The schedule overview includes the full Song Camp Europe schedule of meals, breaks, open mics, song circles, the group excursion and other activities
Times, details and instructors are subject to change. The information posted reflects the most up-to-date information currently available. Outdoor activities are "weather permitting". Alternative locations will be announced for these activities if the weather is not cooperative.
2:00pm • Gather on the breakfast terrace for our excursion to Villa Sagramoso!
Due to the group excursion to Villa Sagramoso, no class sessions will be held on Thursday afternoon.
The group excursion to Villa Sagramoso is weather dependent! If the weather is not suitable on Thursday for our group excursion, Friday afternoon class sessions will take place on Thursday, and the group excursion will take place on Friday afternoon.
5:00 - 5:30pm: 30 minute mentoring sessions #1 (Carlos Alomar, Freebo, Matt Backer, Jenn Cleary, Alice Howe, Halley Neal, Sam Robbins, Chicago Mike Beck)
5:30 - 6:00pm: 30 minute mentoring sessions #2 (Carlos Alomar, Freebo, Matt Backer, Jenn Cleary, Alice Howe, Halley Neal, Sam Robbins, Chicago Mike Beck)
Play the Violin! with Rahel-Liis Aasrand Violin will be provided for your use during the class.
Music does not begin with rules. It begins with curiosity. For five days, Carlos Alomar invites you to explore music through story, collaboration, harmony, rhythm, songwriting and technology. Bring your ears, your experience, your questions and your willingness to play.
At Song Camp Europe this year, Carlos will be presenting a 5-day journey through imagination, collaboration, harmony, rhythm, songwriting and technology. He has presented an outline of this journey most eloquently in an online document entitled "From Instinct
to Intention" which you can view here.
King Root and the Kingdom of Numbers
The River of Rhythm and the Power Line
The Chord Family and the Mirror World
Welcome to Musicadium
What If? AI & Me
Carlos touches on the meaning of each of these mysterious titles in his "From Instinct
to Intention" document, but will dive deeply into each topic during his daily class sessions.
It's one thing to talk about co-writing, but actually observing the process from start to finish while watching two great songwriters with extensive co-writing experience is another thing altogether, and possibly the best way to really understand the dynamics and give-and-take needed for a productive co-writing session. Carlos Alomar and Freebo have both co-written extensively with other songwriters, although they've never written together (or even met before, for that matter!).
This "Shotgun Co-Write" will give you the opportunity to witness first-hand how two professional veteran songwriters approach a "blind date" co-write. Don't miss it - It's sure to be a revelation! Thursday morning, Sarah Jane Morris, Tony Rémy and Matt Backer will also be teaching a class on co-writing, which will include the opportunity to co-write with another fellow student.
In this workshop, Freebo will show you just how simply you can enrich your songs by changing the bass note of your chords.
Like all foundations, the bass note of a chord is what supports it, what defines the chord, and it’s what makes the chord sound the way it does. The chords of a song and how they go together are integral in the feel and the emotion of the music. And the bass note of the chord is also a very important choice for harmonizing the melody. Believe it or not, every single chord has 5 possibilities as to which bass note to choose. So whether you’re playing guitar, piano, or bass, you have the power to make any of these choices and thus change the entire feel of your song.
Start "thinking bottom up" and your music will become so much richer. It’s easy, and I’ll show you how!
It's one thing to talk about co-writing, but actually observing the process from start to finish while watching two great songwriters with extensive co-writing experience is another thing altogether, and possibly the best way to really understand the dynamics and give-and-take needed for a productive co-writing session. Carlos Alomar and Freebo have both co-written extensively with other songwriters, although they've never written together (or even met before, for that matter!).
This "Shotgun Co-Write" will give you the opportunity to witness first-hand how two professional veteran songwriters approach a "blind date" co-write. Don't miss it - It's sure to be a revelation! Thursday morning, Sarah Jane Morris, Tony Rémy and Matt Backer will also be teaching a class on co-writing, which will include the opportunity to co-write with another fellow student.
