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Who is Deb Seymour Song School for?

Deb Seymour Song School is for songwriters who want to strengthen their craft, stretch their creativity, and have more fun writing songs. Whether you’re fairly new to songwriting or you’ve been writing for years, the workshops are designed to give you practical tools you can use right away.
 

Do I need to be an experienced songwriter?

Not at all. You don’t need a catalog of finished songs or years of experience. You just need curiosity, a willingness to experiment, and something to write with.

 

Are these co-writing workshops? 

No. "Small group" refers to the number of participants allowed in each workshop. You will work on your individual songs, but with constructive feedback from both the instructor and the group. But people have met in my workshops who go on to

to co-write together!

Do I need to play an instrument?

No. These are songwriting classes, not instrumental performance classes. While many songwriters accompany themselves on guitar, piano, or another instrument, you do not need to play one to participate in most workshops.
 

How does the Song School cycle work?

The core workshops are designed to be taken as a series, with one workshop building naturally on the ideas explored in the others. Taking the full cycle gives you continuity and a chance to develop your songwriting from the first spark of an idea through revision and completion. But the program is also modular. You are welcome to sign up for individual workshops that interest you

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When are workshops held?

Regular Song School workshops are held on Wednesdays at 5 PM PT/ 8 PM EDT.  (See "Class descriptions" for dates)

 

Where are the workshops held? 

These workshops are all held on-line, on ZOOM.  

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How long is each workshop?

Each workshop is one hour long.

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When does registration open?

Registration for Winter and Spring classes opens October 15, 2026. Want a reminder when registration opens? Get on the email list by contacting classes@debseymoursongschool.com so you don’t miss your chance to grab a spot.
 

What happens in a typical workshop?

Expect to write! These are hands-on workshops rather than long lectures. We’ll use prompts, photographs, objects, rhythms, characters, scenes, timed exercises, and other creative jumping-off points to get ideas moving.

The emphasis is on experimentation and discovery and learning new tools to aid you in your craft. It is not producing a perfect song on command in one hour.
 

What if I think I have nothing to write about?

You have come to the right place! One of the central ideas behind Deb Seymour Song School is that songs are everywhere. A photograph, a rhythm, an overheard phrase, an ordinary object, a fictional character, or a tiny memory can become the seed of a song. The workshops are designed to help you notice those seeds and learn what to do with them.
 

Will I have to share my work with the group?

The workshops are designed to create a supportive environment where writers can experiment without feeling that every line has to be brilliant. Sharing and discussion may be part of the creative process, but this is a classroom, not an audition.
 

What if I’m afraid my songs aren’t good enough?

Then you are in excellent company. Songwriting involves making imperfect things, following strange ideas, writing terrible lines, finding surprising good ones, and learning how to tell the difference. The goal  isn’t to turn you into somebody else’s idea of a songwriter. It’s to help you develop your own voice and give you more tools for using it.
 

Who teaches the classes?

Classes are taught by touring singer-songwriter Deb Seymour, who wrote her first song at age ten and has spent decades writing, performing, recording, touring, teaching, and mentoring musicians.  She has recorded five albums and has taught songwriting, lyric writing, performance &  stagecraft, and creativity workshops at music camps, festivals, songwriting retreats and living rooms. Most importantly,  in forty years of honing her craft she has made plenty of songwriting mistakes herself, so you don’t have to make all of them.
 

Is this a serious songwriting program?

Yes. But “serious” does not have to mean solemn. We’ll dig into craft, character, narrative, imagery, melody, rhythm, rewriting, and the nuts and bolts of making songs work. We’ll also experiment, laugh, take creative detours, and occasionally follow an idea simply because it looks interesting.
 

Do I have to take every workshop?

No. You can take one workshop, several workshops, or work your way through the entire Song School cycle. If there is one particular area of songwriting you want to explore, you’re welcome to jump in there.
 

What should I bring?

Bring whatever you like to write with, whether that’s a notebook and pen, laptop, or tablet. Bring an instrument. Most importantly, bring your curiosity and your willingness to try something you might not ordinarily try. Bring your sense of humor, too! It always helps to be able to laugh when things feel tricky.

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What will I leave with?

Depending on the workshop, you may leave with new song ideas, lyrics, characters, scenes, melodies, unfinished songs, revised songs, or entirely new ways of approaching your writing. You’ll also leave with exercises and techniques you can return to whenever the creative well feels a little dry.

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Is Deb available for one-on-one mentoring?

Yes! One-on-one mentoring sessions are arranged on a one-to-one basis. Each mentoring session is $45 an hour. Deb will work with you to find a ZOOM time that mutually works. Email Deb with your request at classes@debseymoursongschool.com

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Ready to write?

You do not need to wait until you feel like a “real songwriter.” Writing songs is how you become one.

Choose a workshop, bring your ideas, and come write with us.​​