Insights on composing lyrics, chord progressions, motifs, and rhythms.
 
Baker, author, artist, and composer Joe Ortiz has come to songwriting from the disciplines of theater and cabaret, having written and produced such musicals as Smoke Cabaret, Escaping Queens, and Bread!—The Musical. Using examples from such musical geniuses as Rogers & Hammerstein, Cole Porter, Miles Davis, and Stephen Sondheim, special guests pianist Glen Rose and vocalist Nicole Wilson will assist Joe in demonstrating how songwriting can be achieved by composing from a motif, a rhythmic pattern, a complete song lyric. Or just by strumming one’s guitar and singing along. Through these insightful techniques, both beginning and experienced songwriters can learn numerous approaches to what it takes to create an original song.

Master Class: Joe Ortiz – Writing a Song