Are you tired of playing those same old boring “folk chords," tired of all your songs sounding the same? By simply putting on a partial capo, without retuning your guitar, Freebo will show you how to create beautiful new chord voicings, making your songs more interesting and rekindling that immense creative joy you know you can have when playing guitar. This will be an interactive workshop, so bring your guitar. Kyser Partial Capos will be available for workshop use or for purchase.
So many songwriting classes / workshops focus on lyrics... the poetry, the message, the imagery, the written language... and of course the lyrics are really important. I work really hard on mine. But lyrics alone are a poem, not a song. So in this 2-hour class, I'd like to focus primarily on the music; helping you find a strong melody that fits your lyrics, streamlining those lyrics so they suggest a simple rhythm, finding the chords that go with your new melody, simple alternate chords to make your song more interesting and musically compelling, and finally creating a chorus, the most important part of your song, the element that stays with the listener....the HOOK! Seems like a lot to accomplish in such a short amount of time....but "If Not Now, When?" Let's get started!
In this interactive workshop, Freebo will have you play and sing your song, show you what’s working, what’s not working, and he will give you gentle, nurturing, supportive, and helpful hints and ideas (“doctor”) on how to make your song better without changing its inherent essence. You’ll be surprised how a few “Freebo tweaks” can take your song to a whole different level!
You've written some great songs, you've learned how to play and sing them, and now you're ready to record them. Here comes the next question: how will you pay for the project? In this one-hour session, Alice will take you through the ins and outs of Kickstarter, from the planning stages to launching, publicizing, and running your campaign, communicating with backers, and fulfilling rewards. Alice has run three successful Kickstarter campaigns, raising as much as $50K at one time, and she loves to share all she’s learned about the power of crowdfunding.
Painting With Words: Writing Lyrics That Go Deeper
The great challenge and the great beauty of songwriting is that you have just 3 - 4 minutes to tell your story. Unlike in a poem or a novel, space is extremely limited, and as songwriters we’re faced with the task of painting a picture in a chorus, a handful of verses, and perhaps a bridge. Alice is a lifelong lover of lyrics, and in this class we'll explore the beauty and power of lyrics from many angles, such as: how to begin writing and where to find inspiration, how to use metaphors, how to avoid cliches, and how to craft lyrics that communicate clearly so that your audience connects deeply with your words.
Singing From The Heart: Cultivating Style & Performance Skills
What makes a singer compelling? How can you fully embody your voice, both on stage and in the studio? In this workshop, we will explore the elements that take a vocal performance from good to great such as: how to warm up, how to sink into the emotion of the lyrics, how to breathe, the importance of phrasing and articulation, and more. This workshop is for singers of all levels, and it's all about sinking more fully into your unique voice and learning how to use it with conviction and confidence.
When you write a song, the choices you make in terms of chords, melody, and lyrics all have a major impact on how the finished song sounds. But have you considered phrasing, or HOW you sing each line? Phrasing is an often-overlooked but - in our opinion - critically important piece of what makes a song and a performance (in studio or on stage) compelling! Alice & Freebo will show you how your phrasing choices impact your lyrics and how to make small tweaks that will make your songs shine! Bring your song - we’ll have a chance to work with at least a few lines of each student’s song.
Going into the studio to record and produce a record is not simply about the recording itself. There’s a lot of very important preparation or “Pre-production" that I find is necessary for a successful experience and recording. First and foremost, it’s about the song itself…the writing, the arrangement, the key, and the tempo. Secondly, it’s about getting the right producer and musicians to work with who can translate your musical vision into a reality. Freebo has worked with some of the greatest musicians and artists in the world, has worked at the very best and the worst studios in the world, and will help you prepare your song for recording, answering all your questions and giving you helpful hints you would never have thought of.
