2026 Creative Workshops
Each class is a small group of 10-15 students, ensuring a safe environment to be creative, the chance to form a community with classmates, and plenty of time for working with and being inspired by award-winning songwriters, artists and guests. Some of the classes are for alumni of previous Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops, and because of the small sizes fill very quickly.
RETREAT IS FILLED
January 22-27, 2026 • San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Limited to 8 PSCW Alums • THIS RETREAT HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
A 5-night intensive writing retreat to Mexico’s artistic community of San Miguel de Allende, led by Verlon Thompson.
WORKSHOP IS FILLED
Feb. 5-8, 2026 • Filming Station & Bluebird Cafe, Nashville, TN
Limited to 12 PSCW Alums • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
This is a very special opportunity for a small class of 12 alums of PSCW. During the first two days at The Filming Station, Suzy will share with the class all of the tips and tricks she’s learned over her more than 35-year-career. Then the third day will be at the world famous Bluebird Cafe with performances of two songs by each class member at that evening’s writer’s night!
WORKSHOP IS FILLED
February 25-28, 2026 • Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 Students • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
One of the oldest phrases in any language must be ‘tell me a story.’ Songwriting is storytelling, and telling your story in a compelling way is all about detail. It’s about what you say, and what you don’t say. It’s about the truth, not necessarily the facts. In this workshop, we’ll explore the process of songwriting—the art and the craft and the delicate balance between the two.
WORKSHOP IS FILLED
March 25-28, 2026 • Scarritt Bennett & Ocean Way, Nashville, TN
Limited to 12 Students • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
Beth’s will help you tap into the power of singing with least effort from the natural tone of your speaking voice. She will work with a small group of 12 people in three areas: singing acoustically, in the studio, and in a live performance. Classes will be held at Scarritt Bennett Center on the first day, and the world-class Ocean Way Studios on Music Row on the second and third days.
WORKSHOP IS FILLED
April 15-18, 2026 • Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 Students • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia 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? Mary will work with you to help clarify the aim of your writing connect more deeply with listeners, creating resonance and lasting impact with your songs.
WORKSHOP IS FILLED
May 6-9, 2026 • Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 PSCW Alums • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
Emily will work with a small group of Performing Songwriter Workshop alums to find compelling images and descriptions that will help your songs connect in a more visceral way. She will break down the processes she’s used in her own songs, and study examples of other songwriters and poets who have influenced her.
WORKSHOP IS FILLED
May 27-30, 2026 • Ocean Way Studios, Nashville, TN
Limited to 10 PSCW Alums • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
Great melodies ask questions and then answer them. They take risks, make us feel something, and feel inevitable — like it couldn’t sound any other way. Over three days Matt will help build your toolbox to give you more wats to access and write those great melodies that are already in you.
2 SPOTS AVAILABLE!
June 17-20, 2026 • Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 Students • REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Please E-Mail Lydia if you have any questions.
Passwords, Prompts & Permission. In this 3-day songwriting workshop in Nashville, TN, Jonatha will work closely with all levels of writers to find new ways into your songs—through poems, rhythms, tunings and melodies—that will open up your channels of inspiration.
1 SPOT AVAILABLE!
July 8-11, 2026 • Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 Students • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia 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 Beth explores all the aspects of the writing process maximized by coming into balance between critical thinking and the creative flow.
WORKSHOP JUST ADDED!
July 29-Aug. 1, 2026 • Scarritt Bennett Center, Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 Students • REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Please E-Mail Lydia if you have any questions.
One of the oldest phrases in any language must be ‘tell me a story.’ Songwriting is storytelling, and telling your story in a compelling way is all about detail. It’s about what you say, and what you don’t say. It’s about the truth, not necessarily the facts. In this workshop, we’ll explore the process of songwriting—the art and the craft and the delicate balance between the two.
WORKSHOP IS FILLED
Sept. 9-12, 2026 • Scarritt Bennett & Filming Station, Nashville, TN
Limited to 12 Students • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you have any questions.
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 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.
RETREAT IS FILLED
October 25-31, 2026 • Outside of Florence, Italy
Limited to 12 PSCW Alums • THIS RETREAT HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you’d like to be added to the cancellation list.
A week-long retreat to Italy where our small group will stay in a villa outside of Florence, have writing workshops with Suzy Bogguss, enjoy cooking classes, and immerse ourselves in the art and culture of this creatively inspiring place.
WORKSHOP IS FILLED
Dec. 10-13, 2026 • Ocean Way Studios, Nashville, TN
Limited to 10 PSCW Alums • THIS WORKSHOP HAS BEEN FILLED
Please E-Mail Lydia if you’d like to be added to the waiting list.
During Jonatha Brooke’s studio workshop, she will spend three days with a small group at Nashville’s renowned Ocean Way Studios, helping you get ready to record your song with professional musicians, find your unique sound, and leave with a mix and tracks of your song.
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.