Songwriting Workshop

How to Enroll

Submit your registration by May 1.* Begin by submitting your registration online. If applicable, you may need to submit additional supporting materials.
Make your tuition payment by May 1.* All programs have limited capacity, so be sure to complete your full tuition payment to reserve your space in the program.
Request housing by May 1. Students who are 15 years of age or older by the start of their Boston-based program are eligible to stay in on-campus housing. If you meet the eligibility requirements and have indicated that you would like to request on-campus housing, please revisit your registration portal and submit a Residence Hall Agreement.

*Please note: This program has limited capacity. Submission of registration materials alone does not guarantee participation in the program. You will secure your spot by paying in full.

Curriculum

At the workshop, you will participate in the following core classes throughout the week.

Songwriting class: In this class taught by our renowned Songwriting Department faculty, you will explore song form, melody, lyrics, and chord progressions.
Mentoring group: Mentors are Berklee alumni who have been handpicked for their talent, their dedication to craft, and their ability to give compassionate and specific feedback as they help orient students to their first Berklee experience.
Visiting artist presentation: Every year, we ask visiting artists to share their experiences in the industry as songwriters. Topics range from songwriting techniques and improving your artistry to business tips and career advice. Previous visiting artists include Wrabel, Kara DioGuardi, and Will Dailey.

Students will choose three required electives and have the option to take three additional electives as well. Each participant will rank their topic preferences before starting the program. The following list of electives gives you a sense of what to expect:

Writer Camp (two electives)
Singer-Songwriter Workshop
Working with a Band (three electives)
Introduction to Production for Songwriters (two electives)
DIY Singer-Songwriter
Write a Song in 90 Minutes
Stage Performance Workshop
Hip-Hop Songwriting
Topline Writing for Pop, R&B, and EDM
Vocal Techniques for Songwriters
Guitar Style for Songwriters
Keyboard Styles for Songwriters
Songwriting for Film and TV
Improvisation Workshop
Mailbox Money: Making a Living with Your Music
Marketing and Media for Songwriters
Intermediate/Advanced Harmony for Songwriters (two electives)
Contemporary Musical Theater Writing

Schedule

Below is a sample of a typical day in the program.

Time	Event
8 AM–8:50 AM	Breakfast
9 AM–10:20 AM	Mentoring group or songwriting class
10:30 AM–11:50 AM	Mentoring group or songwriting class
12 PM–1 PM	Lunch
1 PM–2:20 PM	Visiting artist presentation
2:30 PM–3:50 PM	Elective or master class
4 PM–5:20 PM	Elective
5:30 PM–7 PM	Dinner
7 PM–9:30 PM	Open mics

Schedule subject to change.

Performance Opportunities

Students have the opportunity to perform in multiple open mics throughout the program.

Requirements

General Requirements

All students 15 and older with some background in songwriting are welcome to attend.

Participants must possess a proficient level of English to enroll in this program. We do not require proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) as part of the enrollment or application process; however, you are expected to have a sufficient command of the English language to understand class material and assignments.

Required Materials

Notebook: Be sure to bring a notebook or have some other way to save your ideas—you will have lots of them.
Completed song (optional): If you wish to showcase a song during the workshop, you may bring a recording or prepare a performance. Typed lyrics or a lead sheet are also necessary to supplement a completed song. A lead sheet consists of the melody transcribed on staff paper, with the lyrics below and the chord symbols above the melody.
Your instrument (optional): If you choose to bring your instrument, please also bring any accessories (capo, tuner, strap, etc.) you may wish to have, and label them with your name and phone number.

Program Director

Valerie Orth

Assistant Professor

Visiting Artist

Nicolle Horbath

Nicolle Horbath is a Colombian singer-songwriter who blends jazz, pop, and the rich sounds of the Caribbean and Latin America. A Berklee College of Music graduate in film scoring and songwriting, she gained recognition with her debut EP, De Magia Imperfecta, which earned her two Latin Grammy nominations in 2024. Horbath has collaborated with artists such as Carlos Vives, Juanes, and Camilo, establishing herself as a rising voice in contemporary Latin music.
Rob Grimaldi

Rob Grimaldi is a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated songwriter and producer recognized for his diverse musical background and versatile production style. Proficient in piano, drums, and saxophone, and equipped with advanced programming skills, he draws from classical, jazz, and pop influences to craft distinctive sounds across genres. His combination of technical skill and creative range has led to collaborations with artists in markets around the world.
Tayla Parx

Tayla Parx is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, artist, and entrepreneur whose work has earned over 6 billion streams and includes chart-topping hits for Ariana Grande, Panic! At The Disco, and Dan + Shay. She is the founder of TaylaMade, Inc., a creative company encompassing music, publishing, and studio ventures, and was named to Forbes 30 Under 30 for her impact across industries. In 2024, she released her third studio album, Many Moons, Many Suns, further cementing her reputation as a versatile and influential voice in music.

