Songwriting Courses and Live Song Feedback Class Schedule

About Sara Light
Sara Light has been writing professionally in Nashville since 1996 and was a staff songwriter for both Zamalama Music and Curb Magnatone Music Publishing. Her credits include the John Michael Montgomery title track and the hit single "Home To You," which received an ASCAP airplay award in addition to being named SESAC song of the year for having garnered 2 million spins on radio. She also composed songs for the musical "Urban Cowboy," which opened on Broadway in March 2003 and was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Original Score.

Other milestones include being awarded the Tennessee Songwriters Association's Songwriter of the Year award and a feature in the Entertainment Power Players Directory: Edition 4. She has performed her original songs regularly at The Bluebird Café and other Nashville venues.

Crossing genres from Country to Broadway to Hip-Hop, Sara co-authored a handbook geared toward urban youth, "The Art of Writing a Hit Song: The Urban Experience" with hit songwriter Jack Knight (Bad Boy Records) that was endorsed by Sheila Davis, Lil' Kim, Mario Winans, among others.

Sara has always combined her teaching background with her love of songwriting and has given countless songwriting seminars throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 2003, she developed and co-founded, along with her husband Danny Arena, the online educational website SongU.com, which offers online songwriting courses, coaching, co-writing, industry connections, and pitching opportunities to an international community of songwriters. She continues to be the main administrator, as well as one of the Lyric Writing and Song Feedback instructors at SongU.com.

About Lisa Palas
Lisa Palas is an award-winning songwriter with several number one hits to her credit including Alabama's "You've Got the Touch" and "There's No Way". Her songs have been recorded by the renowned country stars Alabama, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Kris Kristofferson, Chris LeDoux, Conway Twitty and The Oak Ridge Boys as well as included in the soundtracks of feature films. She has also scored musicals on the stage, most recently "Jack" for Louisville's Walden Theater. A featured soloist at Unity churches, Lisa recently recorded a CD of original songs included in her performances. She began her acting career as a dancer in the Sissy Spacek film "Marie", also notable for being the film debut of ex-Senator Fred Thompson. Some twenty years later, Lisa resumed acting on a regular basis and has appeared in numerous short films, industrials, tv commercials and episodic television such as the Pax Network's "It's a Miracle", hosted by Richard Thomas. She is currently seen in commercials for Physicians Mutual Insurance, the Connecticut Lottery and Tri-Star Health Systems. She has also performed in various productions on the Nashville stage including the world premiere of "A Stoop on Orchard Street." Lisa teaches Feedback and Mentoring and Songwriters Support at SongU.com

About Randy Klein
Randy Klein's work spans jazz writing, performing and improvising, and composing for film and theater. This multifaceted New Yorker has released several albums of his own original music; the 1993 debut Jazzheads generated wide acclaim for its lyrics and innovative melodies. A gifted songwriter with two gold records to his credit (for songs recorded by soul/R&B diva Millie Jackson), Klein has received numerous awards for his film and drama soundtracks. Klein was honored by the 1995 Southern Regional Emmy Awards (The National Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences (NATAS)) for his work with PBS children's educational projects. But his jazz roots lie deep, and they're powerfully expressed in the music he's written for this album. Randy teaches Song Feedback and Mentoring at SongU.com.

About Marcia Ramirez
Marcia Ramirez is a professional singer/songwriter who has had four independent solo albums released and performs all over the country. As a former staff songwriter for publishing companies including Curb Music, she has numerous songs placed in film and TV shows as well as major label artists covering her songs including a 2017 Grammy-award winning album by Reba McEntire. She has been in the studio and/or toured live playing keyboards, guitar, mandolin and singing background vocals with artists including Rodney Crowell, Lee Ann Womack, Pam Tillis, Hank Williams Jr., Billy Dean, Linda Davis, Tanya Tucker, and Patty Loveless. She's also one of the most in-demand demo singers in Nashville. Marcia teaches Song Feedback and Mentoring at SongU.com.

