Foundations Songwriting Course

Foundations Songwriting Course

Presented By American Songwriter

Course Timeline: January 26 – March 26, 2026

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Days
Hours
Minutes
Seconds

Enrollment Deadline: January 19, 2026

What is it?

Every Hit Starts with Strong Foundations.

Build Yours with American Soingwriter.

Foundations is an eight-module online course designed to help you grow as a songwriter. With live sessions, hands-on lessons, and guidance from pros, you’ll learn to shape melody, lyrics, and story into songs that resonate.

By the end, you’ll have a professionally produced demo of your own original song. The course also includes:

8-Module Songwriting Curriculum

Learn melody, lyrics, structure & storytelling.

Live Weekly Coaching

Workshops, Q&A, and guest songwriting professionals.

1:1 Feedback

Personalized critiques to accelerate growth.

Supportive Community

Includes access to #1 online songwriting membership hub & networking with peers.

Repeatable Writing Workflow

Build habits that make songwriting second nature…forever.

Industry-Ready Demo Included

Leave with a professionally produced song.

Foundations Songwriting Course is an immersive, eight-module online program designed to help aspiring and developing songwriters build the skills, confidence, and creative discipline to write songs that connect.

Through hands-on lessons, weekly live workshop sessions, proven songwriting frameworks, and insights from professional songwriters, you’ll master the core elements of great songwriting — melody, lyrics, structure, and storytelling, while developing your own authentic creative voice. As the culmination of the course, every student will leave with a professionally produced, industry-ready demo tape of their original song – a tangible, polished representation of the foundations built in the course.

Whether you’re just starting out or ready to refine your craft, Foundations gives you the tools, structure, and inspiration to create songs that stand out and last.

Course Curriculum Preview

Full-Cycle Songwriting Curriculum – Eight (8) in-depth, hands-on modules from idea to production. Modules are supported by weekly live sessions, plus all live sessions, exercises, and course materials are permanently downloadable for all students. Build your Foundations now, take them with you forever!

  • Module 1: Finding Inspiration & Ideas
  • Module 2: Lyric Fundamentals
  • Module 3: Melody Writing
  • Module 4: Harmony & Chord Progressions
  • Module 5: Song Structure & Arrangement
  • Module 6: Development & Editing
  • Module 7: Preparing an Industry-Ready Demo Tape
  • Module 8: Next Steps as a Songwriter
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Meet The Instructors & Special Guests

Foundations is an immersive songwriting course led by American Songwriter’s Membership Community Director & professional songwriter, Dean Fields.

He will be joined by #1 songwriters, industry experts, and multi-platinum ‘special guests’.