This workshop is about framing a vocal with the most effective instrumental accompaniment. Playing guitar behind yourself or playing bass, guitar, or keyboard behind someone else involve the same principles; LISTENING, AWARENESS, SENSITIVITY, and AN INHERENT RESPECT FOR THE SONG and the SINGER, never stepping on the vocal in volume, tone, or busyness, yet keeping it interesting at the same time. Whether you're a solo singer/songwriter, in a duo or trio, or a sideman, this workshop will give you tools and a new awareness to make your song or anyone else's sound better by playing the right music behind it, both live and on recordings. The workshop will be interactive with specific examples as well as critiques of the willing, so bring your instrument. Don’t worry, we’ll be gentle and nurturing!
In this group vocal workshop, I’ll teach simple and real ways to navigate singing techniques to ensure that students walk away with tools they can use to find their true voice. Using techniques I’ve gathered from years of vocal training - including my four years as a Vocal Performance major at Berklee College of Music - along with the experience I’ve gathered from years of full time touring at venues both big and small (festival stages to unplugged house concerts,) to teach valuable tips and tricks to make students’ singing feel easier and freer. A more intentional perspective on singing is not only important to the vocal health of a singer, but also enhances a performer’s stage performance, songwriting, and overall confidence. Three simple tricks make the world of difference in any singer of any performance level, and they are what I swear by myself when performing - breath support, vowels, and pronunciation.
We’ll start with a group sing, emphasizing my three lesson points, and then move into workshopping individual students in front of the class to showcase the drastic difference that can be seen in a vocalist by adjusting just a few things!
Finding Inspiration OFF Stage / Finding Inspiration ON Stage
Class 1: Finding Inspiration Off Stage
Class 2: Finding Inspiration On Stage
Creativity can sometimes feel overwhelming and vulnerable. This class will start with a lesson on finding songwriting inspiration in everyday life with some parameters we can look at to break down our emotions and thoughts to create specific song ideas. I’ll lead the class in some object writing and offer prompts that can encourage new and simple ways of looking at songwriting.
I’ll also reveal one of my tried and true songwriting techniques: the art of “showing” and not “telling.”
Then, I’ll dive into stage performance techniques and ways to feel inspired and empowered on stage. I’ll introduce my favorite tips that capture and hold the attention of an audience. With the help of students who are willing to try out my techniques in front of the class, I’ll demonstrate the nuances of connecting to your own song and how that, in turn, allows you to connect with your audience.
During this lesson, I’ll reference my experience as a full-time independent artist in the current touring world, and how I personally navigate finding my own inspiration!
NOTE: This class works as a two-parter, the first being “Finding Inspiration OFF Stage” and the second “Finding Inspiration ON Stage.” With the same core idea of “feeling inspired,” the first class details ways to find inspiration while writing songs and fighting writers block while the second covers on-stage inspiration and confidence, audience connection, and other tips and tricks.
Offsetting Your Songs: Tactics to Give Your Songs Maximum Impact
If you’re a performer, I’m sure you’ve felt it – you’re
playing a set, and some songs just grab people and hold their
attention, while some just DON’T, no matter how great they
are! The lyrics might be very passionate and honest, the
melodies and chords might be amazing, and still, people just
tune out.
But every once in a while, a song will grab an audience and
just not let go. I found this first with two of my own early songs,
which I will go into specifically in the workshop. These were the
first songs of mine that anybody actually liked!
It felt like magic - so I set out to discover WHY these songs
were having such a greater impact than everything else I had
written. Was it truly just “song magic” as we like to think??
Some ethereal energy in the music and lyrics that just grabs
people?
After years of analyzing, I found that with these songs,
there were very clear and observable tactics, used both
consciously and subconsciously, that had made audiences not
able to turn away. Once I discovered this, I started looking
around and found these techniques being used in so many songs
that I love!
I found that listeners want to be comfortable, but not TOO
comfortable. They want to feel “held” by the performer and
songwriter, but they don’t want it all to be too predictable.
There are very simple techniques that are used in many great
songs to keep the listener on their toes, but comfortable.
The use of these techniques, which are not complicated,
were a mind blowing revelation to me. Ever since, I’ve used
these tactics that I call “offsetting” to help with writing, editing
and performing my own songs, and I want to help you!
SO! Let’s dive in to the three different tools that you can
use to “offset” your songs to help keep audiences engaged in
your songs and performances.