About Helen Darling
Helen Darling is a Grammy-award nominated songwriter and former major label recording artist whose credits include the #1 crossover hit song "Bring On The Rain" recorded by Jo Dee Messina and Tim McGraw. This #1 song was nominated for a Grammy, an ACM and a CMA award. Darling started her career as a Chicago jingle singer on television and radio commercials for such clients as McDonald’s and 7-up. Her voice sang the familiar query, "Have you driven a Ford lately?" After moving to Nashville in 1993, Darling began singing song demos as well as back-up for artists such as Garth Brooks. She later signed a recording contract with MCA/Decca Records and her debut album featured appearances by Garth Brooks who sang back-up on her track of “Even God Must Get The Blues” in addition to Delbert McClinton and Lee Roy Parnell. Extreme Writers Group signed Darling in 1999 as a staff writer, and she has since had cuts with Mindy McCready, Niki Horner, Bering Strait, and Amanda Wilkinson. She currently divides her time between Montana and Texas. Helen teaches Song Feedback and Mentoring at SongU.com. For more information on Helen, visit www.helendarlingmusic.com.

About Michele Vice-Maslin:
Michele is a 3-time Emmy Award nominee and 2-time Emmy Award winning songwriter who has written and produced hit songs for major artists all over the world including #1 singles. She has over 4000 film and TV placements, including theme, title and end title songs from her catalog Sweetersongs. Originally from Queens, NY, she currently lives in Los Angeles, CA where, as an independent music publisher, she has been publishing her own catalog for most of her career while producing, pitching and placing most all of her song successes. Because of her extensive studio producing background, Michele is not a fan of generative AI productions. If you are seeking song feedback, please be aware that she will not "critique" AI tracks.

You can view Michele's (almost) full list of credits at her website: http://www.sweetersongs.com/. Michele teaches Feedback and Mentoring at SongU.com.

About Diona Devincenzi
Diona Devincenzi is a songwriter/artist/producer, born in San Francisco, and splits her time writing and recording in her Nashville and California based studios.

Focusing the last 10 years on writing music for film, t.v. and advertising, she has garnered multiple placements including Seal Team, Mistresses, Chicago P.D., Pretty Little Liars, Lethal Weapon 3, just to name a few.

Her musical influences comes from old, new far and wide, but she resonates the most with songs that have soul and substance. Artists on her permanent playlist are The Beatles, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, The Police, Adele. John Mayer and Aretha.

Her current artist projects include a retro soul collaboration with Brit. Paul Cufflin called Brit Frisco as well as her newest solo endeavor, a nu-modern blend of soul, R&B and rock she calls by her middle name and mom’s surname FELICE .

She cares about honesty, integrity, kindness and is inspired by strong, courageous people who overcome odds and speak out against injustices. And most of her friends possess an irreverent sense of humor.

You can find out more about her at her website www.dionadevincenzi.com

About Lauren Lucas
Lauren Lucas is a soulful storyteller whose rich, warm, and rooted-in-the-South voice has taken her from Broadway to the Grand Ole Opry, from hit records to headline tours, and now, to your TV screen.

A Tony Award-nominated composer and Academy of Country Music (ACM) Award-nominated recording artist, Lauren was part of the composing team - led by Keb' Mo' - behind the original score for Leanne, Netflix's comedy series starring Leanne Morgan. She brings her voice to the forefront as the vocalist on the show's main title theme. She also lent her background vocals on Room on the Porch, the Billboard #1 Blues album by legendary artists Taj Mahal and Keb' Mo'.

No stranger to the spotlight, Lauren’s music has been heard on ABC, on Broadway (Urban Cowboy), and in numerous films. Her songs have been recorded by artists like Danielle Peck (Big Machine/SiriusXM Y2Country), Damien Horne (Circle TV), and Risa Binder. As a vocalist, she’s lent her soulful sound to high-profile campaigns, including a duet with Keb’ Mo’ for the Canadian National Railroad’s international marketing launch.

