Co-Writing Songs: The Art & Business of Collaboration

This hands-on class will teach you the artistry and business of co-writing in a professional, real-world setting. Under the tutelage of former Motown Staff Writer Alan Roy Scott, this "sandbox" of a class fosters learning by doing. After the first hour's conversation on various real-world aspects of the business of collaboration, the last part of class involves writing on a different assignment with different collaborators, each week. In the Final Week the class writes for and with either some of LA's most talented Up-and-Comers or established Hit Writers.

This program is especially for you if you. . .

• have always wanted to co-write but have never tried before
• would like a safe, professional setting in which to work with a number of different writers
• would love a real-world opportunity to write with and for emerging artists who are special guests
• feel confident in my own writing and want an opportunity to grow and improve
• am feeling stuck in my own work and could use a jump-start of creativity
• have been hoping to network and collaborate but have not found like-minded people
• want a positive, respectful, and constructive arena to find potential collaborators
• want to learn the professional aspects of the business of collaboration
• want real-world assignments (members of the summer session placed their co-write on a visiting artist's record!)
• realize that many of your favorite songs were written not by a single writer but by co-writing teams and now want to become part of a productive, successful creative collaboration

You will explore different concepts, techniques, and skills of songwriting in each class and then tackle specific exercises and assignments with co-writing partners. You will have the chance to collaborate with many different writers as you search for positive and successful creative relationships you’ll want to maintain outside of class.

You will write songs every week. Class time will be devoted to writing, collaborating, critiquing songs, and receiving feedback from the instructor and special industry guests.