Opening Up to The Creative Flow With Beth Nielsen Chapman

September 10-13, 2023 • At Dyer Observatory in Nashville, TN

Limited to 16 Students

Registration is Open—Only 4 Spots Left!

Please email Lydia Hutchinson if you have any questions.

Because of the intimacy of the class size this will be a powerful opportunity for each person to dive deep and resurface creatively inspired with new tools and clarity. 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.

We will start the evening of Sunday, September 10 with a dinner at a Nashville home, cooked by Beth. Then we’ll spend the next three days at the gorgeous Dyer Observatory and it’s grounds, located off of Granny White Pike near Brentwood, TN (just 10 miles south of downtown Nashville). We’ll spend all of our time up there on the highest peak in Nashville, where Beth will inspire you with stories behind her songs, creative exercises, songwriting tips, and open you up to new approaches to your creativity. In the afternoons we’ll get down to the business of writing and working on your songs. You’ll be able to share with the group whatever you’re working on—even if it’s just lyrics—and get feedback from Beth. You will also have an opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Beth to work on your song. Plus there’ll be all of the unscripted fun, laughter and surprises that we always enjoy with Beth!

The workshop includes:

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 Sunday night at a Nashville home with Beth
Lunch provided on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday and dinner on Wednesday night
Viewing the night sky through the Seyfert telescope

In addition to the days of songwriting and creative inspiration, you’ll enjoy an opening night dinner at a Nashville home with a meal cooked by Beth, surprise guest songwriting friends of Beth’s who will join us and inspire you, a closing night group dinner, special musical treats and more!

Workshop Information

If you have any specific questions, please email Lydia Hutchinson

LIMIT: 16 Students

COST: $1,495 per student. This includes three days of workshops (Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday), a Sunday evening gathering and dinner to meet each other, lunch each afternoon, one-on-one time with Beth, class performances, a closing night dinner together and a viewing of the night sky through the Seyfert telescope.

TRAVEL: You’ll want to arrive in Nashville by late afternoon on Sunday September 10 so you can join us at 6:30 p.m. for our opening night dinner. And you’ll be busy through the late evening of Wednesday Sept. 13, so plan on leaving on Thursday morning Sept. 14 (or stay longer to enjoy more of Nashville!). Also, we often get asked if family members or friends who are traveling with workshop attendees can join us for dinners or evening events, but since group dynamics and spending time getting to know each other is a large part of this event, all of the activities are kept exclusively for the 16 registrants.

TEACHERS: In addition to Beth Nielsen Chapman, we have a couple of Beth’s songwriting friends as surprise guest speakers who will be with us.

WHERE: The Dyer Observatory, also known as the Arthur J. Dyer Observatory, is an astronomical observatory owned and operated by Vanderbilt University. Built in 1953, it is located in Brentwood, Tennessee, and is the only university facility not located on the main campus in Nashville. The observatory is named after Arthur J. Dyer, who paid for the observatory’s 24-foot (7.3 m)-wide dome, and houses a 24-inch (610 mm) reflecting telescope named for astronomer Carl Seyfert. Today, the observatory primarily serves as a teaching tool; its mission is to interest children in the fields of science and engineering. The observatory was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 6, 2009.

LODGING: Dyer Observatory is located 10 miles south of downtown Nashville off of Granny White Pike, close to Brentwood, TN. I’d recommend staying at one of the hotels located in Brentwood, less than 2 miles from where we’ll be each day. Here’s a TRIP ADVISOR link to the nearest hotels (ignore the top sponsored one…). Also, if you’re staying in one of those hotels (which are mostly all next to each other off of Maryland Way) you could share a car or ride service since you’re not going to need one other than to get up to Dyer in the mornings and back in the evenings. You’ll be able to coordinate that on a private Facebook group that will be set up beforehand.

REFUND POLICY: YOUR DEPOSIT OF $495 IS NON-REFUNDABLE and will secure one of the 16 spots. You’ll be invoiced for the remaining $1000 on July 1 that will be due no later than July 15 to keep your spot and not lose your deposit. If you are fully paid and cancel by August 1, 2023 you’ll be refunded $1000. After August 1 there is no guaranteed refund unless we fill the spot (we will have a cancellation list). If the spot is filled by Aug. 15, 2023 then you’ll still receive your $1000 refund. If you cancel after Aug. 15, 2023 there are no refunds.

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Please email Lydia Hutchinson if you have any questions.

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REFUND POLICY: YOUR DEPOSIT OF $495 IS NON-REFUNDABLE and will secure one of the 15 spots. You’ll be invoiced for the remaining $1000 on July 1 that will be due no later than July 15 to keep your spot and not lose your deposit. If you are fully paid and cancel by August 1, 2023 you’ll be refunded $1000. After August 1 there is no guaranteed refund unless we fill the spot (we will have a cancellation list). If the spot is filled by Aug. 15, 2023 then you’ll still receive your $1000 refund. If you cancel after Aug. 15, 2023 there are no refunds.

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Testimonials

Having already taken two Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops, I can whole heartedly recommend the experience. Lydia is amazing. In addition to being a really wonderful person, she is a fantastic organizer who is totally focused on creating a workshop that is both supportive and very valuable to all the participants.

Ellen Gennaro
Nashville, TN

I registered for this workshop hoping for a creative spark and left with a wide burning flame, the experience exceeded my expectations.

Lynda Dawson
Raleigh, NC

Plain and simple, Lydia knows what she’s doing, and she does it well. Best workshops EVER.

Lynn Newman
Redding, CA

Lydia is tremendously motivated and spectacularly learned in her presentation of incredibly successful artists. This is what Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops are all about. Lydia has been active for decades in the marvelous world of musicians, helping their voices be heard and recognizing those who have been fortunate enough, through ability, hard work, perseverance and luck, to make a living doing what they love. Lydia invites these artists and aspiring song writers for an interactive four day workshop that leaves all happily exhausted for the good work accomplished and unforgettable times together.

Richard Weil
Takoma Park, MC

If you need to learn how to transfer what you see, and hear, and imagine, from your brain to whatever your medium of creativity is, Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops are for you. While the emphasis of the workshop I attended was on “songwriting,” the teaching and inspiration I received was applicable to virtually any outlet of creativity. Lydia is one of the most fun and “welcoming” people you will ever meet and her event planning skills are unmatched! From the online registration to the very end of the workshop I felt like I was in good hands.

Matt Steinhauer
Hendersonville, TN

I’ve been writing songs for 4 decades and have recorded 7 albums. This workshop advanced my writing skills and focus more than I could have imagined. I’ve been inspired and more productive, and can see the difference in the quality and enjoyment of my songwriting!

John Mulder
Spring Lake, MI

The workshop was FABULOUS!! Not once did Lydia Hutchinson ever let the ball drop! Everything ran like clockwork: she was always there, ready to help or clarify something. She thought of everything! And she made each of us feel important. I cannot thank her enough for all she did to make this experience one I will never forget.

Carol Lyman
Port Pleasant, PA

As a life and executive coach, I’ve attended dozens of seminars and programs. This is HANDS DOWN the most inspiring workshop of all! Lydia’s attention to every detail, coupled with her caring and creativity, and her respect for the best teachers in the business make this a gem of a program you should not miss.

Debbie Phillips
Martha's Vineyard, MA