Creative Development Workshops and Artist Development Programs for Your Community
I Heart Songwriting Club supports music industry peak bodies, local governments, festivals, schools, and even record labels to deliver robust creative development programs incorporating songwriting workshops, artist development, industry mentorship and more.
In consultation with stakeholders, we tailor our curriculum to the needs and goals of the community. We bring expert creative leadership and education into community to develop creative knowledge and skill, we identify local partners to work with to bolster local business, and build programs that empower communities to creatively thrive over time. We deliver our programs both in person and online,
Find out more below about what drives us, some outcomes of our work, and ways we can support your organisation.
Our Purpose
I Heart Songwriting Club inspires creativity for songwriters and artists by providing an online interactive platform for the practice and development of songwriting; we promote and build community for songwriters so that they thrive; and we provide tools, resources and support for songwriters and artists to flourish so that they reach new career and creative heights.
We deliver this through our online songwriting club (The Club), mentored youth and adults songwriting courses (Beginner Songwriting Courses), guided collaboration programs (Co-Writing Course), through artist development programs (Level Up Club), and tailored creative development programs.
We are committed to:
- empowering all people with tools and guidance to do creative activities,
- building community and local leadership for songwriters whilst increasing creative output for career development,
- providing an accessible online platform for all songwriters to develop their songwriting skills, improve their well-being and connect with other creatives,
- providing ongoing resources, tools and guidance for songwriters and artists to overcome barriers and take the next step in their career.
We are committed to:
- empowering all people with tools and guidance to do creative activities,
- building community and local leadership for songwriters whilst increasing creative output for career development,
- providing an accessible online platform for all songwriters to develop their songwriting skills, improve their well-being and connect with other creatives,
- providing ongoing resources, tools and guidance for songwriters and artists to overcome barriers and take the next step in their career.
We believe that:
- creativity has a profound impact on mental and physical well-being, boosting brain function, reducing stress, improving mental health and enhancing physical health
- creativity encourages new ideas and new ways of thinking for creatives, which can lead to increased innovation, productivity, and personal satisfaction.
- creativity is for everyone and everybody can write songs
- creativity and songwriting is at the heart of the music industry
- high-output productivity builds resilience in songwriters and results in quality songs over time
- that isolated songwriters are more at risk of failing mental and/or career health
- that peer and community support can increase levels of self-esteem, confidence and feelings of connectedness
- that a regular songwriting practice coupled with peer support can lead to positive career and mental health outcomes.
Stories from some of Our Partners
“Francesca’s workshop was a much talked about and much-loved session with many participants taking steps immediately to make this a reality for themselves. Many new songs were written as a result of this workshop. The space that she held for songwriters and her clear understanding of the songwriting journey reminded us just how important creativity, connectivity and community is for the betterment and wellness of our songwriting community. We whole-heartedly recommend, support and welcome Francesca back at any future Durango Songwriters Expo”
“Francesca came to The Music District in February 2020 to host workshops for songwriters of all levels. During her residency here, she hosted both beginner classes and classes for more advanced musicians. It was a tremendous experience having her here on campus. So many local musicians dove deep in her sessions and came out writing amazing tunes, facing writing blocks, and beginning their musical journey. At the end of the week, students from each session showcased their brand-new songs at a local restaurant and pub to family, friends and customers who just happened upon the showcase!”
“Francesca has a manner of working with the students that is somehow both supportive and challenging. She creates an environment where the students feel safe, but also sufficiently challenged to work outside their comfort zones. This is a balance which is rarely achieved in a ‘traditional’ classroom setting, and as a result new visions of what music making can be materialise for them. She uses questions to guide students in the creative process and realise the possibilities themselves, rather that leading them to, or even giving them the answer.
I approached our student song-writing workshop with the goal of having an original song around a pre-arranged theme composed and recorded by the end of the day. Francesca threw this goal out the window and framed the workshop as a rich, liberating learning experience for the students, where the goal was to collaborate, connect, experiment and express. By the end of the day the students had not only participated in a learning and creating experience that will stick with them, but had created a genuinely collaborative artwork that vastly exceeded my, and everyone else at my school’s expectations.”
Meet our Founder
Francesca de Valence
Songwriter, Educator and Founder of I Heart Songwriting Club
Francesca de Valence is a multi-award-winning songwriter, educator, and the founder of I Heart Songwriting Club, as well as the co-founder of the Whitsundays Songwriter Festival. With a vast catalog of over 700 songs, including a remarkable 10-year streak of writing a song every week, Francesca’s work has been recorded and performed by renowned artists like Vika & Linda and Wendy Matthews.
Francesca is a game-changer in the songwriting community, having contributed to the creation of 30,000 songs and transformed the lives of thousands of songwriters globally through her innovative songwriting programs. As a music industry mentor, she helps artists tour nationally, expand their audiences, and build sustainable careers.
A passionate educator with degrees in music and education (M.Mus, B.Mus, B.Ed), Francesca has taught at top-tier music universities and led workshops worldwide, in collaboration with organizations such as APRA AMCOS, the Irish Music Rights Organisation, and Folk Alliance International.
She’s written a monthly column for Songwriting Magazine UK, produced a bi-weekly ABC Radio songwriting segment, and continues to facilitate workshops across the globe. Francesca also shares her expertise through her inspiring podcast, The Magic of Songwriting.