The Whitefish Songwriter Festival in partnership with the North Valley Music School is proud to present an immersive two-day songwriting workshop designed for intermediate songwriters who are ready to sharpen their craft and learn the tools behind commercially successful songwriting.
Whether you write songs in your bedroom as a hobby or you're looking to take your professional writing to the next level, this workshop is designed to help you sharpen your craft, find new inspiration, and connect with a community of creators. All ages are welcome.
Over the course of eight hours of hands-on instruction, participants will explore the art and structure of professional songwriting — from lyric development and melody construction to arrangement, hooks, song form, and techniques used in today’s hit songs. This workshop is intended for writers who already have a basic understanding of songwriting fundamentals and are ready to take the next step creatively and professionally.
Instructor Bio — Ethan Thompson (Alt Bloom)
The workshop will be taught by songwriter, producer, and recording artist Alt Bloom. Originally from Montana, Thompson has built a successful career in Los Angeles as both an artist and professional songwriter.
Writing and performing under the name Alt Bloom, his music has accumulated more than 700 million streams worldwide. He is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and has written songs recorded by major artists across pop, rock, and dance music. His credits include charting songs for Ocean Park Standoff, Vanessa Hudgens, and Shinedown, including the No. 1 rock single “State of My Head.”
Thompson has collaborated with Grammy-winning producers and toured alongside artists including Lukas Graham, Andy Grammer, and OneRepublic. His experience as both a working songwriter and performing artist gives students a unique inside look at the modern songwriting industry.
This workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from a professional songwriter actively working in today’s music industry.
What to Expect From the Workshop
This is an intensive, collaborative environment focused on elevated craft and practical growth. Over the course of the workshop, you will dive into:
● Professional Feedback: Receive direct, constructive feedback on your material from professional songwriters.
● Core Mechanics: Deep dive into the structural pillars of a great song—analyzing melody, lyric development, and harmonic structure.
● Song Analysis: Study various song forms and arrangements to expand your writing toolkit.
● Creative Exercises: Learn how to break through writer's block and spark new ideas using targeted lyrical and melodic prompts.
● Song Workshopping: Bring in a song of your choice and work on it from start to finish, walking away with a polished, completed project.
Schedule
Thursday, September 17
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Friday, September 18
9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Location:
North Valley Music School | 1998 River Lakes Pkwy, Whitefish, MT 59937
Cost: $150 per person (Payment will be requested after acceptance into the workshop.)