Songwriting Workshops and Mentorship Programs for your Community
I Heart Songwriting Club partners with festivals, councils, schools and arts organisations to deliver impactful songwriting programs that build confidence, nurture connection and inspire creative growth. Our workshops, courses and mentorship programs are designed to meet your community where they are — developing skills, strengthening communities, and cultivating collaboration through the shared joy of songwriting.
Find out more about our work below and our newest initiative: Songs from the Regions.
Our Purpose
Music connects, empowers and transforms. We provide tailored songwriting programs that build skills, confidence, and meaningful connections.
Our Commitment
We are committed to nurturing local voices, amplifying community stories, and supporting long-term creative growth.
Our Approach
Hands-on workshops, peer support, professional mentorship, and collaborative songwriting projects – designed to be practical, inclusive, and inspiring.
“This program has been totally life changing and has reenergised my very soul. I have re-found my mojo for life and feel more alive than I have for such a long time. There is this inner contentment and joy for life that I haven’t felt for quite some time and it has given me back the power to write for myself and the permission to take the time to do that.” – Margie Ross, Songwriter (Sarina QLD)
“It was incredible to have something for Queensland regional areas. I usually travel to NSW or Victoria to make connections, so this was wonderful to connect with others in regional Queensland.” – Cath Purcell, Songwriter (Gladstone, QLD)
Some of the participants of Songs from the Reef the pilot program of “Songs from the Regions” – a regional songwriting development and showcase program. Image at Reef Sundowner an official festival event on the QLD Music Trails – Reef Trail, June 2025.
Our Impact
Partner with us
We design and deliver songwriting programs that fit your organisation’s goals – whether you’re a festival wanting to nurture local talent, a council building creative opportunities, or a school fostering artistic growth.
Together, we’ll:
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Define your community’s goals and creative needs
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Co-design workshops, mentorships and performance outcomes
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Provide expert songwriting guidance and mentorship
If you want to inspire creativity, connection and collaboration in your community, we’d love to work with you.
“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 and serves as Secretary on the QMusic Board, the peak body for contemporary music industry development in Queensland.