2012 Instructors
We're excited to announce the beginning of the 2012 Song School faculty...
Songwriting Instructors
Mary Gauthier | Peter Himmelman | Pat Pattison | Paul Reisler | Darrell Scott | Steve Seskin | more songwriting instructors to be announced...
Elective Instructors
Michael Bowers | Ron Browning | Don Conoscenti | Girlyman | Arthur Lee Land | Siobhan Quinn | Amy Speace | Annie Wenz | many more elective instructors to be announced...
Watch for many more instructor additions in the coming months. (Check out our recent faculty lists to give you an idea.) Connect with your fellow Song School students in the Festivarian Forum. Make sure you're signed up for the "Notes from the Planet" email newsletter for all the latest news.
Mary Gauthier’s (pronounced "go-shay") latest album, Between Daylight and Dark, is filled with both hope and anguish, with faith as well as fear. Mary Gauthier knows these places well, having traveled through a night that had stretched into years, from a turbulent Louisiana childhood through odd juxtapositions of accomplishment and devastation. The result is reflected in the music, starting as a trickle of songs almost from the moment of her sobriety and swelling into the stream that fed her first two self-released albums, an indie-label release, and her stunning Lost Highway debut (Mercy Now). Acclaim has followed Mary. [more...] Mercy Now was continuously “discovered” and lauded in the two years following its release, earning mentions on a score of year end “best of” lists in ’05, including the Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune and No Depression. The album even received a benediction from Bob Dylan, who included one of its songs on a playlist for his XM Satellite Radio program. [less...] 
A truly multi-faceted musician, Peter Himmelman is an Emmy-nominated TV
composer, an acclaimed creator of children's music, and a critically lauded
rock troubadour. In 1985, Himmelman released This Father's Day, which
Rolling Stone called "stunning." The Rolling Stone Album Guide, called 1989's Synesthesia "a delight", awarding it with four stars. Time heralded Himmelman as one of "the New Troubadours" upon the release of his
Epic debut From Strength to Strength, asserting that he writes "songs with
the same emphatic edge and aesthetic urgency that impelled the Lost
Generation to write novels." During the '90s, Himmelman, expanded his musical
horizons to scoring a number of television [more...] shows and films, including the
Disney series Bug Juice, NBC's American Embassy, and the Touchstone film Crossing The Bridge. [more...] In 2002, he earned an Emmy nomination for his work on Judging Amy, a show he has scored since 1999. He is currently scoring the
show Bones on Fox and the new ABC hit, Men In Trees. This troubadour has found no limits to his
ability, nor do any seem waiting to stop him.[less...]
Pat Pattison is an author, clinician and Berklee Professor of Lyric Writing and Poetry whose students have composed for major artists and written number one songs. At Berklee, he developed the curriculum for the only songwriting major in the country. His books, including Songwriting: Essential Guide to Rhyming and Songwriting: Essential Guide to Lyric Form and Structure, are recognized as definitive in their genre, and have earned many ecstatic reviews. His clinics are attended by songwriters all over the country, and his articles appear regularly in a variety of industry publications. 
Paul Reisler has been performing and writing for over 30 years. He was the
founder of Trapezoid and performed close to 3,000 concerts worldwide. He has
been involved in over 35 recording projects in various roles as a musician,
engineer, producer and composer. He has just released a new album of
original songs with his new band, Paul Reisler and a Thousand Questions
featuring Angela Kaset and Howard Levy called At Night the Roses Tango.
He is the founder and director of Kid Pan Alley™ and has now written over
800 songs with over 18,000 children nationally. Their recent CD, Kid Pan
Alley Nashville, features many of that city’s best-known artists recording
the songs written with the children. [more...] That album received a Grammy nomination
and won both Parents’ Choice and NAPPA Gold Awards.
