HOSTED FEBRUARY 2 - 20, 2025

PRODUCED BY ISA BURKE

WE HOPE TO BRING THIS BACK IN 2026!

PRICING INFO
3-week classes: $120 per class
One-off workshops: $50 per workshop
Morning writing only: FREE!
The Whole Shebang: $400

3 WEEK CUMULATIVE CLASSES OFFERED:

Expanding Your Song Accompaniment Toolbox with Isa Burke
Thursdays: February 6, 13, and 20, 6:30-8:30PM Eastern/5:30-7:30PM Central

In this class we'll learn some songs and use them as a canvas to explore a variety of song accompaniment techniques for the intermediate/advanced guitarist! These techniques will apply to both accompanying yourself as a singer, and accompanying another singer/player as the "lead" guitarist. (We'll also kind of blow up the "lead/rhythm" binary altogether!!) We'll talk about the subtleties of rhythm and right-hand technique, and the way the guitar can interact with other instruments to create a complex groove. We'll also go deep into the fretboard, using interval and chord shapes to train our ears and hands to find and understand patterns. By the end of the class, we'll find some sounds that we think are interesting and beautiful, and you'll have a stronger command of where those sounds live on the guitar. This class will be recorded so that you can view all three sessions even if you can't make it to the live class. It includes access to the Morning Writing sessions and the Miles of Music: Reprise kickoff and closing events!

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Home Recording with Shane Leonard
Wednesdays: February 5, 12, and 19, 11AM-12:15PM Eastern/10AM-11:15AM Central

An alternate title for this class could be “How Not To Lose The Magic”. Anyone can plug a microphone into a cable into an interface into a computer and press record - it’s not hard. Anyone can also write a song, but you and I know that what makes that song magic is lots of skill and intention - so why shouldn’t it be the same for how you record? Furthermore, maybe you’ve tried self-recording before, only to sink into despair and exhaustion brought on by too many takes, technical issues, mental fatigue, and the encroachment of “real life”. In this hands-on class we’ll explore practical techniques for creating compelling recordings with basic, affordable equipment (less than $200 total) - and learn how to stay positive while you’re at it. Recordists of all skill levels and experience will find inspiration as we explore: technical/psychological/environmental factors that lead to successful recordings, microphone selection and placement for a variety of sources, recording voice and guitar simultaneously, embracing unorthodox methods, how to get the most out of your DAW (computer software like Garageband, Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton, etc.) and much more. This class will be recorded so that you can view all three sessions even if you can't make it to the live class. It includes access to the Morning Writing sessions and the Miles of Music: Reprise kickoff and closing events!

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Morning Writing with Isa Burke and friends
Sundays: February 2, 9, and 16, 10-11AM Eastern/9-10AM Central

Join Isa Burke for a chill and meditative morning writing session! These sessions will be an open space to do some generative free writing from (optional) prompts. The prompts will be geared towards writing songs, but could ultimately inspire any kind of creative work! You can even bring a prompt to give to the group if you wish. There will be a bit of meditation, some time to share what you’ve been writing (optional), and a chance to start your day with creativity alongside other writers. Included with registration for any Miles of Music: Reprise workshop.

ONE-OFF WORKSHOPS OFFERED:

Building Your Song Bank: Generative Songwriting to Get Past the Blank Page with Don Mitchell
Tuesday, February 4, 7-9PM Eastern / 6-8PM Central

In this hands-on workshop we’ll experiment with ways to bypass the internal editor and mine the subconscious through prompts and exercises that encourage playfulness and exploration. We’ll work on building out our bank of musical seeds so that into the future we can be our own best collaborators and find a path to being creative even on the days when we “aren’t feeling it”.

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Writing from Place: Crafting Songs from Memory and Sensory Detail with Naomi Westwater
Tuesday, February 11, 7-9PM Eastern/6-8PM Central

In this workshop, we'll tap into the sensory power of a meaningful place to inspire song lyrics. By creating a detailed collage of memories, colors, sounds, and textures, you'll use the vivid imagery of your chosen place to shape a song that captures its essence, from the ground up. This workshop will play with freewrite, form writing, lyric, and harmony.

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Singing Through Fear with Lizzy Ross
Monday, February 17, 7PM Eastern/6PM Central

For many of us, singing is joyful and freeing - until we try to do it in front of an audience! What would it take to anchor joy and ease into our performing experience? In this workshop, we’ll explore encountering stage fright with mindfulness and embodiment practices that transform fear into presence.

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Ingredients of Pop Song Production with Elizabeth Ziman
Tuesday, February 18, 7-9PM Eastern/6-8PM Central

In this workshop, Elizabeth Ziman (Elizabeth and the Catapult) will guide the group through a deep listening session in which we'll dissect 1-2 pop songs from a producer's perspective. We'll tease out the specific details and choices that are used in contemporary pop production, and you'll leave the workshop with a deeper understanding of how a great pop song grabs hold of your attention and won't let go.