COURSE OVERVIEW
The Art of Songwriting takes you from blank page to finished demo - covering lyrics, melody, harmony, and structure while teaching you to craft music that resonates both emotionally and commercially.
Led by acclaimed producer and songwriter Dylan Ronan (credits with HBO, Netflix, Fox, and major labels), this course shares proven techniques used by today’s hitmakers. You’ll learn to think like both an artist and a professional songwriter—analyzing trends, mastering collaboration, and developing your own signature sound.
By the end, you’ll have the creative and technical skills to confidently write, co-write, and demo professional-quality songs ready for artists, labels, or sync placement.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Lyric Writing & Storytelling – Turn real experiences into emotional, relatable songs.
Melody & Hooks – Create catchy melodies and progressions that stick.
Song Structure & Arrangement – Build songs that flow and connect from start to finish.
Collaboration & Co-Writing – Work with others to elevate your creative ideas.
Music Business Essentials – Understand publishing, splits, and how to pitch your songs.
IN-DEMAND SONGWRITER
Known for his versatile songwriting and production style, Dylan Ronan has worked with artists including Christina Milian, Young Money, Taylor Gang, and Panic! at the Disco, with credits across HBO, Netflix, and CBS. With over a decade of experience in Pop, Country, Hip Hop, and Indie, he brings industry expertise teaching you how to craft powerful lyrics, melodies, and demos ready for artists, labels, and sync placements.
GROUP or 1-on-1
The Art of Songwriting is available as group or 1-on-1 instruction. Group courses, offered only four times a year and capped at 3-4 students, promote teamwork, musical collabaration, and close interaction fellow songwriters and instructors. 1-on-1 courses can begin anytime you’re ready and provide a flexible schedule, hands-on experience, and a personalized curriculum tailored to your music industry goals.
10 CLASS CURRICULUM
CLASS 1: From Influence to Identity
Identify your musical identity and learn how to draw inspiration from multiple genres.
Explore songwriting styles in Pop, Rock, R&B, Hip Hop, Country, and Film/TV.
Learn to analyze lyrics, melodies, and intent—whether writing for yourself, other artists, or sync.
Begin your songwriting journal and define your artistic voice.
CLASS 2: LYRICISM 101
Master the fundamentals of lyric writing and storytelling.
Learn how to use imagery, metaphor, rhyme, and structure to craft memorable songs.
Explore how top writers like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and Billie Eilish evoke emotion.
Practice turning real experiences into lyrics that connect with listeners.
CLASS 3: MELODY & HARMONY
Understand how melody and harmony shape a song’s emotional power.
Study common chord progressions and melodic patterns used in today’s hits.
Experiment with creating hooks, vocal phrasing, and dynamic variation.
Compose melodies over your own lyrics to bring your stories to life.
CLASS 4: song structures & arrangements
Discover how structure gives shape and movement to a song.
Break down common forms like Verse–Chorus–Bridge and AABA.
Learn how arrangement, contrast, and tension keep listeners engaged.
Map and rebuild existing hits to understand how great songs evolve.
CLASS 5: ADVANCED LYRIC TECHNIQUES – WORDPLAY, HOOKS & STORYTELLING DEPTH
Elevate your lyric writing with advanced phrasing and creative wordplay.
Study how top songwriters build unforgettable hooks and story arcs.
Refine your lyrical voice with deeper meaning and more powerful imagery.
CLASS 6: writing for emotion & audience
Write songs that connect deeply and authentically.
Learn to balance vulnerability and universality in your lyrics.
Explore empathy-driven writing and how to speak to your audience’s emotions.
Refine your lyrics to maximize emotional clarity and impact.
CLASS 7: PUBLISHING, CREDITS & PROS
Learn the business side of songwriting and how to protect your work.
Understand publishing, songwriting splits, and royalty collection.
Get step-by-step guidance on registering with ASCAP, BMI, or SESAC.
Practice filling out split sheets and learn how to handle co-writing credits.
CLASS 8: COLLABORATION & CO-WRITING
Master the art of collaboration and creative communication.
Learn how to brainstorm, share ideas, and divide roles effectively.
Co-write with classmates to explore different writing styles and workflows.
Gain confidence working in real-world songwriting sessions.
CLASS 9: DEMOING, POLISHING & PERFORMANCE
Bring your song to life through demo production and live delivery.
Learn arranging, vocal tracking, and performance phrasing.
Record a simple demo using your chosen DAW.
Present your final song for peer and instructor feedback.
CLASS 10: Recording & Demo Production
Work directly with your instructor to arrange and produce your chosen song using Logic or Ableton.
Record your official demo in Pro Tools under guided, in-studio supervision.
Experiment together with MIDI instrumentation, vocal layering, and basic mixing techniques.
Complete a professional demo of your song—ready to share with artists, labels, or sync opportunities.
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF COURse
At the end of the 10-class course, students earn a Certificate of Completion, but the real achievement is the knowledge, tools, and confidence to complete final products - fully realized original songs! Our goal is to prepare you to thrive as a songwriter, whether writing for yourself, collaborating with artists, or contributing within a studio, label, or management environment. Many of our graduates have gone on to release their own albums, collaborate with peers, build studios, work in professional recording facilities, and even land positions at radio stations.
CONTINUED SONGWRITING SUPPORT
Even after completing the course, students continue to benefit from Dylan’s ongoing mentorship and industry insight. He remains available to offer guidance, answer questions, and provide feedback as students advance in their songwriting careers. From navigating placements to refining techniques across multiple genres, Dylan ensures his students feel supported and confident long after graduation. His continued involvement fosters lasting creative growth and reflects his genuine commitment to every songwriter’s success.
MORE INFORMATION
ELIGIBILITY: Anyone (beginner or intermediate) interested in learning songwriting is eligible for this class.
REQUIREMENTS: Applicants are asked to provide a short example of their songwriting (voice memo, lyric sheet, or demo). This assists our instructors in placing each student within the appropriate class level: beginner, intermediate, or private instruction. No prior songwriting or recording experience is required. Playing an instrument is a plus, but not mandatory.
LENGTH: This is a 10-class (50 total hours) course that is delivered as a group or 1-on-1 instruction. 10 consecutive weeks: Ten of the classes are 5-hour lessons.
PRICE: $3,000 for the group class. $5000 for 1-on-1 instruction. The 1-on-1 tuition reflects a highly specialized curriculum, dedicated studio time, flexible schedule and personalized attention to the individual student. Ask about our payment plans!
TO REGISTER: We require a 50% deposit to reserve your seat. The balance is due by the start date of the course OR you can participate in our payment plan. There are no additional costs.
NEXT COURSE COUNTDOWN: January 2026. Classes run four times a year. Scheduling is flexible for holidays. If you do not want to wait until January 2026, we recommend enrolling in the 1-on-1 version of this course. 1-on-1 courses have “ongoing admissions” and can begin whenever you are ready.