Songwriting: Pulling It Together

With Jan Krist

June 22 – 28, 2025

Songs are made of words and music, but somehow, infused in these pieces are images, emotions, longing, understanding, hopes, and humor.
How does this happen?
We’ll explore these outcomes through the work of some of the best songwriters from the past 80 years.
We’ll borrow, and steal the best ideas on craft, from Gershwin, to Coldplay.

This year’s songwriting will wrap around the theme of gratitude and saying “yes;”

Yes to the muse, yes to the prompt, yes to the inspiration around us.

Songwriters will receive a daily prompt which will focus on our main themes,

Writers will also receive a song prompt. They will discuss the construction of songs, the tools available to us, and shortcuts we can use to create meaning, and communicate ideas, We will spend time listening to music, focusing on writers that inspire us, and sharing the work we’ve done over the past year with each other.

In the end, this special gathering of creative souls will blossom into new work, which we will polish and perform on our last day of class.

Faculty

Jan Krist

Detroit-born Jan Krist was raised on the folk rock sensibilities of the 60’s and 70’s…

Location: Grunewald Guild

Address: 19003 River Road, Leavenworth, WA, USA

Will I need to work outside of class?:
Yes, participants wishing to create complex or ambitious projects should expect to spend additional time working outside of class.

Do I need experience to take this class?:
All experience levels welcome, including beginners It’s best if you have some skill on an instrument, like a guitar, piano, or ukulele

What do I need to bring to class?:
Instrument

Minimum age of participant: 16

What kinds & quantities of projects can participants expect to create in this class?: Holding a concert together on the last day to share new songs.

This program begins Sunday, June 22, and ends Saturday, June 28. The fees listed below include lodging and all meals (except “Commuter”, which includes a Commuter Meal Plan).  An additional sliding scale Course Fee is required.  For more information on our pricing, see our Pricing page.

  • Commuter – $115.00

  • Cabin – $1,180.00

  • Private Room + Shared Bath – $940.00

  • Shared Room + Shared Bath – $610.00

  • Yurt – $730.00

  • Library Dorm – $460.00

  • RV with Electric: 125V/30 Amp – $460.00

  • RV with Electric: 25V/20 Amp – $460.00

  • Personal Tent or Car Camping – $400.00