(originally posted on Songwriting Scene at this link)
Imagine spending a week in the mountains, surrounded by 150 other songwriters. Imagine spending this week learning about your craft from some of the most accomplished writers in the music biz. Imagine working on a song by the river, performing it at night for the warmest crowd you’ve ever played to, and then playing it again around campsites until 2am. And imagine feeling such intense love and support from everyone there, that you feel you can do anything.
That’s what Song School is. It’s my yearly retreat. My dose of grounded. My one chance of the year to press reset, hug my inner artist, and feel good about what I do.
I attended my first Song School in 2005, drawn by the prospect of taking a class with Lisa Loeb (she was one of the guest teachers that year). As a wee little freshman, I barely talked to anyone, and crawled into my tent alone each night. But I loved it, and couldn’t wait to come back.
The second year, I hit my groove. I played a song at open mic called “The Monkey Song,” and was greeted with cheers and applause. People came up all week complimenting me, and some even asked if I had a recording. “What?! You want a recording of me?”
But I took the message to heart. My junior year, I came back with my shiny debut CD in hand. And year 4, I returned as the confident senior, deep in the midst of his first national tour. That’s what this place does to people. It inspires us to grow, to take risks, and follow our truest inner passions. I never would have believed I could be a touring songwriter, but with the love and support of this community, that’s just what I became.
The teachers I’ve encountered at Song School have been among the most profound influencers of my life. Steve Seskin and Pat Pattison with their proven rules and tools. Joe Craven and Billy Jonas with their groove and spontaneity. Lisa Loeb and Melissa Ferrick with their writing exercises and discipline. Peter Himmelman, who taught us we could all write a song in 30 minutes. Mary Gauthier, with her amazing soul-cleansing self-loving wisdom. I learned how to be a performer from Vance Gilbert and Julie Portman. I learned how to sing my true voice from Ron Browning. And I’ve seen people write their first song ever with Paul Reisler.
But even more, Song School is about community. It’s a place where everyone is on the same level—from the beginning songwriter to the touring pro. It’s a place where I setup my tent each August feeling like I never even left. It’s a place where I get the biggest hugs, deepest conversations, most cathartic sobs, and hugest support of my year. And all that amidst the most beautiful scenery you could possibly imagine.
This year was my 5th. I guess I’m a music-junkie flunkie. But luckily at this school, I can keep repeating my senior year, and always learn something new.
Ryan is a singer/songwriter (www.ryanmintz.com) and sustainable music activist (www.thegreenmusician.com).
Song School takes place every August at Planet Bluegrass in Lyons, Colorado (www.bluegrass.com/songschool).