He has taught songwriting to adults at workshops and songwriting schools
throughout the country including the Rocky Mountain Song School, Utah Song
School, Swannanoa Gathering, Blue Ridge Songcamp, Augusta Workshop,
Hollyhock, Kerrville, NSAI, Songcamp in the Mountains and many others.
He’s currently working on a Kid Pan Alley musical, a full-length piece for
orchestra and narrator based on Aesop’s Fables, and a new Kid Pan Alley CD
in Charlottesville, VA. [less...]
If there has ever been a deep soul capable of healing us through song, voice, and virtuosity, it is Darrell Scott. Recognized with 2 Grammy nominations, multiple songwriter of the year awards from ASCAP and the IBMA, and universal acclaim from peers like Tim O’Brien and Sam Bush, the depth of Darrell’s gifts is simply remarkable. Darrell writes timeless songs drenched in traditional folk with a twist of contemporary phrasing — true American gems. His songs have been recorded on over 70 CDs, including the Dixie Chicks (“Long Time Gone) and Travis Tritt (“It’s a Great Day to Be Alive”). As an instrumentalist Darrell is dazzling on everything he touches - from banjos to guitars to pianos. And when he opens his glorious pipes to sing, we are transported and healed.
Steve Seskin started out in the 70’s as a street musician in San Francisco, and has steadily built an exceptionally successful career both as a songwriter and as a performer. He has written seven number one songs, including Grammy-nominated “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” recorded by Tim McGraw, and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” winner of NSAI Song of the Year and Music Row Magazine Song of the Year as recorded by Mark Wills. While Steve is best known for writing hits, he is also a successful performer and recording artist. His latest recording is "Two Paper Town." He is also a sought after songwriting teacher participating in seminars for the NSAI, West coast Songwriters and at many folk festivals. [more...] He is often a guest lecturer at the Berklee School of Music, The JMC Academy and McNally Smith College.
“Don’t Laugh at Me” was also recorded by Peter, Paul and Mary and became the impetus for the Operation Respect/Don’t Laugh at Me project, a curriculum designed to teach tolerance that has been taught in more than 20,000 schools across the country. The song is now available as a children’s book, Don’t Laugh At Me, which was a featured book on PBS’s Reading Rainbow. His latest book is called "Sing My Song" (a kids guide to songwriting) It is a "how to" book for kids interested in writing songs. The goal of that program is to instill a love of creativity in kids at an early age and to put more songs into the world about love, kindness and respect. [less...]
Presenting music which has been referred to as "folk with an attitude" and "urban campfire music," Michael Bowers is rapidly becoming known as a first rate songwriter and engaging, talented performer. His lyrics range from the heartfelt to humorous, always with both feet on the ground, but with eyes toward the horizon. The music he writes shows influences of blues, jazz, country, and the best of the singer-songwriter tradition.
Maestro Lorin Maazel, world-renowned conductor for the New York Philharmonic: “RON BROWNING is simply a master! The singers absolutely love working with him!” Ron is an internationally sought voice, performance, and crossover coach based in Nashville, Tennessee. His clients include Grammy® Award recipients and major recording artists in all genres of music. He has had the privilege of coaching leading singers from the Metropolitan and New York City Operas, and from other major domestic and international opera houses. He is a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing, and a voting member of The Grammy Foundation® and Country Music Association. [more...] Ron has traveled the globe with celebrity singers, grooming them for events such as the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony Concert and Royal Command Performances. Her voice reduced to a whisper, Grammy® winner, Patti LaBelle, called Ron a “miracle worker” after he helped her quickly restore her voice by show time, avoiding a costly show cancellation. Accolades about Ron’s work by major artists on TV and radio talk shows, press, and liner notes of CDs have earned Ron the title of “Voice Coach to the Stars.” Wynonna Judd says in the liner notes of her 2006 CD A Classic Christmas, “When the student is ready, the teacher appears. God sent Ron to me just in time.” Ron is an accomplished jazz pianist and successful songwriter, which earned him Artist in Residence for the city of Winnipeg, Canada. He developed the voice and performance curriculum for the Nashville Jazz Workshop where he is currently on staff. Ron holds music degrees from UCLA, California State University at Northridge, and the University of Kentucky. [less...]
