Winter Sessions

Songwriting 1: Finding Your Voice

• Have you ever wanted to put your poems to music? Are you feeling like you don’t know where to start with creating lyrics? From lyrical tools, theory basics, and finding your voice, this hands-on class will have you writing songs from day one.

• Saturdays from 11am-Noon, Jan 17 - Feb 21 (no class Jan 24)

• $150

Songwriting 2: Using Your Voice

• Do you want to strengthen your songwriting skills?  Are you having a hard time figuring out your style? This class will get you into the daily habit of writing, collaborating with other musicians, mapping out song ideas/structures.   

• *Requirements: familiarity with basic chord constructions and progressions or completed Songwriting 1 class

• Next session March 2026 (Saturdays)

Songwriting 3: Strengthening Your Voice

• Have you been writing songs but feel stuck within your own style? Do you struggle finding new ways to express lyrical ideas? This class is for songwriters who not only want to continue flexing their songwriting muscle through prompts but learn/use time tested lyrical and melodic tools. If Song Writing 2 focused on quantity, then Songwriting 3 will strengthen the skills that enhance the quality of your songs.

• *Requirements: songwriting experience or completion of Songwriting 2

• Wednesdays from 7:30-8:30pm, Jan 14 - Feb 18, 2026

• $180

Classes include a final performance where you get to share a few of your original compositions!

Pricing: $150 or $180/student. If you need a little extra help, for $30 you can add on 1 additional private songwriting lesson with Vanessa that can be scheduled during the 6 week course.

About the teacher: 

Vanessa McKinney wrote, recorded and self-produced a ukulele folk/indie EP under the moniker VansAnn. She was also the singer/songwriter in the local band Pink Triggers with known songsmith Mayda. Currently, Vanessa is the singer/songwriter for the local queer punk band Spit Takes and has also taught piano at Sarah Jane music for the last 2 years.