Dean Fields is a Nashville-based songwriter, performer, and producer whose songs have been recorded by artists including Lori McKenna and William Clark Green, reaching No. 1 on Texas radio, and featured in media for Disney, Paramount, and ABC. A graduate in Classical Composition from the College of William & Mary, Fields has performed over a thousand shows nationwide and now mentors emerging artists through American Songwriter.
Adam Wright is a multi-Grammy-nominated songwriter whose work has been recorded by Alan Jackson, Lee Ann Womack, Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Brandy Clark, and more. He’s earned Grammy nominations for both Best Country Song and Best American Roots Song, along with multiple IBMA Song of the Year nods. Known as a songwriter’s songwriter, Wright has written dozens of cuts across country, Americana, and bluegrass. His track record and deep craft expertise make him one of Nashville’s most respected storytellers and mentors.
Sarah Siskind’s authenticity as an artist and songwriter has never wavered. The North Carolina native has had covers by Robert Plant, Wynonna, Alison Krauss, Randy Travis, and has shared the stage with heroes Bonnie Raitt, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Paul Brady, Swell Season, and Bon Iver. Over 20 of her songs were featured on the hit TV series Nashville including the unofficial theme song “A Life That’s Good”.
Thomm Jutz is a songwriter, producer, and guitar player based in Nashville. His solo record “To Live in Two Worlds - Vol. 1” was nominated for a Grammy in 2020. His songs have been recorded by Billy Strings, Del McCoury, John Prine, The Steeldrivers, Nanci Griffith, Kim Richey, and many bluegrass artists. He has had ten number-one bluegrass hits and won the IBMA’s “Songwriter of the Year” award. He was also featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s “American Currents” exhibit, plus his work as a media music composer has resulted in over 300 TV and film placements worldwide (from CNN to Disney to PBS)
Ava is one of Nashville’s standout young songwriters, building a career that rivals writers twice her age. Songs penned by Ava have been recorded by Keith Urban, Carly Pearce, Temecula Road, Austin Burke, Home Free (Billboard #2 Country Album), and more. Altogether, her credits have racked up more than 350 million streams and charted on both U.S. and Canadian radio, and her work has earned her spots on the Nashville Briefing’s “25 Songwriters to Watch” and their coveted “30 Under 30” list.
Aaron Espe is a Nashville-based songwriter and producer whose songs have been recorded by a wide range of artists and featured in major TV shows, films, and commercials. Known for his melodic storytelling and emotional clarity, Espe’s work has appeared in Grey’s Anatomy, The Voice, and campaigns for Target, Honda, and Sainsbury’s. A prolific collaborator, he continues to craft songs that bridge pop, folk, and Americana, earning recognition as one of Nashville’s most versatile modern songwriters.
Andrew Petroff is a Nashville-based producer, songwriter, and musician whose work spans a wide variety of genres, established artists, and new developing voices alike. He has collaborated with Sheryl Crow, Stevie Nicks, Little Big Town, Sierra Hull , Lainey Wilson, Ashley Monroe, Madeline Edwards, Phillip Larue, Caitlyn Smith, Joy Williams, Molly Tuttle, Katie Pruitt, Brent Cobb, Meg McRee, and Kendell Marvel among others. Andrew co-wrote the song Grease on Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottom country album which took home a Grammy in 2024 for Best Country Album.

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Frequently asked questions

If you’re still deciding whether to enroll, you’re probably wondering how it all works. Here’s everything you need to know before beginning your enrollment process.

Have an additional question? Reach out to us directly below. 

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The entire 8-week online course is held within the American Songwriter Membership Hub + supported by weekly live sessions via video call.

Course runs January 26, 2026 to March 22, 2026

Please note: Course dates are subject to change in the event of unforeseen circumstances. Any updates will be communicated to all enrolled students.

The course is open to anyone 18 and older who wants to learn the craft of songwriting, whether you’re a total beginner or already writing regularly.

January – March 2026
Start/Close Dates to be announced soon

Module 1: Finding Inspiration & Ideas – Jan 26
Module 2: Lyric Fundamentals – Feb 2
Module 3: Melody Writing – Feb 9
Module 4: Harmony & Chord Progressions – Feb 16
Module 5: Song Structure & Arrangement – Feb 23
Module 6: Development & Editing – March 2
Module 7: Preparing An Industry-Ready Demo – March 9
Module 8: Next Steps as a Songwriter – March 16

$999.99 – Price includes eight guided, downloadable, in-depth songwriting modules supported by weekly live sessions. Every student also receives a finished demo of their original song, an American Songwriter membership, magazine subscription, access to community, and more! 

No, this course is designed for songwriters at any stage in their development. 

No, every writing journey looks different. No matter your technical expertise, Foundations will work to ensure you can create a song & a workflow that you’re proud of.

Not at all. You don’t need to play an instrument to be a songwriter. Foundations gives you the tools and guidance to develop strong ideas, lyrics, melodies, and stories, and you’ll graduate the course with a professionally produced  demo of your original song.

Foundations is designed to fit into a busy schedule and will require around 3–5 hours per week. This includes live lessons, completing songwriting exercises, participating in feedback/community, and working on your song. The course is fully structured to be manageable alongside your full-time commitments.

Terms & Conditions

Go From Blank Page to Finished Song in Just 8 Weeks!

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Partners

Artist First. Forever.
Preferred demo production partner offering 10% off with the code ASW.