Robin's Songwriting/CD Recording Programs

A WOMAN'S VOICE SONGWRITING/CD RECORDING WORKSHOP

The goal of A Woman's Voice is to provide a way for participants to tap into their own inner healing capabilities through creative self-expression using the elements of lyrics put to music. The women will learn to have faith in their innate abilities and to trust themselves and others by learning and creating in a supportive environment that enables them to freely express what is on their minds and in their hearts.

These programs involve creativity and music. They effect positive change among people who have experienced trauma. The workshops are essentially a talking cure with music. We focus on collaborative writing within a group with special emphasis on songwriting as a means to joy and self-empowerment. Participants have an opportunity to tell their story, and their experience is heard and validated by group members. This program can be intergenerational, and the CD which will be produced can be used for fundraising events.

These crucial ingredients exist in A Woman's Voice:

• Community
  Non-existent at the start of program but is built slowly and powerfully over the many weeks.
• Understanding + Compassion
  It comes slowly as women share, express similar experiences and truly show caring for one another.
  
• Permission to Tell
  As each woman dares to share a little deeper, so does the next woman. Where truth is allowed, healing exists powerfully when added to empathy/compassion/support and community, as already mentioned.
• Support
  The support is self-evident but needs to be mentioned as a separate entity.
• Play
  Powerful and Unexplainable.

Programs:

• 2 week 2 hour songwriting/recording workshop (group song first week, recording second week. Each participant will be mailed a CD of the song.) $500. Add $200 if more than an hour away from my home in Western MA.
• 6 week 2 hour songwriting/recording workshop (2-3 songs written first 3-4 weeks, recording weeks 4-6. Participants will be mailed CD of songs.) $1500. Add $500 if more than an hour away from my home in Western MA.
• 12 week workshop up to 8 people writing and recording 8 individual songs. $3500. Add $1000 if more than an hour away from my home in Western MA.

What people are saying about A Woman's Voice

Robin brings a combination of music education, professional career in music industry, demonstrated collaborative techniques and an array of lived experiences that enables her to offer a program that resonates with women consumers of mental health services, survivors of childhood abuse, trauma survivors, and women in recovery. There are no known programs that bring together these elements to create a powerful workshop that taps into the inner resources and gifts of women allowing them to engage in their own healing.
--Maria Rodman, executive director of The Women's Resource Centers of Western MA.

I came to the first session with trepidation, what do I know about this? I didn't miss a week. It was great fun! The songs we came up with match our days of ups and downs and we laughed about it all. Robin I thoroughly enjoyed our time together.
--Ruth Ward Berkshiretown Residential site, Pittsfield MA.

At first I wasn't sure I could do this but after the first session I was hooked. It was a wonderful time and I found out I had more talent than I thought. Thank you for the opportunity to share I this experience.
--Shelia Christina, St. May's Residential site Waltham MA.

A Woman's voice encourages us that our story matters; that our stories and the songs that are in our heart are every woman's story. That we are so NOT alone.
--Heidi, participant, Greenfield, MA.

This program is completely interactive with seniors. The confidence and joy it brought to the group was overwhelming. I recommend that every senior site experience this program. It is unique and therapeutic
--Deb Frazier, RN CRSC.

With trauma it is like there is screaming trapped inside parts of your mind that you can no longer access because the pain of the situation caused you to disconnect. But the songs can reach those places and help drain the trauma away, restoring health and balance.
--HOPE

Thanks again for such an enjoyable afternoon. Everyone loved it. You have a talent with people along with your musical abilities. I will definitely mention you to other managers and encourage them to give you a call. It was a pleasure to meet you.
--Gail, Manager, Berkshiretown, Pittsfield, MA.

To deal with the trauma I experienced as a child and as a teen I needed to write, yet a tide of emotions just wasn't given voice until I was part of A woman's Voice program.
--Karen, a participant of Turners Falls Women's Resource Center.

GIVING YOUTH A VOICE SONGWRITING/CD RECORDING PROGRAM

Empowering youth through the expressive art of storytelling in song

Giving Youth A Voice teaches the basic elements of songwriting. Through hands-on experience, youth learn to rhyme, fit meter, and choose colorful and descriptive words by creating their own song.

Giving Youth A Voice offers experiential workshops and artist residencies for elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, hospitals, health centers and community organizations.

There are three songwriting programs:

• Songs For Class Study
  4-Day Residency, 2 hours each day
  A curriculum enrichment songwriting workshop taught in schools as a residency or after school setting. Songwriting can be used as a creative tool to explore curriculum-based themes, while focusing on the fundamentals of songwriting as an art form and means for self-discovery and expression. Combining class studies and song will enhance participants understanding of lessons, as well as foster community and commonality amongst their peers. Robin will collaborate with teachers and students within a framework of academics.
  • Students will learn to express their feelings through writing songs.
  • Students will bring personal experience and feelings into their writing through processing them with group.
  • Students will take an active, creative role in their own learning process.

  The group will write two songs the first 2 days of residency and record the songs the third day. There will be a CD of recorded songs for the school and a performance if there is time. The workshop can be lengthened to fit the time frame of your site and for summer programs. This program can also be an after-school fun songwriting class, separate from academics, dealing with with peer relations, youth conflicts and concerns, emotions, etc.

  $1000. Add $300 if more than an hour away from my home in Western MA. $500/day plus travel expenses for schools two or more hours or more from my home. Inquire about pricing for workshops longer than 4 days. A confirmation letter is required for presentations and payment is requested the day of the visit.


• Stories and Songs
  Target participants will be youth ranging in ages 8-11. Children will contribute lyrics for a song we will write together based on the short story we read together. We will sing the song we have created several times and then will either perform or record the song.
  1 Day, 2-2 1/2 hours. $250-350 depending on whether there is recording. Add $100 if more than an hour away from my home in Western MA. $500 plus travel expenses for schools two hours or more from my home. A confirmation letter is required for presentations and payment is requested the day of the visit.
• The Power of Healing Through Music
  For Special Needs Youth
  This songwriting and singing workshop can be facilitated in schools, hospitals, assisted living communities, clinical support centers, or wherever there is need. Songwriting and singing our own songs helps in the healing process by building community, joy and hope. No musical experience is necessary.
  1 Day - 2 hours. $250. Add $100 if more than an hour from my home in Western, MA. $400 plus expenses if more than 2 hours or more from my home.

What people are saying about Giving Youth A Voice

Robin's Class was the highlight of an otherwise dreary school day. I've never had so much fun.
--Noah Kuman, Northfield Mount Herman

Robin teaches music in a fun and motivational way that builds confidence and allows you to be yourself. She inspires the creative process of writing a song and the results are exciting and fun.
--Yaeko Miranda, New England Conservatory

It was really fun working with Robin and I'll miss her alot. I never recorded a song in my life before or even sang anything; never thought I could write anything and she showed me I could..........so thank you!
--Simi Maxfield, Stonleigh Burnham School

Robin helped me to relax about myself not being perfect. She pushed me to write songs....Yes a positive push. I hope I can keep working with her.
--Emma Founds, Giving Youth A Voice

Robin Lane is a certified teacher with the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Robin brings a combination of music education, a professional career in the music industry, and demonstrated collaborative techniques that enable her to offer these programs.