FREE Songwriting Workshop May 17th in Vale, Oregon!
Bring your guitars, instruments and creativity to the Drexel H. Foundation first ever annual songwriting workshop. Experienced local songwriters leading the FREE event will guide people of all ages on how to write songs. The Drexel Foundation is having this workshop to help writers and musicians boost confidence and learn more about songwriting. This workshop is open to all ages & folks from the entire Treasure Valley on May 17th from 10:00 am to 12:00pm at Vale’s Grand Opera House. All written materials & snacks will be provided with a drawing for a free refurbished bike at the end.
Drexel has some very special guests attending to help teach this workshop. “At Drexel’s 1st Songwriting competition in 2024 some teens expressed that it would be helpful to have guidance from experienced songwriters. We listened and created this workshop to get people to learn how to write lyrics and compose music so they have tools to enter Drexel’s upcoming May songwriting competition.” said Sandijean Fuson, President of the Drexel Foundation. The goal is by attending the free workshop, musicians have input needed to feel confident in their song & music composition.
The workshop leaders are local songwriters and musicians themselves in the Treasure Valley. The multi-talented artists leading will be Tom Taylor and Rochelle Smith. These wonderful volunteers are local songwriters that have experience in composing and performing music. Tom Taylor’s original work and soundtracks combine the musical influences of classic rock, dream pop, British invasion and chill wave genres. Tom’s live music performances offer crowd-pleasing medleys. His dynamic vocals and guitar draw audiences who enjoy well-known classics, plus unique original songs, that inspire and deliver a memorable and uplifting musical experience. Not only is he an amazing composer and performer but he is also a director, writer, filmmaker and motion graphics animator. Rochelle Smith is a filmmaker, radio announcer and most importantly a songwriter. She often tries to capture interesting stories from the people around her. She has several films and songs that she has created. At KRVB “The River” radio station she wears many hats as DJ, assistant program director, radio announcer and sound engineer. She also is a blogger and emcees for live events such as “Alive After 5” in downtown Boise. You may have seen her perform recently with Brook Faulk, or at Riverside Hotel with Jenn Snyder. She creates folk rock, acoustic rock, etc. and Rochelle’s advice is “tell your story” in song writing, poetry or art…” don’t be afraid.” To learn more information about her, visit Rochelle Smith on Youtube.
“These artists are multi-talented and do amazing creative work. The Drexel Foundation is super excited to have their help as volunteers to impart advise & inspire folks at this FREE workshop.” remarked Sandijean Fuson. The Drexel Foundation was originally created to help preserve the Historic 1908 Vale Hotel (Hotel Drexel) and 1895 Grand Opera House. At its inception, the goal was to create an art center in a portion of the Grand Opera House and later in the Vale Hotel, thus, providing a space for the community to enjoy cultural events and art education. Preservation is ongoing, with handicap bathrooms the next goal for the Grand Opera House restoration. In 1995, the first Art Camp & Talent Show was held. Over the years the foundation has added several annual art programs, humanities, and cultural events. The songwriting workshop was added this year to help young artists express their voice and learn to have confidence in their work. The workshop was also created to go hand in hand with the songwriting competition with a submission deadline May 28th, 2025. In this competition there are in the 4 age categories, with $100 cash for 1st place in each age group. Everyone who participates win prizes. The idea is that artists will come to the workshop and learn how to write their own song and enter them into the Drexel’s song writing competition, then perform at the Art Beat on Main Street event May 31 from 3-6pm. This is where the Songwriting competition winners will be announced and another drawing for a free bike will be held. “Inclusive art experiences and opportunities are vital to our programing. Inclusion to us means creating within the individuals involved a true sense of belonging. Belonging at our events and belonging within our Eastern Oregon community. That is why we make the workshop FREE to all. Vale has an art vibe, and our rural area has so many vibrant artists, so we always include all ages, and gives prizes to all who participate in any of Drexel’s art events,” commented Fuson. For more information, visit the Drexel Foundation’s website,www.thedrexelfoundation.org. facebook, or Instagram to learn more and find the songwriting competition registration sheet.
