Songwriting Workshops

Ann can present songwriting workshops to students. Her focus for a one-time, hour-long workshop is on Iyric writing, applying active and descriptive language to a tune to paint a picture for the listener. Students sing at least one familiar song together, jointly write new lyrics for it, discuss rhyme schemes, meter, verbal imagery and why songs are written and sung, and then they write their own songs individually or in pairs. The young composers, together with Ann and her piano, perform their songs for the group, resulting in great applause from their peers.

Most of Ann's experience in songwriting workshops has been with upper elementary students. Small classes seem to work best. Classes of over 18 students may require more than an hour to complete the entire workshop, since much individual attention is needed during the composing phase. Assistance from teachers or aides may allow for some additional students in an hour.

Ann has a B.S. in Elementary Education from Kansas State University and was at one time a classroom teacher of upper elementary students.

Cost to bring Ann to your school or group is negotiable.