GRETCHEN PETERS
Songwriting From the Inside Out
July 29 - August 1, 2026
Scarritt Bennett Center • Nashville, TN
Limited to 15 Students
Registration is open!
Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you have any questions.
A great song, like all art, holds a mirror up and reflects who we are. Songwriting, at its heart, is storytelling, and telling your story in a compelling way comes down to authenticity. 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. We’ll learn how to keep a sense of creative play and when (and how) to welcome the inner critic into the room. We’ll find ways to work through “writer’s block.” We’ll learn that only through the specific do you achieve the universal—the holy grail in songwriting and all writing. We’ll learn to write from the inside out, beginning with the spark of an idea and following it all the way to its full realization.
Gretchen is one of the world’s great songwriters who takes us with her into the world and experiences of the characters she creates in her songs. As a teacher, she has the ability to break down the songwriting process into a logical method which is inspired by creativity. She made sure everyone in the workshop despite their level of songwriting feels respected and lifted up. She gently fuels the flame to bring songs to light.
This 3-Day Workshop With Gretchen Will Include:
- Building backstories for songs
- Finding the melody of a character
- How to arrange a song
- Surprise guests
- Song feedback & sharpening skills with Gretchen
- A private one-on-one session with Gretchen
In addition to the intensive days of songwriting, you’ll enjoy a closing night group dinner and song circle, surprise guest songwriting friends of Gretchen’s who will join us and inspire you, and an opening night dinner with Gretchen on Wednesday evening July 29 at a Nashville home.
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 29 dinner with Gretchen in a Nashville home to meet each other the night before classes start, one-on-one meeting with Gretchen, 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 Gretchen’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 15, 2026 that will be due no later than June 1, 2026 to keep your spot and not lose your deposit. If you are fully paid and cancel by June 15, 2026 you’ll be refunded $1000. After June 15 there is no guaranteed refund unless we fill the spot (we will have a cancellation list). If the spot is filled by July 15, 2026 then you’ll still receive your $1000 refund. If you cancel after July 15, 2026 there are no refunds.
Gretchen Peters Songwriting Workshop
July 29 - August 1, 2026
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.