Once a die-hard rocker, Don Conoscenti is one of the
most respected musicians and critically acclaimed
songwriters in acoustic music. His live performances
are a soulful fusion of styles blended from
his experience playing rock, jazz, blues, folk, funk
and country. But his primary love is the landscape
of story telling and songwriting. His "one man
band" sound is driven by an unusual rhythmic sense
and a finger style approach to guitar arrangement
which is set apart by the use of partial and multiple
capos. The performances are never canned. There
are no set lists. Expect to go on an improvisational
musical journey of unexpected segues, humorous
reflections, stories and songs. [more...] Songs about lovers,
outcasts, healing, loss, mystery, spirit, murder and
redemption.
In 1999, Conoscenti appeared in Boston as part of the first Inner Forest Concert presentations spearheaded by visual artist L. S. M. Reyes and jazz drumming legend Bob Moses. Conoscenti has met the direct descendents of native tribal leaders Crazy Horse and Geronimo and has been added to the Library of Congress archives as a Folk Revivalist. At seventeen Conoscenti set out across America, hitchhiking and traveling by truck, motorcycle, bus and the occasional freight train. He trekked to every one of the forty-eight contiguous states plus Hawaii, Jamaica, South America and Japan. While living in Vermont, scooping ice cream at a homemade shop in Burlington run by two guys named Ben and Jerry, he formed the first of dozens of bands comprised of virtuoso players from the rock and jazz worlds. After bouncing from north to south and coast to coast for several years he settled in Atlanta, rising up through the thriving acoustic music scene based out of Eddie's Attic in Decatur...a scene which has produced hit makers like Indigo Girls, Shawn Mullins, SugarLand and John Mayer. It was at Eddie's Attic that he also befriended a young Ellis Paul and they've been close friends, collaborators and partners in crime since.
After leaving Atlanta Conoscenti spent several years each in Texas, Oklahoma and the high desert of southern Colorado in the San Luis Valley. Conoscenti commands an array of instruments: acoustic and electric 6 & 12 string guitar, steel guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, percussion, flute, recorder, mandolin, banjo and didgeridoo. As an expert on the creative process and business essentials for the independent artist, he's been a regular on panels and as a teacher at facilities/events such as The Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Song School (Planet Bluegrass/Lyons, CO), Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters (Harbor Springs, MI), The Americana Song Academy (Sisters, OR).
The credits for his numerous CDs, released on his own Cogtone Records, read like a 'who's who' of contemporary acoustic music. The artists that he has collaborated with are renowned in a spectrum of musical genres including Folk, Rock, Jazz, and Native American.
His 1999 release, Mysterious Light, climbed into the top 20 albums played by folk and acoustic DJ's worldwide. NPR,World Café andAcoustic Café all spotlight his music.
Conoscenti's 2001 release, Paradox of Grace featured the pivotal song, 'The Other Side'. He was invited to perform this song on the nationally syndicated television program Crossing Over with John Edward, following the events of September 11, 2001.
In March 2002,Cogtone Records released Conoscenti's ninth album,Extremely Live at Eddie's Attic to high praise from reviewers, listeners and radio hosts. [less...]
