MARY GAUTHIER
Manifesting Creative Courage in Songwriting
April 15-18, 2026
Scarritt Bennett Center • Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 Students
This workshop has been filled.
Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
DO YOU WANT to deepen your embrace of authenticity, boldness and vulnerability in your songs? Push past self-doubt, take risks with lyrics and melodies, write honestly, experiment with new ideas, and learn to trust your artistic instincts? In this 3-day workshop at Scarritt Bennett Center in Nashville, TN, Mary will work with a small group of 15 students (ALL levels are welcome!) to help clarify the aim of your writing and manifest creative courage. The goal is to connect more deeply with listeners, creating resonance and lasting impact with your songs.
We will kick things off with a dinner at a Nashville home with a cajun meal that Mary has cooked. Then each morning Mary will begin the class with an inspiring conversation that will give you new tools to put in your songwriting toolbox. We’ll have some fun prompts and writing exercises, and after that we’ll get down to the business of writing and working on your songs. You’ll be able to share whatever you’re working on—even if it’s just lyrics—as Mary offers feedback that the whole class can learn from. Mary will suggest how to make a song stronger, find the melody to support it, and how to get to your truth and unique voice.
Oh Mary..wow…Mary. Mary helped me, after 30 years of writing songs, find a truer voice. She helped me know where to look to find my story, to be inspired by who I am and that my story just like everyone else’s story matters.
This 3-Day Workshop With Mary Will Include:
- A private one-on-one meeting with Mary
- A chance to get feedback on your songs from Mary
- Special surprise guests and music
- Wednesday night opening dinner at a Nashville home with a meal cooked by Mary
- A closing night dinner together at a family style Nashville restaurant
- …and more!
After this time of of immersing yourself in the creative world of songwriting with like-minded souls, you will leave with a new community of friends, a support system, a songwriting toolbox filled with tools, and a strong sense of your writer’s voice that will let you turn your songs into shining reflections of your own soul.
Register
Cost
THE COST is $1,495 per student, with a $495 deposit upon registration.
This includes an opening night dinner with Mary to meet each other at a Nashville home from 6:30-9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evening April 15, three days of workshops (Thursday/Friday/Saturday) with surprise guests, a one-on-one meeting with Mary, a closing dinner together, and more. (breakfast and lunches can be found at restaurants in walking distance of Scarritt Bennett campus.)
Attendees
THIS WORKSHOP is limited to 15 students.
It’s a small and supportive group of all levels and ages, and each person will not only learn from Mary’s lessons, but also by listening to the song feedback that each of your classmates will have.
Lodging
FOR LODGING, Scarritt Bennett has rooms available on the campus on a first-come, first-served basis and can be booked directly through them. More information can be found at Scarritt Bennett Lodging or by calling 615-340-7469. If you’d rather stay at a hotel, these are a few within walking distance to Scarritt Bennett Campus including Embassy Suites, Best Western Music Row, Hilton Home2 Suites, and Hampton Inn. And there are plenty of Air BnB’s around the area of Music Row/Vanderbilt/Belmont.
Refund Policy
YOUR DEPOSIT OF $495 I5 IS NON-REFUNDABLE and will secure one of the 15 spots. You’ll be invoiced for the remaining $1000 on March 1, 2026 that will be due no later than March 15 to keep your spot and not lose your deposit. If you are fully paid and cancel by March 15, 2025 you’ll be refunded $1000. After March 15, 2025 there is no guaranteed refund unless we fill the spot (we will have a cancellation list). If the spot is filled by April 1, 2026 then you’ll still receive your $1000 refund. If you cancel after April 1, 2026 there are no refunds.
Mary Gauthier Songwriting Workshop
April 15-18, 2026
This workshop has been filled. Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you'd like to be added to the cancellation list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don’t play an instrument?
You don’t need to worry about that at all—except for Suzy’s and Matt’s workshops, playing an instrument isn’t required. The focus in the writing workshops is on telling your story in a way that connects with listeners, and if an instrument is needed the teacher can always help out with that.
Are the classes for all levels?
The songwriting classes are for all levels of writers, whether you’ve only journaled, written poetry, or are someone who actually performs and has recorded your songs. It’s designed to be three days of inspiration from the teacher, legendary guests, or each other as you support the efforts and bravery of your classmates.
There are three classes—Suzy’s performance class at the Bluebird, Matt’s melody master class, and Jonatha’s studio workshop—for alums who’ve already been through other Performing Songwriter classes. These three are by invitation based on if you’re ready and able to perform your songs, are proficient on your instrument, and if you have songs finished and ready to record.
What’s involved in song feedback?
Each person will perform a work-in-progress song in front of the class as the teacher listens and finds a teachable moment that everyone can learn from so more songwriting tools can be added to the toolbox. Feedback is strictly from the teacher, though, and the class is just invited into it as listeners — this keeps it safe and on track. You’ll also have a private 15 minute 1-on-1 with the teacher where you can talk about anything you’d like or get feedback on something you’re working on.
What does a workshop day look like?
The actual schedule for the workshop will be sent to you when we’re one week out. But in general, the mornings are for input — lessons from the teachers, song breakdowns, prompt exercises, etc. Then a lunch break for a couple of hours when 1-on-1s are also scheduled. Afternoons consist of the song feedback sessions with the whole class and any guests we might have pop in. The days start around 9:30 and end at 6:00, except for the last evening which goes through dinner.