BETH NIELSEN CHAPMAN
Opening Up to the Creative Flow
July 8-11, 2026
Scarritt Bennett Center • Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 Students
This workshop has been filled.
Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you have any questions.
Discover the path within you to the center of your own wellspring of ideas and then learn to stay present in the “what now?” as we explore all the aspects of the writing process maximized by coming into balance between critical thinking and the creative flow.
We will also be spending some time working with the voice and performance. The greatest singing comes from making a sound from the center of the note and a place of least effort. Whether you’re making records and touring or just trying to sing well for your demos, delivering the lyric and melody of the song is clearly important. Find out how to stay centered in your voice’s ‘sweet spot’ and watch your vocal range open up! Using quick tools and a few tricks Beth has developed, she has seen most students find the center of their voice very quickly, greatly increasing their stamina and improving their tone.
Beth’s experience, sincerity, humility and ability to make personal connections with all of the participants enhanced the experience for all. She successfully challenged us to truly identify our creative niche and taught us how to nurture it — we witnessed tangible improvement in our writing and our performance capabilities throughout the workshop. Her passion to our craft and commitment to our success was infectious, and contributed to a great experience!
This 3-Day Workshop With Beth Will Include:
- Tools & Exercises to unlock creativity and learn to flicker between left and right brain
- “Full Presence” Vocal & Performance Techniques
- Surprise Guest Speakers & Musical events
- Song Critiques & sharpening skills
- One-on-One sessions with Beth
- Opening dinner on Wednesday night at a Nashville home with Beth
- Closing dinner on Saturday night
In addition to the intensive days of songwriting, you’ll enjoy a closing night group dinner and song circle, surprise guest songwriting friends of Beth’s who will join us and inspire you, and an opening night dinner with Beth on Wednesday evening July 8 at a Nashville home. Plus there’ll be all of the unscripted fun, laughter and surprises that we always enjoy with Beth!
Register
Cost
THE COST is $1,495 per student, with a $495 deposit upon registration. This includes three days of workshops (Thursday/Friday/Saturday), a Wednesday July 8 dinner with Beth in a Nashville home to meet each other the night before classes start, one-on-one meeting with Beth, and a closing night dinner together on that Saturday. (Other meals can be found at restaurants in walking distance.)
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 Beth’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 May 1, 2026 that will be due no later than May 15 to keep your spot and not lose your deposit. If you are fully paid and cancel by June 1, 2026 you’ll be refunded $1000. After June 1 there is no guaranteed refund unless we fill the spot (we will have a cancellation list). If the spot is filled by June 15, 2026 then you’ll still receive your $1000 refund. If you cancel after June 15, 2026 there are no refunds.
Beth Nielsen Chapman Songwriting Workshop
July 8-11, 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.