Lauren's touring life has taken her across the U.S. and Europe, sharing stages with everyone from Blake Shelton and Kenny Chesney to Old Dominion, The Bacon Brothers (Kevin & Michael), Randy Houser, and Maia Sharp. She also spent nearly three years touring and recording as part of the all-female Americana group Farewell Angelina, praised by Rolling Stone as one of the '10 New Country Artists You Need to Know.'

Today, along with writing and recording music for her own projects and for film & TV, Lauren teaches songwriting at Belmont University, helping the next generation of artists find their voice. For more, visit www.laurenlucas.com.

About Dylan Emmet:
Dylan Emmet is an artist and songwriter/producer with an interesting story to tell. After discovering he had a two-year-old daughter he never knew about, Dylan began releasing a string of personal and self-revelatory songs documenting his journey, beginning with leaving Los Angeles to become an insta-dad in New York overnight. Currently living with his daughter back in upstate New York, Dylan has continued successfully writing and producing for multiple artists on both coasts by utilizing video chat and taking month-long trips to LA and Nashville to write. Dylan has had his songs featured everywhere from major network TV shows to Billboard and Spotify's New Music Friday.

About Dallas Gregory
Dallas Gregory is the owner and Creative Director of Song Rocket Music Publishing. He has secured cuts on indie artists and major label Christian artists. He is an accomplished music industry veteran with over 25 years of professional experience in the Nashville music arena. He is respected among his peers for his expertise in music publishing, recording, studio production, artist development/management and writer representation. One of Dallas's most notable career achievements includes helping secure over 130 song cuts, many by some of the biggest names in the country, pop and Christian market. His expertise has enabled him to have songs placed in movies, on Broadway, television and success with song cuts in the overseas market.

Dallas began his distinguished music career as an artist and background singer with the Grand Ole Opry road show, sharing the stage with many country music legends such as Dolly Parton, Alabama and Loretta Lynn, among others. After a six year run performing with some of country music's most celebrated musicians and artists, Dallas decided to shift directions professionally and lend his talent and love for music to the studio and recording sector of the music industry by joining Masterfonics, one of the premier recording and mastering facilities in the country.

While at Masterfonics, Dallas worked with many of today’s top stars, producers and session players in country, rock and gospel music. In 1995, Dallas accepted the position of Creative Director at High Seas Music Publishing, a Fitzgerald Hartley/Warner Chapel Music joint venture company, concentrating on writer and catalog development and representing songs written by some of Nashville’s most successful hit songwriters. During this time, Dallas helped build an extensive catalog of songs through the signing of talented songwriters and acquisition of catalogs.

In 2002, Dallas launched, Song Rocket Music, an active music publishing company located in Nashville, Tennessee. Since the launch of Song rocket Music, Dallas has been affiliated with hit songwriters who have enjoyed successes with cuts by artists such as Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan, Sarah Darling, Thompson Square, Canadian artist Shane Yellowbird, Eric Clapton, Carole King, Lady A, Kenny Rogers and A&R for specialty Christian projects with Influence Music. Dallas teaches Christian Song Feedback and Mentoring at SongU.com.

About Dallas Gregory
Dallas Gregory is the owner and Creative Director of Song Rocket Music Publishing. He has secured cuts on indie artists and major label Christian artists. He is an accomplished music industry veteran with over 25 years of professional experience in the Nashville music arena. He is respected among his peers for his expertise in music publishing, recording, studio production, artist development/management and writer representation. One of Dallas's most notable career achievements includes helping secure over 130 song cuts, many by some of the biggest names in the country, pop and Christian market. His expertise has enabled him to have songs placed in movies, on Broadway, television and success with song cuts in the overseas market.

Dallas began his distinguished music career as an artist and background singer with the Grand Ole Opry road show, sharing the stage with many country music legends such as Dolly Parton, Alabama and Loretta Lynn, among others. After a six year run performing with some of country music's most celebrated musicians and artists, Dallas decided to shift directions professionally and lend his talent and love for music to the studio and recording sector of the music industry by joining Masterfonics, one of the premier recording and mastering facilities in the country.

