SUZY BOGGUSS
Live Performance Workshop
February 5-8, 2026
The Filming Station & The Bluebird Cafe • Nashville, TN
Limited to 12 Performing Songwriter Workshop Alums by Invitation
THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED.
Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you’re an alum and would like to be on the waiting list..
This is a VERY special opportunity for a small class of only 12 alums of PSCW to learn from award-winning artist Suzy Bogguss … ending with a Sunday night performance of two songs at Nashville’s famed Bluebird Café!
We’ll kick things off on Thursday evening, Feb. 5, at 6:30 with dinner together at Lydia’s house, and then the first two days days of the workshop will be at The Filming Station—a magical event space (owned by Verlon Thompson). The third day, Sunday, February 8, will be at the famous Bluebird Café where our class will be the featured performers for their weekly “Writer’s Night” that evening!
During the first two days at The Filming Station, Suzy will share with the class everything she knows about performance—all of the tips and tricks she’s learned over her 40-year-career.
On the third day we’ll have morning class at The Bluebird Café, followed by sound check that afternoon. Then we’ll have the evening performance of the class that will be open to the public, with each of you performing two songs. Suzy will be the special guest host for the evening, opening and closing the night’s performances.
Suzy is a fabulous teacher and mentor — warm, open, funny and knowledgeable. She shared her vast knowledge of warming-up, microphone techniques, reducing your fear, effective sound-checks, entering and exiting the stage, being yourself, channeling your energy into the song, and even what kind of lozenges keep your mouth moist. The list goes on and on. Suzy is a huge cheerleader. She wants you to succeed and shine! And provides all the tools so you do just that.
This 3-Day Workshop With Suzy Will Include:
- Finding the right tempo and key for your song
- The range, break note, and interesting melodic moves of a song
- The delivery of your song
- Developing a relationship with your audience; how and when to ask for their participation
- Dealing with stage fright, mistakes, and tips on mental preparation
- Soundchecks and working with a sound engineer
- Walking on and off the stage, banter, and song introductions
In addition to the 3 days of classes with a small group of 12 alums, you’ll enjoy an opening night dinner together at Lydia’s house with Suzy and one of her homemade soups; lunches provided each day; a performance of 2 songs at the Bluebird Cafe for Sunday Writer’s Night at the 8:00 p.m. show, hosted by Suzy who’ll perform at the end; 1 reserved guest seat at the Bluebird so you can invite a guest; a video recording of your performance at the Bluebird; an after party at Lydia’s to celebrate your Bluebird performance.
Register
Cost
THE COST is $1,895 per student, with a $695 deposit upon registration. This includes three days of workshops (Friday/Saturday/Sunday), a Thursday Feb. 5 evening gathering at Lydia’s with dinner cooked by Suzy, lunch each afternoon, one reserved guest seat at the Bluebird, a video recording of your Bluebird performance, and more!
Attendees
THIS WORKSHOP is limited to 12 alumni of Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops, by invitation who are ready to perform onstage at The Bluebird Cafe.
Lodging
FOR LODGING the most convenient and economical option is staying on campus at Scarritt Bennett (even though we won’t be meeting there) where rooms are available on a first-come, first-served basis and parking is free. More information can be found at Scarritt Bennett Lodging or by calling 615-340-7469. And there are plenty of Air BnB’s around the area of Music Row/Vanderbilt/Belmont.
You could also opt for a Green Hills hotel which is a little further from the Filming Station (but still only a few miles), but just around the corner from the Bluebird and where you’ll be both Thursday evening and all day Sunday. Those hotels are Courtyard by Marriott Nashville Green Hills, Residence Inn by Marriott Nashville Green Hills, Hampton Inn – Nashville Green Hills and Hilton Green Hills.
Refund Policy
YOUR DEPOSIT OF $695 ($395 OF WHICH IS NON-REFUNDABLE) will secure one of the 12 spots. You’ll be invoiced for the remaining $1200 on Nov. 1, 2025 that will be due no later than Nov. 15, 2025 to keep your spot and not lose $395 of your deposit. If you are fully paid and cancel by Jan. 1, 2026 you’ll be refunded $1,300. After Jan. 1 there is no guaranteed refund unless we fill the spot. If the spot is filled by Jan. 15, then you’ll still receive your $1,300 refund. If you cancel after Jan. 15 there are no refunds.
Suzy Bogguss Performance Workshop
February 5-8, 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.