All Current Courses
Songwriting 101 (Youth)
with Emily Persha
Cost: $315
Starts Sep 11, 2023, runs for 6 weeks. This class meets once a week on Mondays from 5pm – 6:30pm.
For grades 6-12
Have you ever wanted to write a song but didn’t know where to start…or have you started many songs but don’t know how to finish them? We’ve got you! Jump into songwriting 101 and you’ll come out with a finished song, and an opportunity to perform your song in front of others (if you want)! No previous music experience necessary.
This class takes participants on a guided journey through the songwriting process with the help of professional songwriters and guest artists. In conjunction with “The Bushwick Book Club” you will have the opportunity to write a song inspired by your favorite book or story! Learn about different songwriting methods as you discover yours. We’ll explore and dissect various song forms, instrumentation, and lyric content. We’ll try different writing prompts and offer tips and tricks to get over blocks and doubts.
Each person brings a story, life experience, and value to their craft. In this safe and supportive environment, we’ll have the opportunity for reflection, feedback, and performance. We look forward to creating with you!
REGISTER ONLINE
KPC Community Choir
with Ailisa Newhall
Cost: $99
Starts Sep 11, 2023, runs for 6 weeks. Join at any time! This mixed ensemble (all voices from Bass to Soprano) meets once a week on Mondays from 7:00 – 8:30pm at the Kirkland Women’s Club.
The non-auditioned KPC Community Choir is for those who love to sing regardless of musical experience, ability, or what people have told them about their singing voice. As if you’re singing around the campfire with family and friends, we come to experience music together.
REGISTER ONLINE
Songwriting 101 (Adult)
with Emily Persha
Cost: $315
Starts Sep 11, 2023 at 7 pm, runs for 6 weeks. This class meets once a week on Mondays from 7pm – 8:30pm
Have you ever wanted to write a song but didn’t know where to start…or have you started many songs but don’t know how to finish them? We’ve got you! Jump into songwriting 101 and you’ll come out with a finished song, and an opportunity to perform your song in front of others (if you want)! No previous music experience necessary.
This class takes participants on a guided journey through the songwriting process with the help of professional songwriters and guest artists. In conjunction with “The Bushwick Book Club” you will have the opportunity to write a song inspired by your favorite book or story! Learn about different songwriting methods as you discover yours. We’ll explore and dissect various song forms, instrumentation, and lyric content. We’ll try different writing prompts and offer tips and tricks to get over blocks and doubts.
Each person brings a story, life experience, and value to their craft. In this safe and supportive environment, we’ll have the opportunity for reflection, feedback, and performance. We look forward to creating with you!
REGISTER ONLINE
Layers of Heritage
with Liana Green
Cost: $150
Starts Sep 12, 2023 at 11 am. This class meets once a week on Tuesdays from 11:00am – 12:00pm.
In Partnership with The Rhapsody Project. The Rhapsody Project is a community that explores and celebrates music and heritage through an anti-racist lens.
Layers of Heritage: Learn to see yourself more clearly
Our Layers of Heritage are the things that inform how we move through the world! An exploration of your various layers can uncover an appreciation for the unique elements that make up each of us, and this information about yourself can inform how you interact with and respond to others. At The Rhapsody Project, we believe this kind of personal work can lead to a kinder, more just society.
Each class will focus on one or more layers; participants will use prompts to engage in personal reflection and research activities with an opportunity to share, connect with, and learn from others in the room. Bring your favorite reflection tools (journal, notebook, computer, etc.) and a research device (computer, phone, etc.) and let’s dig into this exciting work!
REGISTER ONLINE
Ukulele Start-Up
with Wes Weddell
Cost: $315
Starts Sep 12, 2023 at 6:30 pm, runs for 6 weeks. This class meets on Tuesdays from 6:30pm – 7:30pm.
Ages: High School through Adult
The cheerful ukulele may be just what we need during these disruptive times, so let’s dig in! This class for total beginners will balance demonstration with opportunities for students to play, starting from easy chords used in familiar songs and building technique from there. Along the way we’ll address how to hold it, tune it, strum it, and what you can do to practice on your own. Successive weeks will balance incorporating new skills with returning to familiar examples. No previous experience necessary.
Students should have their own instrument to use during class.
REGISTER ONLINE
Guitar Start-up
with Wes Weddell
Cost: $315
Starts Sep 12, 2023 at 7:45 pm, runs for 6 weeks. This class meets weekly on Tuesdays from 7:45pm – 8:45pm.
Ages: High School through Adult
Always wanted to play songs with friends and family? Had a guitar lying around for a while? (Or just found your way to one?) In this class for complete beginners, we’ll begin with chord-playing and work up to some simple melodic embellishment. As the class proceeds we’ll layer skills for strum-patterns and rhythmic variety, addressing techniques for both hands using well-known songs. You’ll emerge a capable guitarist who can add parts to songs and accompany singers in a variety of styles! No previous experience necessary.
Students should have their own instrument to use during class.