If you play guitar, you probably know about Barre chords.
They’re a good thing to learn – it builds up strength in your
hands because you have to hold down ALL the strings at once –
it allows for a strong chord to ring out. They’re great!
Except...
I’ve found that they are limiting. There is a whole world of
chords and chord voicings just waiting for you outside of Barre
chords, chord voicings that allow for a much freer hand and a lot
more FUN on the guitar. You can go up the neck and really
experience the full voice that your guitar has to offer.
These voicings are built around simple, three note
groupings, called triads, that go up the neck in a specific pattern.
So much of my playing these days is built around these triads.
Once I learned these simple shapes up the neck, I started
messing with them – changing one note at a time and seeing how
it sounded.
Learning these building blocks and seeing how they
interlock blew my mind and allowed me to play up the neck on
the guitar. It completely opened up my playing and my hand to be SO much more free... I never looked back, and I don’t think
you will either!
I have a diagram of the triads and how they interlock, and
we’ll go over this diagram and talk in depth about these shapes
up the neck in this workshop!
In "Finesse Your Fulcrum," I'm going to show you why your right hand is the true powerhouse of your guitar playing and the ultimate keeper of the groove. While your left hand handles the mechanics of chords and melody, I've always found that your right hand dictates the feel, tone, and magic that makes a song truly work. We'll examine the varied right-hand techniques of legendary players—from the floating fingerstyle of James Taylor to the exacting flatpicking of Billy Strings—to see exactly why maintaining a consistent, deep groove is the single most important element of any performance.
To help you achieve that consistency, we'll focus on a core concept I call "limiting your fulcrums." Because our hands and arms have so many moving joints, using too much motion can quickly lead to tension, poor tone, and a lost groove. I'll share practical, methodical advice for both fingerpicking and flatpicking—like powering your fingerstyle from your first knuckles or driving your flatpicking from a stable wrist—to help you eliminate unnecessary movement. Through slow, focused practice, we'll work on balancing rigidity and looseness so you can refine your touch and lock into an unbreakable groove that lets your songs shine.
Harmony in Action: From Workshop to Stage, with Tony Rémy
Join acclaimed vocalist Sarah Jane Morris and virtuoso guitarist Tony Rémy (Jack Bruce, Annie Lennox) for an immersive, two-hour masterclass dedicated to the art of building and arranging three-part harmonies. This hands-on session is designed for singers and musicians eager to explore the mechanics of vocal blending, chordal structure, and dynamic arrangement. Under the expert guidance of Sarah and Tony, participants will collaboratively arrange one or two selected songs, transforming them into rich, multi-layered vocal pieces.
The learning doesn't stop in the rehearsal room, as this class is built entirely around live application. After perfecting the arrangements during the class session on Wednesday afternoon, the participants will take the stage together at Wednesday evening's open mic performance to debut their work. It’s a unique opportunity to experience the thrill of bringing a freshly arranged harmony to life in front of a receptive, supportive and attentive audience.
Co-writing is one of the most powerful tools in a songwriter's arsenal, but it can also be one of the most intimidating. When you step into a room with other writers, you're bringing your own unique strengths—whether that's a gift for melody, a notebook full of lyrics, or a killer groove—and learning how to blend them with someone else's vision. Between the three of us, we’ve spent decades collaborating, writing, and performing together and with artists all over the world. In this class, we're going to share the secrets of a successful co-write and show you how to leave your ego at the door so the best idea in the room always wins.
We’ll walk you through the practical steps of starting a collaborative session from scratch, whether you're bringing in a half-finished song or just a single word. We'll explore how to navigate creative disagreements, how to communicate your ideas clearly, and how to lean on your co-writers' strengths when you hit a creative wall. Through live demonstrations and interactive exercises, we'll help you break out of your usual songwriting habits and discover the magic that happens when you trust the collaborative process. By the end of our time together, you'll be ready to jump into any writing room with confidence.
Jenn will be available daily throughout the week, offering one-on-one mentoring sessions that will leave you inspired, elevated and prepared to take on the next steps in the development of your life and career as a songwriter, recording artist and performer. She's the guru to the gurus! Spend some time with Jenn -- You'll be so glad you did!
