Songwriting Workshops 2025-2026
Workshops held at Dalhousie Community Association ~ 5432 Dalhart Road NW, Calgary
Bundles Available:
7 workshops for the price of 6 ~ $240
Season Pass: 9 concerts & 7 workshops ~ $500
Song Stories: Crafting Your Voice with Catherine MacLellan
$40 | Sat, Sept 27, 2025 | 11 am – 1 pm
From Flash to Finish: Songwriting with Lynn Miles
Join “Songwriting Royalty” Juno Award winner and 6 x Canadian Folk Music Award winner, Lynn Miles, for an insight into her craft. Flashes of inspiration are rare, mysterious, fleeting, and sacred. We’ll talk about how to encourage these lightning bolts to arrive more often, how to capture them, and how to use them to bring a song into the world. My favourite way of songwriting is to “write from the title”. I do this by grabbing the gift of the lightning bolt, and using it as my starting point for the rest of the song. Once the lightning stops, the real journey begins…We’ll talk about power structures in rhyming patterns, verses, bridges and choruses.
$40 | Thurs, Oct 23, 2025 | 7 pm – 9 pm
The Art of Honest Songwriting with Madison Violet
Join award-winning duo Madison Violet for an intimate songwriting workshop drawing on their 25 years of songwriting, international touring, recording, and heartfelt storytelling. In this class, Brenley and Lisa will guide you through the creative process of crafting songs that resonate—with a focus on lyrical authenticity, emotional connection, and melodic intuition. Learn how to turn life’s experiences into powerful lyrics, shape melodies that linger, and find your unique voice as a writer. Whether you’re a budding songwriter or a seasoned musician, you’ll leave this class with tools, inspiration, and stories from the road that only two decades of music-making can teach.
$40 | Sat, Nov 8, 2025 | 1 pm – 3 pm
Authentic Voices: Songwirting with the Charms!
Join 2025 Country Music Alberta Horizon Group of the Year nominees The CHARMS — husband and wife duo Denis Dufresne and Megan Konschuh — for a 2-hour songwriting workshop blending melody, lyric, and storytelling. With award-winning experience on fiddle, guitar, and mandolin, they’ll guide you through writing authentic, harmony-rich songs rooted in Canadiana and country. Learn co-writing techniques, explore song structure, and craft lyrics that resonate. This workshop is perfect for songwriters of all levels!
$40 | Thurs, Jan 15, 2026
7 pm – 9 pm
Dive Deep into Connection with Scarlett Butler
Join SOCAN Award-winning duo Scarlett Butler for a songwriting workshop that dives deep into what makes a song truly connect. From lyric shaping to melody rafting, Troy Kokol and Joni Delaurier share the tools, tricks, and real-world insights behind their work with some of Canada’s top artists. Whether you’re polishing a half-finished tune or starting from scratch, this session is all about helping you write songs that stick — and mean something.
$40 | Thurs, Feb 12, 2026
7 pm – 9 pm
Honest Words, Real Stories: Somgwriting with Poor Nameless Boy
Join acclaimed indie-folk artist Poor Nameless Boy for a 2-hour dive into the heart of songwriting. He has been showcasing his music around the world, including Europe, Australia and North America. Known for his raw honesty and poetic detail, he’ll guide you through finding your voice, shaping memorable lyrics, and writing songs that connect. No flash — just truth, craft, and the courage to say something real.
$40 | Sat, March 12, 2026
7 pm – 9 pm
Finding your Story: Songwriting with John Wort Hannam
Join multi-award-winning folk artist and master storyteller John Wort Hannam for a 2-hour songwriting workshop that explores the heart of the songwriting process. Known for his clear, emotionally resonant vocals and narrative-driven lyrics, John will unpack the tools, habits, and mindset he uses to craft songs that connect deeply with listeners. Through discussion, live examples, and guided writing exercises, participants will gain insight into the creative process from one of Alberta’s most respected folk songwriters. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer looking to deepen your craft, this workshop will leave you inspired and ready to tell your own story in song.