Finding Hope in the Music: Songwriting for New Voices - Adults & Teens

About

A creative space for new songwriters to explore healing. You’ll learn basic song structure, lyric writing, and melody—all rooted in honest emotion and personal stories.

Materials

A pen

Notepad

Voice recorder (an app on a smartphone works too)

Small portable instrument (optional)

Facilitator

Kat McDowell is an award-winning bilingual singer-songwriter known for her heartfelt lyrics and unique blend of J-Pop, acoustic rock, and island vibes. With over a decade of international touring experience and songs featured in film, TV, and commercials, Kat brings a global perspective to the art of storytelling through music. Her songwriting weaves vulnerability with uplifting melodies, creating deeply resonant and memorable songs. Kat is passionate about helping others find their authentic voice and has led songwriting workshops around the world, inspiring both emerging and seasoned songwriters to write with purpose, clarity, and emotional connection.

• Failure to abide by the policies may result in not being able to register for following sessions.

• All classes are offered on a first come, first serve basis.
• Notices (class cancellations, schedule changes, etc.) are sent via email and emergency notifications by phone.

• Due to our limited programming, please refrain from signing up for more than 1 workshop. Teens can sign up for unlimited workshops.
• Fees will be collected during the registration process and are non-refundable.

• Waitlists will start once the workshop becomes full. As spots become available, waitlisted students will receive an email through Eventbrite informing them they have 24 hours to register.
• An authorized parent or guardian must accompany students aged 12 and below to the assigned studio to sign the student in and out of class.

• Students must be within the age range specified in the class listing. Barnsdall Junior Arts Center Gallery reserves the right to cancel enrollment for any students who are not within the specified age range.
• The gallery is not responsible for any students after the workshop time has finished.
• No guests, including parents, are permitted in the gallery during the workshops.

• All workshops are at risk of cancellation after the first class meeting if at least 50% of the workshop slots are not filled. In case of a cancellation due to low enrollment, students will be notified immediately by email. Lab fees will be refunded.

• Failure to arrive within the first 15 minutes of class time will be considered a no-show in order to respect the instructor’s time.
• Only enrolled students will be allowed in the workshop.
• Food and drinks are not allowed in the gallery. Waterbottles and drinks can be kept at the gallery reception desk.
• Restrooms are for student use. The gallery attendant will have restroom codes. Please do not share restroom codes or allow others into the restrooms.
• The BJAC gallery is not responsible for lost/stolen/damaged artwork or personal belongings.
• Please reach out for more information regarding service animals.
• The Barnsdall Junior Arts Center Gallery strives to have a safe and respectful environment for all.

I understand that the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA) is dedicated to providing educational programs and arts training to young people and adults through its community arts and cultural facilities. To describe and promote its efforts, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs will produce audio, video, photographs, and printed materials.

I authorize the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, in collaboration with the participants in such programs and arts training, to record, edit, change, modify, display, present, reproduce, distribute the name, image, voice, likeness, artwork, interview, and/or performance of me and combine any or all of the same with the names, images, voices, likenesses, artwork, interviews, and performances of other participants in the above-named programs and training.

All videotape, audiotape, printed materials, and photographs shall be owned by and are the property of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs.

It is the policy of the City of Los Angeles to provide access to its programs and services for persons with disabilities in accordance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, as amended. As a covered entity under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities.

Except for the active negligence or willful misconduct of the CITY, or any of its Boards, Officers, Agents, Employees, Assigns and Successors in interest, Student undertakes and agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the CITY and any of its Boards, Officers, Agents, Employees, Assigns, and Successors in interest from and against all suits and causes of action, claims, losses, demands and expenses, including, but not limited to, attorney’s fees (both in house and outside counsel) and costs of litigation (including all actual litigation costs incurred by the CITY, including but not limited to, costs of experts and consultants), damages or liability of any nature whatsoever, for death or injury to any person, including Student employees and agents, or damage or destruction of any property of either party hereto or of third parties, arising in any manner by reason of the negligent acts, errors, omissions or willful misconduct incident to the performance of this Agreement by Student or for any reason giving six (6) months written notice to the other party.

Your child’s safety in Barnsdall Park is extremely important. For this reason children ages 12 years old and under must be accompanied at all times by a parent or adult guardian when not in a class session. This includes using the stairs, restrooms, and the elevator. The Barnsdall Junior Arts Center Gallery (BJACG) is not liable for any unattended child(ren).

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