VERLON THOMPSON
The Presentation of Your Song
September 9-12, 2026
Scarritt Bennett & The Filming Station • Nashville, TN
Limited to 12 Students
This workshop has been filled.
Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
Verlon has been quoted as saying that he “doesn’t teach songwriting so much as he inspires songwriting.” Writers of any and all skill levels will benefit from Verlon’s shared experience of more than 35 years as a professional songwriter. From concept (the “art”) to craft (the nuts and bolts construction), Verlon will guide the class in the writing and presentation of your song.
You’ll also learn tricks-of-the-trade for finding inspiration, letting a rhythm and groove guide you along, ways for your guitar to open up song ideas, and the importance of the presentation and performance of your creation. And you’ll perform on-stage for the class during a closing night concert.
Verlon is an accomplished songwriter who speaks the language of music with kindness, wisdom and respect. He is able to draw important information from the work of all types of songwriters; from newcomers to those who have more experience, he makes it comfortable to be assessed both with praise of the strong parts, and a gentle nudge toward improving parts which could possibly be adjusted. He always makes sure you know that his opinion is NOT the most important one because the most important person to please with your songwriting…is YOU!!
This 3-day workshop with Verlon includes:
- Exercises to help find inspiration for your song
- Hands-on crafting of your song, including rhythms, melodies, and delivery
- Closing night on-stage student performance and video-taping
- Surprise Guests
- Song feedback in the group with Verlon
- A One-on-One session with Verlon
- An opening night dinner on Wednesday Sept. 9 at a Nashville home with Verlon
- A closing night dinner after your performances
In addition to the intensive days of songwriting, you’ll enjoy the third day’s class at Verlon’s event venue The Filming Station, a closing night performance onstage with a videotaping, closing dinner celebration, a surprise guest or two of Verlon’s who will join us and inspire you.!
Register
Cost
THE COST is $1,595 per student, with a $595 deposit upon registration ($395 of which is non-refundable). This includes three days of workshops (Thursday/Friday/Saturday), a Wednesday Sept. 9 dinner with Verlon in a Nashville home to meet each other the night before classes start, one-on-one meeting with Verlon, and a closing night dinner together. (Other meals can be found at restaurants in walking distance.)
Attendees
THIS WORKSHOP is limited to 12 students.
It’s a small and supportive group of all levels and ages, and each person will not only learn from Verlon’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 $595 ($395 of which is IS NON-REFUNDABLE) will secure one of the 12 spots. You’ll be invoiced for the remaining $1000 on June 15, 2026 that will be due no later than July 1 to keep your spot and not lose $395 of your deposit. If you are fully paid and cancel by July 15, 2026 you’ll be refunded $1200. After July 15 there is no guaranteed refund unless we fill the spot (we will have a cancellation list). If the spot is filled by Aug 15, 2026 then you’ll still receive your $1200 refund. If you cancel after Aug 15, 2026 there are no refunds.
Verlon Thompson Songwriting Workshop
September 9-12, 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.