Natalia Zukerman at Esalen Institute

In this workshop, songwriters from beginners to pros, are all welcome. Critically-acclaimed songwriters and heart-based changemakers Glen Phillips and Emily Saliers will be joined by guest teacher Natalia Zukerman to support participants in an immersive exploration of the transformative power of song.

Through participatory activities and moments of reflection, we will be encouraged to pay attention to both structural technique and spiritual resonance to discover how emergence in the songwriting process may produce surprising results. Drawing creative inspiration from individual/collective experience and the wonders of the natural world, the use of imagery in songwriting will be woven into the process....

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In this workshop, songwriters from beginners to pros, are all welcome. Critically-acclaimed songwriters and heart-based changemakers Glen Phillips and Emily Saliers will be joined by guest teacher Natalia Zukerman to support participants in an immersive exploration of the transformative power of song.

Through participatory activities and moments of reflection, we will be encouraged to pay attention to both structural technique and spiritual resonance to discover how emergence in the songwriting process may produce surprising results. Drawing creative inspiration from individual/collective experience and the wonders of the natural world, the use of imagery in songwriting will be woven into the process.

We will create together and alone and be invited to share our new songs or song beginnings with the greater group. If you have a portable instrument, we recommend you bring it along.

This workshop is part of a property-wide musical event, called Courting the Muse.

Courting the Muse: A Week of Singing and Songwriting at Esalen offers an experiential immersion and playground of music, exploring singing and songwriting as spiritual practices and tools in service to our collective healing and transformation. Participants select from one of two workshop focuses: songwriting with GRAMMY-award-winning Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls and Glen Phillips of Toad the Wet Sprocket or singing in community with MaMuse, Lisa G. Littlebird and friends. The two groups will join together in the evenings for creative play, singing and sharing. The culture will be one of inspiration and collaboration, inviting a deep dive into the sea of questions evoked by the state of our world today.

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