2025 Songwriters Summer Workshop
Dates
Monday, June 16 - Friday, June 27 (no sessions Saturday June 21 and Sunday June 22).
Online via Zoom
Hours (may be subject to minor changes)
Noon - 5:00 pm (hours subject to minor changes).
Please note: most of the songwriting/collaboration takes place outside of Workshop hours.
Format
Via Zoom (following our successful remote 2024 Workshop), including breakout sessions of small groups.
We expect three groups of 18 Participants, each.
Ages
15 and up
Application Process
Applications open: January 31, 2025
Application deadline: April 1, 2025
Decisions expected by May 5, 2025
APPLICATION FOR 2025 WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.
Tuition Fees
Application fee: $50.00
Tuition: $1,825.00 (includes $100.00 University administrative fee)
Portfolio Submission
(Please follow the directions on the application)
• Audio files of three (3) songs to which you have significantly contributed. (The quality of the recording/performance is irrelevant.)
• Lyrics to the same three (3) songs.
• An explanation of your contribution to the three songs (melody, lyrics, chords, rhythm, etc.) and information about any collaborators with whom you wrote them.
• Information about the role of anyone who helped you produce the recordings you’re submitting.
• A resume or CV, with a focus on your musical activity.
• A headshot or similar photograph.
Apply to join this unique experience
The NYU Summer Songwriters Workshop is a world renowned two-week intensive dedicated to the art and craft of creating words and music and the ideal marriage of both. Led by GRAMMY®-nominated songwriter Phil Galdston (Workshop Artistic Director and Director of NYU Songwriting) and featuring a faculty of acclaimed songwriters expert in a wide variety of musical genres, the workshop will provide in-depth presentations and hands-on exploration of a wide variety of skills, tools, and strategies essential for working songwriters. It features extensive collaboration, peer review, and crucial information about the rights of music creators.
A maximum of 54 Participants will be accepted and placed in three groups, each led by a minimum of two faculty members. During the ten days of sessions, Participants will hone their craft through:
- targeted songwriting assignments
- assigned collaborations
- detailed analysis of the tools used by the great songwriters
- daily professional and peer-to-peer critiques of their work in-progress.
Integral aspects of the business from the perspective of the music creator will be presented. The Workshop concludes with our SongShare, a performance of work created during our two weeks together.
Auditors
The Workshop is also open to Auditors, and while their work is not critiqued, they're able to attend all sessions, events, and performances.
Faculty
DANA CALITRI: singer, multi-platinum songwriter, and teacher. Songs recorded by Chris Daughtry, Halestorm, Dream, Jessica Andrews, Donna Summer, and many others. As a singer, Dana has worked with artists like Celine Dion, Fergie, Marc Anthony, Elton John, and Cher.
JACQUELINE (TIGER) DARROW: award-winning singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer. Production credits include Dezi’s “Chaos Mode” and Rachel Bochner’s “Ghosted My Therapist.” Vocal and cellist credits include Kanye West, Durand Jones and the Indications, Alexander Stewart, L’Rain, Alex Warren, Maddie Zahm, Jordy, and Will Jay. Her voice/music have been featured in numerous soundtracks and commercials, including Cathy Yan's award-winning Dead Pigs. She’s opened for such artists as Edie Brickell and The New Bohemians, The Eagles, and Erykah Badu, and as a sideman for Cautious Clay, Laufey, Durand Jones and The Indications, Lauv, Rachel Platten, Zack Villere, Camille Trust and Wakey!Wakey!
BARRY EASTMOND: one of the most prolific R&B/Pop songwriter/producers, with songs and production on over 60 gold, platinum, and multi-platinum albums and sales of over 80,000,000 records.
PHIL GALDSTON: GRAMMY®-nominated, award-winning songwriter/producer. Over 175,000,000 copies of his work appear on more than 110,000,000 recordings and in countless film and television projects. The founder and Director of NYU Songwriting, he was the first member of its songwriting faculty and the first Faculty Songwriter-in-Residence in NYU's history.
OSKARI NURMINEN: Songwriter, composer, and producer recognized by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, The Recording Academy, and the International Songwriting Competition. He has extensive catalogs with Universal Production Music as well as 4 Elements Music, and his music can be heard on television networks across the world including the BBC and ABC.
MAIA SHARP: songwriter, recording artist, and producer; songs recorded by Paul Carrack, Cher, The Dixie Chicks, Art Garfunkel, Lisa Loeb, Edwin McCain, Keb' Mo', Bonnie Raitt, Trisha Yearwood, and on her own solo albums.
DAVID WOLFERT: GRAMMY and EMMY-nominated composer, arranger, songwriter, orchestrator, producer and instrumentalist. Songs recorded by Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Dolly Parton, Dusty Springfield, the Four Tops, Cher, and Julio Iglesias Jr.
They made me feel for the first time that I truly am a songwriter and that a life in the music industry is possible.
I learned more about songwriting in two weeks than I would've ever imagined learning in a lifetime.
I learned so many new techniques and ways to approach writing songs. My time management skills definitely improved and I can't wait to use all of these new tools for my future career in songwriting!
The faculty was very helpful and honest. The music industry is risky as it is and it was useful to get true feedback from professionals to prepare us for the real world.
I only wish it was longer.
A great environment encouraging creativity… made everyone feel free to express themselves and go out of their comfort zone.
Audition Requirements
Applicants should submit:
- recordings of 3 songs to which you have significantly contributed;
- lyrics to the 3 songs you submit;
- a detailed description of your contribution to each song submitted;
- a summary of your songwriting experience and goals.
The format of audio recordings should be: .mp3, .mp4A, or .AAC A song entitled "My Song" that is submitted should be labeled YOURNAME_My_Song.mp3 (or mp4A or AAC). The format of all the additional documents should be: .pdf, .doc, or .docx
PLEASE NOTE: The quality of the recording and/or performance is irrelevant. This is a workshop focused on Songwriting, not on performance.
Contact Us
Songwriting
nyusongwriting@nyu.edu
Academic Content
Phil Galdston
Director of Songwriting
nyusongwriting@nyu.edu