Ancram Center for the Arts will offer a free four-hour songwriting workshop with Matthew Dean Marsh over two days: Wed. Jan 24 and Thurs. Jan. 25, from 3:00-5:00pm. Entitled “Why We Sing,” this workshop aims to awaken students? inner songwriter through the development of practical tools and alignment of emotional resonance. No prior songwriting or musical experience is required. To register, email info@ancramcenter.org.
Marsh is a noted composer/performer and co-creator of “You Don?t Know the Lonely One,” the story-song cycle seen at the Ancram Center in October. He has taught music and songwriting to students from all over the world.
In Session One, participants will gain insight into the craft of songwriting through in-person observational and lyrical exploration exercises. Using this insight, participants will bring a draft of their song to Session Two and receive feedback not just on the finished work, but on the process itself.
“I love teaching individuals to put form to their expression, which is a useful skill even beyond the realm of music,” said Marsh. “No songwriting experience is required, just a willingness to be present. Students are free to bring an instrument if they play one, but it?s not required.”
Ancram Center for the Arts is an award-winning performance space in New York’s Hudson Valley.
Housed in an historic Grange Hall, Ancram Center since 2016 had presented groundbreaking theater and musical performances by nationally recognized theater artists. Ancram Center receives significant annual support from the New York Council on the Arts and in 2023 was awarded a generous grant
from the National Endowment for the arts. For more information visit www.ancramcenter.org.