The Singer-Songwriter program at Interlochen Arts Academy provides a comprehensive curriculum in the discipline of popular music songwriting. Students will foster their own personal musical style while developing skills in melody, harmony, arranging and lyric-writing.
Instruction in piano, guitar and voice are also provided to further the student’s performance abilities. While the program is considered to be part of the music department, it draws on the resources of other departments, particularly the creative writing program.
Through their studies, students will prepare a personal portfolio of completed work to be used in all their future endeavors in performance, writing, composition, music production, music business, etc.
The core curriculum includes:
- Music theory
- Lyric-writing
- Private songwriting lessons
- Private lessons on piano, guitar or voice
- Group lessons
- Solo and group practice
- Coached performances
- Digital music composition
- Sound engineering
- Recording technique
- History of popular music
- Music business
Supporting classes include:
- Piano
- Guitar
- Voice
- Elements of Poetry
- Choir
- General Dance
- Theory and Musicianship
- Intro to Acting
Annual Project
Each student will be required to complete an annual project. Examples of possible projects include albums in which the student would contribute vocal or instrumental performance, writing (music or lyrics) or sound engineering / recording.
Faculty
Courtney Kaiser-Sandler
Instructor of Singer Songwriter, Interlochen Arts Academy
M.A., Elementary Education, Indiana University; B.A., World Vocal Music Performance, Indiana University