While at Masterfonics, Dallas worked with many of today’s top stars, producers and session players in country, rock and gospel music. In 1995, Dallas accepted the position of Creative Director at High Seas Music Publishing, a Fitzgerald Hartley/Warner Chapel Music joint venture company, concentrating on writer and catalog development and representing songs written by some of Nashville’s most successful hit songwriters. During this time, Dallas helped build an extensive catalog of songs through the signing of talented songwriters and acquisition of catalogs.

In 2002, Dallas launched, Song Rocket Music, an active music publishing company located in Nashville, Tennessee. Since the launch of Song rocket Music, Dallas has been affiliated with hit songwriters who have enjoyed successes with cuts by artists such as Rascal Flatts, Luke Bryan, Sarah Darling, Thompson Square, Canadian artist Shane Yellowbird, Eric Clapton, Carole King, Lady A, Kenny Rogers and A&R for specialty Christian projects with Influence Music. Dallas teaches Christian Song Feedback and Mentoring at SongU.com.

About Bob Dellaposta
Ower and Creative Director of My3Kids Music Publishing. Bob has secured multiple cuts and placements for SongU members on indie artists, international artists, commercials, movies, and television. He holds a B.S. in Music Education and has over 20 years teaching experience in public and private schools where he has served as Band Director, Voice Coach, and Choral Director. He is currently teaching a music publishing class at Nashville State Technical Institute in Nashville, Tennessee. He is a founding member of the swing band "Bada Bing Bada Boom" which toured nationally as well as a songwriter himself with over 1200 songs recorded. Bob is an instructor of Publisher Feedback and Mentoring at SongU.com.

About Debbie Zavitson
Debbie Zavitson is a music industry veteran who owns and operates Debbie Z Entertainment, a full service publishing, management, artist development and independent song plugging company. The writer roster includes award-winning songwriter Vip Vipperman (Reba, Trace Adkins), Phillip Lammonds (Josh Turner, Blake Shelton, Hootie and the Blowfish), Curb Music Publishing, Jay Lazaroff (written music for over 100 film and TV shows including Survivor and The Apprentice), award-winning Canadian singer/songwriter Jess Moskaluke and emerging group Rocket Club.

Debbie began her career in the entertainment business as a singer performing throughout the country. She moved to Music City and landed a job with then independent producer Doug Johnson running his publishing company. Zavitson has discovered No. 1 hits including ACM Song of the Year 'I Love the Way You Love Me', and Blake Shelton's 'Austin'. She has worked in A&R at Sony and Giant Records, and in artist management with Shelton as her first artist. Debbie teaches Publisher Song Feedback and Mentoring at SongU.com.

About Queenie Mullinix
Queenie Mullinex is the Creative Director for Washington Street Publishing (Nancy Peacock, owner), which focuses on securing placements in Film, TV, and Media. She is a singer/songwriter gained valuable experience in performance, promotion and booking as a member of several notable Atlanta bands before going solo. She also learned the basics of recording and production working with award winning producer Billy Hume (Ying Yang Twins, Lil John, Black Crows) at his Zone Studio.

In Nashville she has worked as a songplugger/creative director of Wolf Music & Sound Design and publicity director of Slugfest Records. Queenie and her husband bassist Dave Webb are on the music team at their church. She also volunteers with the Animal Ministry, Gilda's Club, The Vanderbilt Hope Connection, and regularly plays shows to benefit cancer research. About Nancy Peacock
Nancy is CEO and Owner of Washington Street Publishing which focuses on securing placements in Film, TV, and Media. She is a frequent panelist and song evaluator for various organizations and conferences. A graduate of Sweet Briar College and Vanderbilt University, Nancy is a big fan of the men’s Commodores basketball team. She is actively involved in the local community with the Junior League of Nashville and internationally with St. George’s Episcopal Church’s missionary work in Honduras. She’s also a member of WIM, CMA, ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, AIMP, The Recording Academy and SOLID.