A Woman’s Voice

A Songwriting/CD Recording Workshop

A Woman’s Voice is a Songwriting CD/Recording workshop, taught by singer songwriter Robin Lane, in which women who have experienced trauma, addiction, violence, or mental health issues learn how to identify and end abuse and gain self-empowerment through songwriting.

A Woman’s Voice will engage, inspire, and give participants the opportunity to bring about change in their lives, their communities, and the world.

The goal of A Woman’s Voice is to provide a vehicle for participants to tap into their own inner healing capabilities through creative self-expression using the elements of lyrics put to music.

The 12 Week Program Design for A Woman’s Voice

Overview

Each Workshop will include 10 to 20 women working in a collaborative environment to create and produce a music CD. 

Benefits

By encouraging both individual and team growth, the creativity within each participant will be allowed to emerge and blend into a unique composition. Through this artistic process of songwriting, the participants will find their own voice.

Schedule

One two-hour session twice weekly for 12 weeks. 

Proposed Setting

{C}·      A comfortable room with sofa, chairs, and carpeted floor that invites an informal atmosphere.

{C}·      Guitars and other musical instruments will be used depending on the skill and interest of the participants. No prior musical experience is required.

Methodology

Creating an atmosphere of inspiration and fun, Robin relies heavily on improvisation, enabling participants to set the tone for the direction of the class. Participants are encouraged and guided to take expressive risks to experiment lyrically and poetically. The first four weeks are spent listening to and discussing various songwriters and bands. Participants are exposed to a wide spectrum of recording artists and musical styles and are encouraged to share their own favorites. They explore ideas and learn the process of writing a song, lyrics and melody. Incorporating this process within the song structure, the participants learn to make an effective statement based on their thoughts and feelings. Participants are encouraged and given the opportunity to sing or to play an instrument if they wish. The next eight weeks involve finishing songs, recording, and packaging the CD. Participants may be brought into a professional recording studio with professional musicians, or may use a portable studio in the classroom. Participants use acoustic and electric instruments and possibly computer programs. The songs are recorded, mixed, and mastered. Additional time may be needed to finish recording and create the artwork for the CD insert and cover. Marketing materials may be generated if they choose to release their CD for sale.

Crucial ingredients of A Woman’s Voice:

  • Community. Non-existent at the start of program community is built slowly and powerfully over the many weeks.
  • Understanding and Compassion. These come slowly as women share, express similar experiences and truly show caring for one another.
  • Permission to Tell. As each participant dares to share a little deeper, so does the next participant. Truth, accompanied by empathy, compassion, support, and community, brings healing.
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  • Support. The support is self-evident but needs to be mentioned as a separate entity.
  • Play. Powerful and Unexplainable

Objectives of A Woman’s Voice:

  • Participants come together as a group and bond with one another.
  • Participants begin to tell their stories to one another.
  • Participants help one another with their pain and feelings of isolation.
  • Participants begin to formulate songs out of their stories.
  • Participants record their songs.
  • Participants see the project through to completion, with recording of songs onto an Audio CD. We usually hold some type of performance to bring light to what they have accomplished.

Long-term outcomes of A Woman’s Voice:

·      Participants acquire the ability and motivation to engage in creative activities.

·      Participants engage in these activities as an alternative to substance abuse, risky sexual behavior, gang membership, and violence.

·      Participants learn teamwork and peer bonding.

·      Participants attach to positive role models.

Quotes

“A Woman’s Voice program encourages us that our story matters; that our stories and the songs that are in our heart are every woman’s story. That we are so NOT alone.” Heidi

“This has been one of the most significant experiences of my life. I suffer from PTSD. A Woman’s Voice helped me to address my pain and what needed healing. Through the process of writing my own song, much of my shame has been lifted like a veil, and I can now see what I have to give. I am doing things I never thought possible before doing the workshop.” Jerri

“I had the personal privilege of attending the first A Woman’s Voice workshop conducted by Robin Lane and I can honestly say it has been one of the most enriching experiences of my creative life. Robin has the ability to be an active and thoughtful participant in the songwriting process while providing needed support and encouragement so that women can access their own voice.” Maria Rodman, ex-director Women's Centers of Western MA

“To deal with the trauma I experienced as a child and as a teen, I need to write; yet a tide of emotions just wasn’t given voice until I was part of the A Woman’s Voice program.” Kare {C}