In 1999, Conoscenti appeared in Boston as part of the first Inner Forest Concert presentations spearheaded by visual artist L. S. M. Reyes and jazz drumming legend Bob Moses. Conoscenti has met the direct descendents of native tribal leaders Crazy Horse and Geronimo and has been added to the Library of Congress archives as a Folk Revivalist. At seventeen Conoscenti set out across America, hitchhiking and traveling by truck, motorcycle, bus and the occasional freight train. He trekked to every one of the forty-eight contiguous states plus Hawaii, Jamaica, South America and Japan. While living in Vermont, scooping ice cream at a homemade shop in Burlington run by two guys named Ben and Jerry, he formed the first of dozens of bands comprised of virtuoso players from the rock and jazz worlds. After bouncing from north to south and coast to coast for several years he settled in Atlanta, rising up through the thriving acoustic music scene based out of Eddie's Attic in Decatur...a scene which has produced hit makers like Indigo Girls, Shawn Mullins, SugarLand and John Mayer. It was at Eddie's Attic that he also befriended a young Ellis Paul and they've been close friends, collaborators and partners in crime since.
After leaving Atlanta Conoscenti spent several years each in Texas, Oklahoma and the high desert of southern Colorado in the San Luis Valley. Conoscenti commands an array of instruments: acoustic and electric 6 & 12 string guitar, steel guitar, bass, keyboard, drums, percussion, flute, recorder, mandolin, banjo and didgeridoo. As an expert on the creative process and business essentials for the independent artist, he's been a regular on panels and as a teacher at facilities/events such as The Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Song School (Planet Bluegrass/Lyons, CO), Lamb's Retreat for Songwriters (Harbor Springs, MI), The Americana Song Academy (Sisters, OR).
The credits for his numerous CDs, released on his own Cogtone Records, read like a 'who's who' of contemporary acoustic music. The artists that he has collaborated with are renowned in a spectrum of musical genres including Folk, Rock, Jazz, and Native American.
His 1999 release, Mysterious Light, climbed into the top 20 albums played by folk and acoustic DJ's worldwide. NPR,World Café andAcoustic Café all spotlight his music.
Conoscenti's 2001 release, Paradox of Grace featured the pivotal song, 'The Other Side'. He was invited to perform this song on the nationally syndicated television program Crossing Over with John Edward, following the events of September 11, 2001.
In March 2002,Cogtone Records released Conoscenti's ninth album,Extremely Live at Eddie's Attic to high praise from reviewers, listeners and radio hosts. [less...]
The Village Voice calls Girlyman “really good, really unexpected, and really different.” When a rabbinical student writes a prayer based on their music, that’s really unexpected. When a fan tattoos their lyrics on her feet, that’s really different. The band’s blend of acoustic, Americana and rock winds its way into your life, whether you’re novelist Anne Beattie quoting the song “On the Air,” or characters listening to the band in The Last Lie written by best selling author Stephen White, or college choral groups who perform a capella versions of Girlyman’s songs. After long opening runs with the Indigo Girls and Dar Williams, awards and critical acclaim, the band set out on their own. [more...] Their music spans genres – they play acoustic guitar, banjo, mandolin, djembe, and electric baritone guitar-but even in large venues their shows are accessible in the coffeehouse style. They handily finish each other’s jokes. Their improvisational harmonies and on-the-spot songs (about everything from the Antipope to the benefit of firing a cannon in a musical composition) have become cult favorites. After four well-received albums, they self-produced their latest effort, Everything’s Easy, with a single, ten thousand dollar microphone – financed entirely by fan donations. They are currently recording their fifth studio album. Most recently, Girlyman has been collaborating with comedian Margaret Cho, co-writing songs for her upcoming CD. She also produced their first music video for the song “Young James Dean.” Of Girlyman, Cho says, “It’s the music of my heart and soul. Girlyman is the future and the past and the present.”[less...]
Arthur Lee Land combines diverse influences to create a fresh new musical vibe: Afrograss Flavored Folk Rock. During a tour of Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa in 2001, Arthur spawned the concept of Afrograss: a synthesis of West African percussion and bluegrass in a folk rock context with a touch of funk, reggae, latin and world beat. Touring as a multi-instrumental solo act Arthur calls “A One-Man Afrograss Folk Rock Ensemble,” he utilizes THE ART of LIVE-LOOPING to create a full band sound by layering African percussion, bass, acoustic & electric guitars, guitar synth, vocals and talk box. [more...] In and around touring and recording Arthur has been devoting more time to his passion of working with youth and teaching. Since 2007 Arthur's Musical Life Skills K-12 Assembly Program & Looping Clinics have been presented to over 20,000 students in more than 15 states. This is Arthur’s 8th year teaching at the RMFF Song School. [less...]
