Blair Songwriter Series
Learn the craft of songwriting from extraordinary legends and up-and-comers. Instructor Deanna Walker connects the class with industry luminaries over Zoom for incredible, up-close and personal conversations about all aspects of songwriting, artistry, and the music business.
Hear MASSIVE HIT SONGWRITERS, ARTISTS, and PRODUCERS like:
SHANE MCANALLY — Multiple Grammy, ACM, CMA, award-winning, Tony-nominated, multi-platinum hit songwriter and producer with 50 #1 songs.
MARY GAUTHIER — Widely acclaimed, Grammy-nominated, award-winning artist/songwriter.
SIERRA SPIRIT — Giant Music label artist & extraordinary writer. As a Native American artist with roots in both the Otoe-Missouria and Keetoowah Cherokee tribes, Spirit draws inspiration from her lived experiences within the Native community.
THOMAS DANIEL — Phenomenal artist, writer & pianist with multiple KPOP hits & Lauren Spencer-Smith hits, including Bigger Person & Best Friend Breakup.
DAVID & DILLON MYSLIWIEC — Joining us from the Upstate Sound Music Group and CHARLES ALEXANDER (Co-Founder of ViNIL) in our 1st EVER AI panel.
KRIS AHREND — CEO of the MLC. Kris is immensely helpful in breaking down the business side of the music industry and making sure songwriters have all the information they need to collect royalties.
KRIS LAMB — Powerhouse EVP of the Big Machine Label Group.
KENNY SHAR — Amazing soul/R&B artist-writer (Winner of Lightning 100’s 2024 Battle of the Bands).
GET YOUR SONGS CRITIQUED BY BIG LEAGUE INDUSTRY PLAYERS like:
ALEX HEDDLE — Sr. VP Publishing, Big Machine
LAUREN FUNK MARTIN — Sr. Creative Director, Endurance Music
ERIC HURT — VP A&R, Empire
SARAH FELDMAN FLICK — Founder of Following Sarah Music, long-time Nashville publisher
CLIFF AUDRETCH, III — Publishing, record label, and management executive with Greatshakin’ Music
Synch Music Critique:
SHAY WATSON — Award-winning Producer/Writer-Multiple Placements with CBS, NBC, HBO, Showtime, and many more
The class is capped at 18 full participants, who can have their songs critiqued by hit songwriters and publishers. An unlimited number of observers can also fully participate, with the exception of the song critique.
*Guests subject to change
Connect with the Blair Hit Songwriter Series:
Instagram - @blairhitsongwriters | Facebook - @BlairHitSongwriterSeries
Testimonials
There is no better class to learn all the facets and faces of becoming a songwriter or artist than Deanna's class. I've gone from a student in the class, soaking up every word, to becoming a songwriter now with enough success in writing to give some insight back as a guest. I sat there and learned and I was able to actually apply the lessons and make it my life. It's the easiest shortcut to being a better songwriter there is.
- Jon Nite
Multiple No. 1 hit songwriter, including "I Hope" (Gabby Barrett/Charlie Puth) and "Break Up In the End" (Cole Swindell)
Deanna's songwriting class was instrumental in helping me approach songwriting as a craft. Learning from her Nashville perspective on songwriting, and lyricism in particular, has given me a leg up in the pop world. Years later, I still find myself using some of her tricks in my writing sessions!
- Michael Pollack
"Memories" (Maroon 5), "Holy" (Justin Beiber/Chance the Rapper), Katy Perry, Jonas Brothers
Anyone who wants a comprehensive knowledge of the music industry in all facets should absolutely take Deanna Walker's class. The access that one gets through her class to various songwriters, publishers, producers and executives is an exceptional learning tool for those who are trying to hone their craft and learn the business. As a young songwriter in town, her class was invaluable to me on my journey in the industry!
- Jesse Rice
CMA, AMA, ACM and Billboard Award winner; record-breaking, diamond level hit "Cruise" (Florida-Georgia Line)
Deanna brings in an endless and varied array of the world's greatest songwriters to teach, up close and on a very personal level. Nowhere else will you get to meet this breed of genius. Deanna is an inspiration - full of encouragement, and so very talented herself. She's the perfect teacher for this class. No matter what age or level of experience you are, if you love to write songs, this class is a rare chance to learn from world-class, chart-topping talent. You will come out of each class, head spinning from the "secrets" of success, and if you're like me, you'll go straight home, or to a bar, or coffee shop or heck, right to your car, and immediately start writing! I don't think there's anything like this anywhere else on earth. This class is enchanting, all wrapped up in Deanna's humongous heart of a smile. It's all good, folks. Tap this ... now!
CreatiVets
CreatiVets has partnered with Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music to create a songwriting course exclusively for veterans. CreatiVets mission is to empower wounded veterans to heal through the arts and music. The class, hosted by veteran Rick Beresford and Deanna Walker, and is free to veterans around the country on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s presented entirely on Zoom and is limited to 12 full participants (those who can get their songs critiqued) and 20 observers (observers can participate in every way other than submitting material for critique). The class will cover a range of topics, including songwriting craft, creativity, an introduction to production and recording, and will include song critiques with the hosts and major music industry publishers.
Business of Music
This abbreviated course for adults explores the complex world of music publishing and recording. Learn how to navigate the web of rights associated with music and music creators with Dustin Kovicic, an entertainment attorney and expert in music law.
Spring 2025 Courses
Blair Hit Songwriter Series
Special guest artists each week make this class sparkle. From Nashville, Los Angeles, Atlanta and beyond, guests include the music industry's finest songwriters, publishers, producers, and performers. Connect, ask questions, hear the stories behind the songs, and get your songs critiqued by Professor Walker and industry guests. The class is presented on Zoom and limited to 18 full participants (those who can get their songs critiqued) with an unlimited number of observers (observers can participate in every way other than submitting material for critique).
Tuesdays 7:00-9:00 p.m.
CreatiVets
CreatiVets has partnered with Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music to create a songwriting course exclusively for veterans. CreatiVets mission is to empower wounded veterans to heal through the arts and music. The class, hosted by veteran Rick Beresford and Deanna Walker, and is free to veterans around the country on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s presented entirely on Zoom and is limited to 12 full participants (those who can get their songs critiqued) and 20 observers (observers can participate in every way other than submitting material for critique). The class will cover a range of topics, including songwriting craft, creativity, an introduction to production and recording, and will include song critiques with the hosts and major music industry publishers.
Mondays 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Business of Music
This course will explore the music business in-depth, with a focus on understanding how music is protected and monetized. We will break down the rights associated with music and music creators and will explore key music industry agreements, from recording and publishing deals to management and live performance contracts and the rights implicated in each. We will also discuss how royalties are generated and ways in which music creatives can properly collect and utilize these resources.
Thursdays 7:00-9:00 p.m.