Please RELEASE ME! Current Best Practices for Releasing Music with Maximum Impact, with Chicago Mike Beck
Musicians releasing new music today are faced with a bewildering array of options, challenges, choices and chores: Album vs EP vs singles? Videos? Which one of the 20+ distributors to use? On which streaming service(s) should you focus? On which social media platform(s) should you promote your new release? Radio – Is anybody listening? DIY vs hiring someone? And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Ugh!!!
In this workshop, Jenn Cleary and "Chicago" Mike Beck will walk you through step-by-step current best practices for sharing your new music with the world. Releasing music in 2023 is nothing like it used to be and the process, marketplace, opportunities and best practices are continuously evolving for the independent singer-songwriter.
What are the best ways to get your music to "rise above the noise", get heard by the largest possible audience and impact your music career with the most positive possible outcomes? This workshop will outline the realities of how to share your music in this brave new world and give you an action plan that will eliminate the mysteries, misunderstandings and mis-steps, helping you maximize the impact of your new music.
All Ages Welcome: Bringing Children's Songs Into Your Repertoire
You don’t have to be a children’s musician to include songs for kids and families in your repertoire. This class explores how singer-songwriters can create and incorporate family-friendly music while staying true to their own musical style. We’ll look at what makes a song connect with both kids and adults, where these songs can create new performance opportunities, and how they can fit into live shows, recordings, and even sync licensing. Come ready to think beyond the traditional “kids’ song” and discover how writing for all ages can expand your creativity, your audience, and your opportunities.
Studio Guzzo is ready to go! A-list session musician and producer Matt Backer alongside studio engineers Scott Munson and Tommy Mitoraj will record one of your original songs with you.
SPACE IS VERY LIMITED FOR THIS CLASS AND REQUIRES ADVANCE SIGN-UP AND SUBMISSION OF SONG MATERIALS! To request a reservation for this class, email info@songcampeurope.com. You will be notified if your reservation is accepted. Students who are not accepted for this class will be put on the waiting list in the order in which their reservation requests were received. Limited opportunities for "Session Observers" are available.
Co-writing is one of the most powerful tools in a songwriter's arsenal, but it can also be one of the most intimidating. When you step into a room with other writers, you're bringing your own unique strengths—whether that's a gift for melody, a notebook full of lyrics, or a killer groove—and learning how to blend them with someone else's vision. Between the three of us, we’ve spent decades collaborating, writing, and performing together and with artists all over the world. In this class, we're going to share the secrets of a successful co-write and show you how to leave your ego at the door so the best idea in the room always wins.
We’ll walk you through the practical steps of starting a collaborative session from scratch, whether you're bringing in a half-finished song or just a single word. We'll explore how to navigate creative disagreements, how to communicate your ideas clearly, and how to lean on your co-writers' strengths when you hit a creative wall. Through live demonstrations and interactive exercises, we'll help you break out of your usual songwriting habits and discover the magic that happens when you trust the collaborative process. By the end of our time together, you'll be ready to jump into any writing room with confidence.
From Prompt to Song: You Will Write A Song Today, with Chicago Mike Beck
Mike and I are excited to guide you through this hands-on song prompt workshop and writing session!
The concept is simple but powerful: We’ll offer you a choice between two different song prompts, which will serve as your jumping-off point for a timed writing session. You can fly solo or team up with a co-writer — whatever feels right for you.
The prompt isn’t a strict rule -- it’s simply a doorway into your creative process. We’ll spend most of the session writing, letting the creative energy of the camp inspire us, before returning at the end of the session to reflect on the experience.
Perhaps our biggest piece of advice: leave your inner editor at the door.
Give yourself permission to write freely. Follow the themes, images and ideas that naturally spark your imagination. Don’t worry about getting it right. This is about embracing the messy, imperfect first draft — and discovering where it might lead.
