Songwriting Workshops
Clinics for Young Songwriters
 Photos by Lori Juncaj, Peter Kopera, Paul Bickel and...

Looking for a great career prep workshop?  You can hire Dave Caruso to work with your students or group on the crafts of songwriting and lyric writing.   Dave's Songwriting Workshop is a fun and effective way to cultivate creativity and collaboration.  Each program is customized to your class sizes, ages and skill levels.  For more information, E-mail Dave.

 Songwriting workshops, clinics, classes, career prep workshop, school

Dave's songwriting clinics can be customized for:

  • Songwriters of all levels

  • Music and writing departments

  • High schools and colleges

  • Music stores

  • Music teachers

  • Music clubs

  • Writing organizations
Dave Caruso is an award-winning songwriter from Trenton, Michigan with several critically-acclaimed recordings and hundreds of songs to his credit.  He's had songs released on the RCA Records label through the Miller Rock Network and he's earned top prizes from the American Music Conference and the Songwriter International Contest.  Dave has also composed themes for two Detroit Public Television programs.
In addition to performing for more than 3,700 audiences in hundreds of cities in 24 states and Canada, Caruso's music has received airplay at college radio stations all across the country. 

Dave's latest CD, Elizabeth Parker, has been called his best work to date.

Sample Topics:

  • What distinguishes songwriting from other writing?

  • Songwriting form (scheme)

  • Where does the inspiration for a song come from?

  • Writing the lyric first, then putting it to music

  • Lyric visualization and storytelling

  • Writing the music first, then adding lyrics

  • Modeling your musical style

  • Why compose without a musical instrument?

  • Using shorthand to remember what you write

  • Writing to spec

  • Songwriting through collaboration

  • Re-writing your songs

  • Recording your songs

  • Tools of a good songwriter

  • Q&A / Discussion

Testimonials
for Dave Caruso's
Songwriting Workshops

"Dave Caruso did a fine job working with our students on his songwriting clinic.  From the beginning band students through our top high school band, Dave was able to connect with the classes and help them construct topics for a song, lyrics, and even sing and play the piano to present the students with their work!  It was a pleasure to have him, and I recommend him for any director looking to connect music to the students in a personal and educational way!"

Paul Bickel, Band Director
Western Schools / Jackson, MI

"Thanks, Dave, for coming out to Arthurs MS this week!  Your presentation on Songwriting was a huge hit - all of my students were full of questions for me about their experience with you - in fact, many of them talked about you to their parents who remember the Caruso Band days!  It was a great experience and exactly what I hoped it would be."

Peter Kopera, Band Director
Boyd Arthurs / Trenton, MI

“Thanks so much for coming… the kids really enjoyed the seminar and it gave them some great ideas on songwriting.  Thanks again!”

Kristi Kruger, Music Director
Allen Park HS / Allen Park, MI

 

Dave's program makes  an excellent career prep workshop for your school!