Masterclass: Songwriter's Toolkit with Emily Barnes

Join Emily Barnes for a deep-dive into her creative process and approach to contemporary folk writing. You will take home exercises that Emily uses to help push past writer's block, and you will learn her approach to storytelling.

"​Emily Barnes is more than just a musician;" Divide and Conquer writes, "she’s a storyteller that sets the lives of her characters to music."

Emily Barnes will be the headlining performer at the February 16 Hoot Show, which will start at 6:30 pm on the day of the Masterclass and will include a Writer's Round with local North Country musicians Christian Rottner, Tereson Dupuy, and Russ Cook.

About Emily Barnes (from emilybarnesmusic.com/welcome):

Emily Barnes is a contemporary folk singer/songwriter whose music breathes life into the characters and stories of everyday people. With a voice that cuts to the bone and lyrics that linger long after the last note, she crafts songs that feel both intimately personal and universally human.

Born and raised in Johnsonburg, New Jersey (a town so small it doesn’t appear on most maps) Barnes began writing songs on the stone steps of her 200 year old house. From those quiet beginnings, she’s built a grassroots following the old-fashioned way: one room, one story, and one listener at a time.

Armed with her acoustic guitar and a raw, haunting voice, Barnes has performed in cities and small towns across the county, captivating audiences and building a grassroots following. Her latest album, Mint Condition, took her on a sold out tour throughout the Northeast and marked her most accomplished work to date.

A recognized talent in the songwriting community, Emily has been a finalist in several major festivals, including the Kerrville Folk Festival, Red Lodge Songwriters Festival, Blast on the Bay, and The Acorn Songwriting Contest.

With four albums under her belt and a growing reputation as a storyteller of uncommon depth, Emily Barnes continues to carve out a space that is wholly her own in the modern folk landscape.