Once You've Enrolled

The Berklee Summer Programs Team is excited that you've taken the first step! Now that you've enrolled, here's what to know, to be sure you're prepared before and after you check in for the experience of a lifetime.

What to do first?

Important: continually check the email you used to enroll

Please regularly check the email you used to enroll in your program for important updates. A detailed check-in email, containing information about your assigned arrival location, housing assignment (if applicable), and program schedule, will be sent one to two weeks before your program's start date.

Request on-campus housing

On-campus housing is limited, and spaces will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis based on the completion of the following steps:

Read, sign, and submit the residence hall agreement on the registration portal.
The Summer Programs team will review your signed residence hall agreement within 3-5 business days. After review, we will send you an email inviting you to return to the registration portal to view your on-campus housing decision letter.
If your request has been approved, secure your spot by accepting your offer and paying the housing fee in full.

Important Considerations

For students enrolled in multiple programs, please complete a separate residence hall agreement (along with the accompanying housing fee payment) for each program.
To be eligible to request on-campus housing, a student must be 15 years of age before the start of their program.
If a student is under the age of 18, the request for on-campus housing must be filled out by a parent/guardian, and both the student and parent/guardian must agree to all the terms and conditions.
Applicants for Musical Theater Acting Intensive (MTAI) and Vocal/Choral Intensive (VCI) must first be offered admission and accept their offer before their residence hall agreement submission will be considered.
Since space in our residence halls is limited, a spot in our residence halls will only be guaranteed once a student has fully registered for their chosen program and paid the program tuition in full. Any housing requests or payments made before the completion of both these steps do not ensure a guaranteed place in on-campus housing.

Learn more about housing and campus life by exploring the Help Center.

Request accessibility accommodations (if needed)

Accommodations are provided for students with documented medical needs, offering services such as academic accommodations, academic coaching, special housing arrangements, dietary adjustments, and referrals to on-campus support, including adaptive technology and tutoring.

Accommodations are determined through an interactive process involving the student, faculty, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, a dietitian, and Accessibility Resources for Students staff. Requests for academic, housing, and dietary accommodations can be made by following the steps outlined in this Help Center article.

Complete These Tasks by June

Complete the items in your Magnus Health account by June 1

We require up-to-date health information, documentation for the required immunizations mandated by Massachusetts law, as well as conduct and consent forms for all students. Instructions on accessing your Magnus Health account will be sent via email to all registered students in mid-spring.

If you have more questions you can review our help center. Here are some articles that might be helpful:

Submit a photo for your ID by June 1

Students participating in a Boston-based Summer Program will receive an ID card upon arrival at Berklee. This card provides access to campus facilities and, if you have chosen to reside in our residence halls, it also allows entry to the dining hall. Please submit a photo for your ID by June 1. If you do not upload a photo, one will be taken upon your arrival on campus.

Prepare to Arrive and Check In

What to pack if you’re staying on campus

All of our on-campus residence halls follow a standard college-style layout, with each room equipped with a closet, bed, and desk for each resident.

Students staying in a Berklee residence hall should bring the following items:

Bedding (sheets, pillow, pillowcase, blanket) for an extra-long twin bed (36 inches by 80 inches)
Towels (bath towels, washcloths, hand towels, etc.)
Toiletries

We also recommend bringing the following:

Alarm clock
Clothes hangers
Earplugs
Extra spending money for snacks, drinks, or public transportation (costs for Berklee-coordinated events will be covered by the school; students are responsible for additional expenses during events)
Headphones
Laptop computer, tablet device, cell phone, etc., including chargers
Laundry detergent and quarters (coin-based laundry facilities available in every residence hall, although we recommend bringing quarters)
Plastic bin for storing snacks or food
Prescription/first-aid needs
Small refrigerator
Sunscreen
Sunglasses
Umbrella
Water bottle
A fan

Items available upon request from the resident advisor's office:

Basic cleaning supplies
Games
Movies
Toilet paper (for private bathrooms)
Vacuum cleaners

The following items are not allowed in a student’s residence hall room:

Candles/incense
Weapons
Cooking appliances (hot pots, toaster ovens, grills, popcorn makers, or anything with a visible heating element, etc.)
Air conditioners
Bicycles
Futons, chairs, couches, or any other non-Berklee-issued furniture
Wall hangings
Pets (including fish)
Halogen lamps and holiday lights

Download the Guidebook app

A few days before your program starts, you will receive instructions to download the Guidebook app. This app enables you to access your program schedule and connect with fellow Summer Programs students.

Getting to campus, parking, and hotels nearby

Access the Summer Programs Help Center

Explore some of these top articles from the Summer Programs Help Center.