REGISTER ONLINE
I SYSA! Vocal Improvisation with Soul – Beginning Vocal Improvisation Class
with Debby Boland Watt
Cost: $315
Sep 13, 2023 at 5:00 pm, runs for 6 weeks
This class meets weekly on Wednesdays from 5:00 – 6:30pm
SYSA! I ~ is designed for singers of every vocal level who are interested in exploring improvisation within the comfort of a creative and safe environment. Learning to improvise can be a journey of self discovery. Together we will unite our voices as instruments, creating spontaneous a cappella music. Musical forms such as call & response, hocketing, harmony & spoken word will enhance our songs as we pay special attention to our use of rhythm. Attentive listening and collaborative exercises will free your voice!
For over 18 years, I’ve studied with Rhiannon who continues to perform and teach alongside Bobby McFerrin. Rhiannon’s book, Vocal River, will be referenced often as I teach this class. The next intermediate level of SYSA! II ~ will host Bobby McFerrin’s Circle Singing techniques. Please join us!
Please bring: a water bottle and a recording device (your phone will do)
REGISTER ONLINE
II SYSA! Vocal Improvisation with Soul – Intermediate Vocal Improvisation Class
with Debby Boland Watt
Cost: $315
Sep 13, 2023 at 7:00 pm, runs for 6 weeks. This class meets weekly on Wednesdays from 7:00pm – 8:30pm
SYSA! II ~ will include both Vocal Improvisation and CircleSinging. Circle Singing is based on the musical influences of Bobby McFerrin and his Voicestra. Layered improvised parts draw from call and response, hocketing, vocal percussion, storytelling and free spirit improvisation. These incredibly complex pieces are composed on the spot! This class builds upon the exercises taught in the SYSA! I ~ beginners class and will include soloing and directing.
Debby is the area’s best-known Circle Singing teacher and Circle facilitator, according to the Seattle Times. After having worked with Bobby McFerrin, she regularly leads participants into the most beautiful music of their lives. We find our way into the music through collaboration and careful listening. By creating a safe environment for singers on every level we are able to come into a unity that nourishes our Souls. We will SING YOUR SOUL ALIVE! I hope to see you there!
Please bring: a water bottle and a recording device (your phone will do!)
REGISTER ONLINE
Music with Mariah
with Mariah Fraser
Cost: $175
Starts Sep 14, 2023 at 12:30 pm, runs for 6 weeks. This class meets on Thursdays from 12:30pm – 1:15pm.
This class is intended for ages 0-5 plus an adult (you can just register the child). Pay what you can options upon registration.
You’re never too young to start your musical journey! Early childhood is the perfect time to start playing with the basics of music. We will sing, move our bodies, and play instruments – and mostly have a lot of fun! Join Mariah and find new ways to bring music into your life.
REGISTER ONLINE
Social Music Making (Youth)
with Jed Crisologo
Cost: $315
Sep 14, 2023 at 5:30 pm, runs for 6 weeks. This class meets weekly on Thursdays from 5:00pm – 6:00pm.
In Partnership with The Rhapsody Project. The Rhapsody Project is a community that explores and celebrates music and heritage through an anti-racist lens.
In this 6-week course, students will learn how to collaboratively hold a welcoming space for social music making. We will cover basic jamming etiquette and how to take a solo, including some introductory music theory and some tried and true pro-tips for soloing confidence.
We will learn a new tune each week by ear, with a complimentary TRP songbook for each participant—if reading charts and/or preparing in advance is more in your comfort zone! Tunes will include a mix of jazz and blues, along with some contemporary songs in those idioms.
REGISTER ONLINE
Social Music Making (Adult)
with Jed Crisologo
Cost: $315
Starts Sep 14, 2023 at 7 pm, runs for 6 weeks. This class meets on Thursdays from 7:00pm – 8:00pm.
In Partnership with The Rhapsody Project. The Rhapsody Project is a community that explores and celebrates music and heritage through an anti-racist lens.
In this 6-week course, students will learn how to collaboratively hold a welcoming space for social music making. We will cover basic jamming etiquette and how to take a solo, including some introductory music theory and some tried and true pro-tips for soloing confidence.
We will learn a new tune each week by ear, with a complimentary TRP songbook for each participant—if reading charts and/or preparing in advance is more in your comfort zone! Tunes will include a mix of jazz and blues, along with some contemporary songs in those idioms. The class will culminate with a student-led jam session in the final class.
REGISTER ONLINE
Music Business 101
with Jeff Lockhart
Cost: $40
This is a 1-day workshop on Saturday Oct 21, 2023 from 10:00am – 1:00pm.
Music Business 101: Understanding the Business/Management Side Of Your Music Endeavor: In this class KPC Executive Director Jeff Lockhart shares from his 20 year experience in music business management and professional performance experience about the inner working of managing the business and branding aspects of your musical endeavor. As the leader of a performing arts theater, gigging/touring drummer, music business professor, and founder and managing partner of Live Vinyl Productions LLC, Jeff will share practical and pragmatic insights in this seminar style class that covers business structure basics for musicians.(accounting/banking/legal issues), branding/marketing strategies, customer service/retention strategies, concept launch and growth concepts and many more! If you’ve ever wanted to take your musical enterprise to the next level from a hobby to a business enterprise this class is for you!