Songwriting Workshop with Clay Ross

In this free workshop, participants will explore how folk music traditions can serve as a foundation for original songwriting. Through guided exercises in storytelling, melody, and rhythm, students will learn how to draw inspiration from traditional songs while developing their own unique musical voices. By analyzing folk structures and themes, participants will gain tools to craft authentic and compelling original works.

We will cover:

• Songwriting
• Research
• Arranging

This free workshop is appropriate for music lovers of all ages. Please register using the checkout function so we know how many people to expect.

Clay Ross is a multi-Grammy® Award-winning artist and the founder of the Billboard chart-topping band Ranky Tanky. A native of South Carolina, Ross moved to NYC in 2002 and has since collaborated with artists as diverse as Gregory Porter, Snarky Puppy, and Bobby McFerrin. Through multiple collaborations with the U.S. State Department, he has toured worldwide as a Cultural Ambassador. As a teaching artist, through renowned cultural institutions including Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, Ross has facilitated a variety of musical experiences, ranging from stand-alone concerts to intensive year-long creative workshops designed to have a powerful impact on participants’ daily lives. Ross is the co-founder of Compose Your Career, an online course that teaches musicians how to create a sustainable career in the performing arts. He maintains a busy touring schedule with multiple projects including American Patchwork Quartet, who’s debut album was recently nominated for “Best Folk Album” at the 67th Grammy® Awards.