Siobhán Quinn received the 2006 WAMMIE award for Best Folk-Traditional Vocalist, has been a 2007 Kerrville New Folk Finalist (with Michael Bowers), a top 5 Boston Folk Festival songwriting Finalist, and Master Class vocal teacher at the Swannanoa Gathering, Kerrville Folk Festival, Rocky Mountain Song School (Planet Bluegrass), and Summersongs. She was born of immigrant parents, and is a force and talent that should not be ignored. Siobhan released “Dreamers, Lovers and Outlaws” with husband and music partner Michael Bowers in late April 2007. She previously released “Two Rivers” (1999) & “Grande Affaire” (ltd ed., 2003) with Ben Murray and an EP with the UK band Boneshaker (2005). [more...] She has toured through the U.S./U.K., and has had airplay on four continents. In addition to writing and performing, Siobhán has nearly two decades of professional arts and cultural administration experience in both public and private institutions including museum, cultural, arts center, educational, funding and presenting institutions. With an expertise is in jump-starting programs through evaluation, strategic planning, and the development of arts related community & educational programming, she has assisted individual artists with programmatic/artist-as-product business plans, booking, and has nearly two decades of experience developing program proposals for arts grant applications. [less...]
Never turn down a gig. That’s the story of how Amy Speace’s career took a radical turn. Playing in the corner of an Austin coffeehouse in the late afternoon to seemingly nobody during 2006’s SXSW, Amy was randomly heard by Judy Collins’ manager (who’d gone in for a latte), in town to scope out new talent for Judy’s Wildflower Records label. Her demo was brought back to Judy Collins who immediately proclaimed herself a fan, signed her, released “Songs For Bright Street” (2006) and “The Killer In Me” (2009), brought Amy out on tour as her opening act and recorded one of Amy’s songs, “The Weight of the World” for her forthcoming album. [more...] Paste Magazine called “The Killer In Me” “a resolutely hopeful take on heartache and loss, [Speace’s] beautiful lyrics are spun with a soulful, husky voice that lilts like a country sweetheart but mourns like Leonard Cohen.” WFUV NYC named it to its list of Top 10 Releases of 2009, and named “Weight of the World” to its list of Best Songs of 2009. Amy spent the past year touring the US and the UK with Judy, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Nanci Griffith, relocating from her long time home in NYC to East Nashville, TN and appearing on Mountain Stage, NPR, Tennessee Shines and at various festivals. In a not-so-distant former life, she was the Artistic Director of Five Points Theater Company in NYC, an actress, director and playwright, having toured with The National Shakespeare Company and taught performance with the NSC. [less...]
Songpoet/percussionist Annie Wenz is a multi instrumentalist, folk-roots artist & humanitarian activist who has traveled over 25 countries "bringing people together through music". Annie's musical experiences span the spectrum, performing & teaching in Pakistan for earthquake victims & dignitaries, to "New Zealand's Millennium Celebration", The Kennedy Center, festivals, arts centers & theater productions in Costa Rica, Germany, Sweden, Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, Mexico the US & more! Annie is known for her unique way of blending contemporary sounds with roots & multi-cultural influences & funky rhythms, accompanying herself & others on guitar, piano, indigenous flutes & percussion instruments. [more...] Her former band members -Senegalize talking drum wizard Massamba Djop of Babba Mal's band, percussionist Jose Gonzalez, "Viva Quetzal's" Eugenio Huanca, Steppenwolf's Guy DeVito, & London's Robert Dean (Sinead O'Connor's guitarist).
