Americana Song Academy for Youth (VIRTUAL)

2021 Virtual Americana Song Academy for Youth

The Americana Song Academy for Youth provides a non-competitive format for youth ages 14-18 to learn the basics of songwriting, performing, and overall musicianship from professional musicians and one another.

We will begin on a Friday night with blank notebooks. On Sunday we will end as musicians with new tunes stuck in our heads, surprising notebook scribbles, and the feeling of time spent making music together. This is an introduction to songwriting for those who have never written a song before, and a dive into the art form for practiced writers. It will be a supportive environment for anyone looking to share original music, and a moment in our day to really listen. All musical styles and levels welcome. Each registrant will be mailed a copy of Victor Wooten's book, The Music Lesson.

The most important values shared are mutual respect, support and nurturing of one another, and each person’s creative journey.

Thanks to our Americana Project Arts Outreach Scholarship (APAOS) contributors, this program is available as a ‘pay what you can’ model. You decide the payment level that works for you, no questions asked.

Camp Director is Jenner Fox, with instruction by Jenner Fox, Natalie Akers, Asha Santee, Ellsworth, and Victor Wooten.

Click here for more about Americana Song Academy instructors.

Schedule

Friday Evening (6-9 pm):

6-6:30 Gather. Introductions. Grounding & Tone Setting with Brad.

6:30-7 “Bad” poem writing.

7-7:30 Workshop #1 Beginning a Song & Songwriting Sprint #1.

7:30-8:15 Compassionate song critique & song sharing in breakout rooms.

8:15-8:45 Mini concert. Meet your instructors.

8:45-9:00 Wrap Up

Saturday (10am- 8:30pm):

10-10:30 Gather. “Bad” Poem writing.

10:30-10:45 Songwriting Sprint #2.

10:45-11:15 How to record from home basics & advanced (breakout rooms).

11:15-11:30 –Break–

11:30-12:45 Masterclass with Victor Wooten.

12:45-2 –Lunch Break–

2-2:30 Gather. Listening to our favorite songs. Breakout rooms.

2:30-3 Writing/Recording Time.

3-3:30 –Break–

3:30-4:00 Workshop #3 A Career in Music with Megan Ellsworth.

4:00-4:30 Song Sharing & Compassionate Critique.

4:30 - 6:45 Dinner break/free time

6:45-7 pm Social time/hang

7:00-8:30 Song Share Celebration #1

8:30-9 pm Wrap up

Sunday (10 am-3 pm)

10-10:30 Gather. “Bad” Poem writing.

10:30-11 Producing with the sounds around your room with Asha Santee

11-11:30 Songwriting Sprint #3.

11:30-12:30 Lunch Break & Final Writing/Recording Time. Open hours with instructors.

12:30-1 pm Closing Ceremony

1:00-2:30 Song Share Celebration #2

2:30-3 pm Wrap up