SongPath:
Songwriting as a Path to Meaning
A course designed to deepen the songwriting process and enhance creativity and artistic fulfillment. Facilitated, confidential discussions drawing on a wide range of wisdom sources. Performance opportunities, regular songwriting invitations, peer support. For songwriters at all levels of experience. Non-critiquing approach. Refreshments provided.
UPCOMING DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED
Email lynn@lynnharrison.ca with your interest!
Session 1 - Call & Response: Why Write Songs?
Seeing songwriting as a natural process. Responding to the call to create. Listening for songs.
Session 2 - Choicemaking: Deciding What Matters
What choices do we make as we’re writing? How can our songs reflect our true selves, both in content (ideas) and in form (melody, rhythmic approach, lyrics)? Making patterns of meaning.
Session 3 - Unseen Hand: Creativity & Spirit
Approaching songwriting as a spiritual practice. Accessing the unconscious, right-brain,
intuitive aspects of songwriting. Are sources of deeper wisdom accessible to us as we write?
Session 4 - Mistakes, Failure and Loss
What happens when our work “falls short” of our expectations? How can disappointment
and loss inform and deepen our songs?
Session 5 - Recording & Impermanence
Will our work last? If not, why or how will it matter? Exploring recognition and affirmation, and the rhythm of holding on and letting go.
Session 6 - Performance: Creating Connection
Strengthening connections within the song itself and between the song and others.
Session 7 - Finding Support
As we go deeper, can we also extend our reach? As we look inward for deeper meaning, how do we see our external circumstances and how can we skillfully navigate the challenges we face as artists?
Facilitator: Lynn Harrison is a Toronto-based singer-songwriter who has released four independent CDs, has received recognition for her songwriting from the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals and numerous song competitions, has worked as songwriter-in-residence for a daily current events radio program (CIUT-FM in Toronto, writing and performing a new song each week for two years), received CBC Radio airplay across Canada and performed widely in both Canada and the U.S. An experienced group facilitator and former writing instructor at the university level (Ryerson), Lynn has a lifelong interest in the intersection of artistic, spiritual and community life. She is a Unitarian Universalist currently pursuing
a graduate degree in theology/spirituality.
“Constant thoughtful insights around so many aspects of songwriting as it relates to our lives and our creative process. Helped me move through some haze and created the focus and momentum which has assisted my writing process…” – T. L.
“I learned to look and listen for inspiration, to try new approaches to writing…There were so many things of value.” – R. M.
“Gave me an opportunity to recapture all that is pure, dare I say holy, about songwriting.” - S. A.
“The course helped us dive into deep emotional space, with springboards into joy. Masterful encouragement to feel everything we feel and write songs that enter in and rise out. Uncountable gems and jewels and insights.” - B. J.
“It engaged me in the excitement of writing and in getting in touch with internal movement.” - A. C.
To find out more:
Email lynn@lynnharrison.ca
Return to Lynn’s Home Page