Annie has co written/collaborated with Dr Jeri Nielsen of the Ice Bound book & movie, and National Boyd Award winning novelist Robert Macomber. Her story songs are inspired by her journeys... kayaking & backpacking around the world, working as a registered nurse, rafting guide, activist and teacher. Annie also travels throughout the world sharing her grant winning workshops with songwriters, educators, health practitioners & accompanists.
She has 6 recordings on her own indie label Island Gypsy including her all instrumental CD "Winds of the World"! used by yoga & massage practitioners internationally.[less...]
Past Instructors
2011 Song School Instructors
Ysaye Barnwell, Mary Gauthier, Vance Gilbert, Sarah Lee Guthrie, Johnny Irion, Anais Mitchell, Pat Pattison, Paul Reisler, Steve Seskin, Livingston Taylor, "Chicago" Mike Beck, Tim Burlingame, Michael Bowers, Ron Browning, Ellis, Rebecca Folsom, Girlyman, Bob Hemenger, Jagoda, JJ Jones, Diana Korpi, Arthur Lee Land, Terri Mazurek, Bill Nash, Siobhán Quinn, Etan Rosenbloom, Justin Roth, Alan Rowoth, Sarah Sample, Kathrin Shorr, David Slater, Amy Speace, Mary Vyn, Judith Wade, Annie Wenz
2010 Song School Instructors
Jonatha Brooke, Sheila Carabine, Vance Gilbert, Pat Pattison, Paul Reisler, Darrell Scott, Steve Seskin, Amanda Walther, David Wilcox, "Chicago" Mike Beck, Michael Bowers, Ron Browning, Joe Craven, Ellis, Girlyman, Bob Hemenger, Jagoda, JJ Jones, Diana Korpi, Arthur Lee Land, Terri Mazurek, Bill Nash, Brendan Okrent, Siobhan Quinn, Justin Roth, Alan Rowoth, David Slater, Amy Speace, Mary Vyn, Judith Wade
2009 Song School Instructors
Mary Gauthier, Peter Himmelman, Karin Bergquist, Linford Detweiler, Pat Pattison, Steve Seskin, Vance Gilbert, Paul Reisler, Carmen Allgood, "Chicago" Mike Beck, Michael Bowers, Ron Browning, Tim Burlingame, Chuck E. Costa, Ellis, Rebecca Folsom, Thomas Golubic, Jagoda, Jennifer "JJ" Jones, Diana Korpi, Arthur Lee Land, Terri Mazurek, Ryan Mintz, Kathy Moser, Bill Nash, Brendan Okrent, Siobhan Quinn, Justin Roth, Alan Rowoth, Kathrin Shorr, Maggie Simpson, Christopher Smith, Amy Speace, Annie Wenz
2008 Song School Instructors
Josh Ritter, Melissa Ferrick, Pat Pattison, Susan Werner, Steve Seskin, Vance Gilbert, Paul Reisler, Carmen Allgood, "Chicago" Mike Beck, Michael Bowers, Ron Browning, Tim Burlingame, Ellis, Rebecca Folsom, Jagoda, Jennifer JJ Jones, Arthur Lee Land, Terri Mazurek, Bill Nash, Brendan Okrent, Julie Portman, Siobhan Quinn, Justin Roth, Alan Rowoth, Kathrin Shorr, Moira Smiley, Amy Speace, and Annie Wenz.
2007 Song School Instructors
Peter Himmelman, Darrell Scott, Mary Gauthier, Zoe Lewis, Catie Curtis, Steve Seskin, Vance Gilbert, Arthur Lee Land, Moira Smiley, Annie Wenz, Rebecca Folsom, Ellis, Terri Mazurek, Alan Rowoth, Amy Speace, Kathrin Shorr, Tim Burlingame, Jennifer "JJ" Jones, Siobhan Quinn, Michael Bowers, Anna Wolfe, Justin Roth, Ben Wisch, Carmen Allgood, and "Chicago" Mike Beck.
