This songwriting program is divided into four steps:
1. Claire will play some songs with her guitar, and we will discuss song structure, choosing the right words, rhyme scheme etc. – 45 min
2. Using a fun writing technique called the Universe Poem, we will go through a creative-flow process to make a list of words and ideas that will become the skeleton of our song. – 45 min
3. Taking our Universe Poem, we will now put it into a song structure, find the right words to fill it out, paint a picture or tell a story for the listener. This is the meat to our skeleton. – 45 min
4. We will now take time to develop the song, get feedback from Claire and others, practice, then share the song with the class if they want to. – 45 min
| Grade Suitability | K-12 |
| Maximum Class Size | 25 |
| Time Required | 4 hours + 1 hour prep time |
| Material Required | Paper, pencils, Wi-Fi and YouTube access. |
| Material Cost | none |
| Language of Instruction | English, French |
| Communities | All |
Claire Ness grew up in Whitehorse, then studied Comedy Writing and Performance at Humber College in Toronto, and Circus Training at École Nationale de Cirque in Montréal.
Claire is a prolific songwriter in a variety of genres: blues, country, folk, jazz, children’s, musical theatre, francophone, and comedy. Her album “Broccoli Farm” won a Canadian Folk Music Award and a Western Canadian Music Award.
Claire is the Founding Artistic Director of the Yukon Circus Society and loves to bring circus camps and workshops across the Yukon. She recently won the Yukon 125 Medal for her outstanding dedication and remarkable contributions to the Yukon community.