The Creative Songsmith

Elevate Your Songwriting with expert coaching from Jenn Grinels and Merideth Kaye Clark

April 1st | 7p - 9p | @Resound NW. Elevate your music in this interactive and personalized masterclass. Whether you're a budding songwriter or a seasoned composer, this class is designed to help you refine your craft and enhance your songwriting skills. Bring your original song or original arrangement of a cover to the class, and receive constructive feedback. Students are encouraged to accompany themselves, though using pre recorded accompaniment is also welcome.

Who is this class for?

• Anyone who has a song they’ve written (or an original arrangement of a cover) and is eager to get feedback to improve it.
• Aspiring songwriters looking to take their compositions to the next level.​

What our students are saying:

“Merideth encourages me in my skills and passions, and she challenges me to try out new styles and more difficult techniques. She works with me to teach me what I want to learn and to help me reach my vision.” - Ellen L.

"Merideth Kaye Clark...is everything I could have asked for in a teacher. She has the patience, energy, and knowledge that continue to give me the tools I need for learning a new skill, as well as enriching my life with a deeper level of appreciation and understanding of music of all kinds." - Judy B.

Workshop Details:

WHEN: Tuesday, April 1st from 7p - 9p
WHERE: Resound NW | 1532 SW Jefferson St., Portland
INVESTMENT: Early Bird Pricing: $45*
*Price goes up to $60 starting February 28th

Register below.

About the Instructors

Merideth Kaye Clark (she/her/hers) is originally from Kansas City, Missouri and studied Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology at Emory University before earning a Master’s in Musical Theatre at San Diego State University. It was in California that she began her career as a concert artist and musical theatre performer, and she has since taken on major roles in theatres across the country. As a sought-after concert artist, she has been described as "plain astonishing" and "a masterful performer" with "powerhouse pipes."

​Merideth co-created the original concerts Winter Song (Portland Center Stage), Joni Mitchell’s BLUE, and Happy Days Are Here Again: The Music of Judy Garland and Barbra Streisand, which are now touring internationally. She is currently developing a new musical called WAKEMAN, written by Jenn Grinels. A multi-instrumentalist, Merideth plays various string instruments, particularly the guitar, banjo, dulcimer, and viola. She is also half of the acclaimed folk-Americana duo Siren Songs (with Jenn Grinels), which released their debut album in spring 2020. As a dedicated teaching artist, Merideth has conducted masterclasses nationwide.

Jenn Grinels (she/her/hers) is a songwriter, recording artist and internationally touring performer. Grinels began her career as professional actor in musical theatre before transitioning to composing original music. The singer/songwriter has performed well over 1,500 concerts around the world as a solo artist, with her band, and as half of the folk duo Siren Songs (with Merideth Kaye Clark). She has toured with numerous acts such as the 10,000 Maniacs, Edwin McCain and Marc Broussard. Additional notable artists include Marc Cohn, Christopher Cross, and Berlin.

Grinels’ original songs have been streamed over two million times and her music has received placements in film and many television shows, including MTV's "The Island", "Ben & Kate", "The Ghost Whisperer", and "I Am Cait". She has won numerous awards for both her songs and performances; early on in her career, Grinels' song "Can't Stay Here" was named Song of the Year by the West Coast Songwriters' Association. This year, Grinels will release her fifth studio album entitled Western Heart. Grinels resides in New York City and is represented as a composer and lyricist by the prestigious Gersh Agency.

 

“As you move toward a dream, the dream moves toward you." - Julia Cameron