we were deep in the trenches of the pandemic. I was pretty isolated and my spirits were abysmal, so I jumped at the chance to take a class from someone who teaches and sings with her full spirit. The weeks that followed were educational, inspiring, and a downright good time. The classes really restored me and remain a bright spot in my memory during a dark time. I highly recommend it, regardless of songwriting level (I had never written a song before the class!). It will get your creative juices flowing and allow you to meet other amazing artists, in addition to working with the amazing Kathleen.”
"Kathleen's class showed me how to approach songwriting with both my head and my heart. How do I capture the spark of the message I wanted to convey? How would I express that spark in a way that was both poetic and musical? And her homework assignments broke the whole process down into digestible steps. Highly recommended!"
