JONATHA BROOKE
Finding Your Voice in the Studio
December 10-13, 2026
Ocean Way Studio • Nashville, TN
Limited to 10 Alumni of Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops
This workshop has been filled.
Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you’d like to be added to the waiting list, and you’ll be notified if there’s an opening.
Preparing to go into a recording studio can be as daunting as it is exciting. It involves everything from arranging and editing your song, choosing your equipment, and collaborating with an engineer, to dealing with the psychological aspects of getting your performance down.
During Jonatha Brooke’s studio workshop, you’ll spend three days with a very small group of only 12 Performing Songwriter workshop alums at Nashville’s renowned Ocean Way Studio on Music Row, helping you not only get ready to record your songs, but also to find your unique sound.
Jonatha is an amazing teacher, presence, guide, giver of great spirit. She makes every project her passion, encouraging you to become your best. The level of love in the studio is overwhelming, and so much of that is due to Jonatha. She’s the best!
It was very impressive how prepared Jonatha was! Her binder of notes clearly showed how much time and effort she put into the class members’ songs. Jonatha created a very safe and non-judgmental environment to allow for creativity to flow. She has a way of making everyone feel special.
A Few Things You’ll Work On With Jonatha:
- Finding the right microphone for your voice
- Gaining confidence in asking for what you want in the studio—it’s YOUR song
- Getting the best sound out of your guitar or accompaniment
- Headphone technique
- Tackling the psychological aspects of getting your best performance
- Learning to communicate with the engineer and band to make the most of your song
- Sweetening the recording with simple arrangements, background vocals, and studio effects
- Recording one of your songs, arranged by Jonatha, that you’ll be able to take with you
Register
Cost
THE COST is $2,495 per student, with a $1000 deposit upon registration. This includes three days of workshops (Friday/Saturday/Sunday), a Thursday evening gathering and dinner with Jonatha at a Nashville home to kick things off and meet each other, lunch each afternoon in the studio, and a closing dinner and listening party in the studio Saturday night.
There will be a band to accompany you on the recording, and Jonatha will work on arrangement ideas for your song before we go into the studio. After the workshop you’ll recieve a rough mix of your song as well as all of the ProTools files for it.
Attendees
THIS WORKSHOP is limited to 10 alumni of previous Performing Songwriter Creative Workshops.
It’s a small and supportive group that is present and listens as each class member records their song, learning from each as Jonatha talks through ideas and approaches.
There will also be an engineer with us who can answer any technical and gear questions you might have as you’re watching.
Lodging
FOR LODGING, Scarritt Bennett is walking distance from Ocean Way Studio and has rooms available on the campus on a first-come, first-served basis. They are now being booked through an outside online service, 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 that are close to Ocean Way and there are plenty of Air BnB’s around the area of Music Row/Vanderbilt/Belmont.
Refund Policy
YOUR DEPOSIT OF $1000 will secure one of the 10 spots, and $495 of that is non-refundable. You’ll be invoiced for the remaining $1495 on Oct. 1, 2026 that will be due no later than Oct. 15 to keep your spot and not lose $495 of your deposit. If you are fully paid and cancel by Nov. 1, 2026 you’ll be refunded $2,000. After Nov. 1 there is no guaranteed refund unless we fill the spot (we will have a cancellation list). If the spot is filled by Dec. 1, then you’ll still receive your $2,000 refund. If you cancel after Dec. 1, 2026 there are no refunds.
Jonatha Brooke Studio Workshop
December 10-13, 2026
This workshop has been filled.
Email Lydia@performingsongwriter.com if you'd like to be added to the waiting list, and you'll be notified when registration opens if there's an opening.
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.