Then, on Saturday, the final day of Song Camp classes, we’ll come together for Part 2: our Song Share circle, where everyone will have the opportunity to share what they wrote. Whether you end up with a fully structured song or a brave, half-finished verse, this class is all about giving yourself the dedicated time and permission to create without overthinking. Whatever you bring, it’s all welcome.
We were inspired to offer this workshop by Hope Dunbar, an amazing songwriter and the host of the songwriting podcast Prompt Queens. Mike attended Hope’s brilliant song prompt workshop at the Little Grassy Songwriting Retreat in Southern Illinois last February, and found it exhilirating, fun and only a little terrifying! But facing his fears, Mike crafted a song that had everybody singing along by the second chorus and he was surprised and frankly blown away by the amazing songs everyone shared that day.
Have you always wanted to play the violin but felt intimidated to start? In "Play the Violin!", I'm going to show you that picking up this beautiful instrument can be incredibly fun and accessible for absolutely anyone.
In these focused, 30-minute sessions, we will start from the very beginning. I’ll walk you through the fundamentals of posture, how to properly hold the violin and grip the bow, and the technique for drawing your very first clear notes. Whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned songwriter taking a quick break from your primary instrument, this class is a relaxed, low-pressure way to explore the violin. My goal is to get you comfortable with the instrument and actually making music by the end of our short time together.
Please RELEASE ME! Current Best Practices for Releasing Music with Maximum Impact, with Jenn Cleary
Musicians releasing new music today are faced with a bewildering array of options, challenges, choices and chores: Album vs EP vs singles? Videos? Which one of the 20+ distributors to use? On which streaming service(s) should you focus? On which social media platform(s) should you promote your new release? Radio – Is anybody listening? DIY vs hiring someone? And that's just the tip of the iceberg! Ugh!!!
In this workshop, Jenn Cleary and "Chicago" Mike Beck will walk you through step-by-step current best practices for sharing your new music with the world. Releasing music in 2023 is nothing like it used to be and the process, marketplace, opportunities and best practices are continuously evolving for the independent singer-songwriter.
What are the best ways to get your music to "rise above the noise", get heard by the largest possible audience and impact your music career with the most positive possible outcomes? This workshop will outline the realities of how to share your music in this brave new world and give you an action plan that will eliminate the mysteries, misunderstandings and mis-steps, helping you maximize the impact of your new music.
From Prompt to Song: You Will Write A Song Today, with Rahel-Liis Aasrand
Rahel and I are excited to guide you through this hands-on song prompt workshop and writing session!
The concept is simple but powerful: We’ll offer you a choice between two different song prompts, which will serve as your jumping-off point for a timed writing session. You can fly solo or team up with a co-writer — whatever feels right for you.
The prompt isn’t a strict rule -- it’s simply a doorway into your creative process. We’ll spend most of the session writing, letting the creative energy of the camp inspire us, before returning at the end of the session to reflect on the experience.
Perhaps our biggest piece of advice: leave your inner editor at the door.
Give yourself permission to write freely. Follow the themes, images and ideas that naturally spark your imagination. Don’t worry about getting it right. This is about embracing the messy, imperfect first draft — and discovering where it might lead.
Then, on Saturday, the final day of Song Camp classes, we’ll come together for Part 2: our Song Share circle, where everyone will have the opportunity to share what they wrote. Whether you end up with a fully structured song or a brave, half-finished verse, this class is all about giving yourself the dedicated time and permission to create without overthinking. Whatever you bring, it’s all welcome.
We were inspired to offer this workshop by Hope Dunbar, an amazing songwriter and the host of the songwriting podcast Prompt Queens. I attended Hope’s brilliant song prompt workshop at the Little Grassy Songwriting Retreat in Southern Illinois last February, and found it exhilirating, fun and only a little terrifying! But facing my fears, I crafted a song that had everybody singing along by the second chorus and I was surprised and frankly blown away by the amazing songs everyone shared that day.
Times, class offerings, details and instructors are subject to change. The information posted reflects the most up-to-date information currently available. Outdoor activities are "weather permitting". Alternative locations will be announced for these activities if the weather is not cooperative.
