MORRISTOWN — Songwriters across New Jersey and beyond are invited to attend the fourth annual New Jersey Songwriters’ Summit, a day-long event taking place Saturday, March 14, at the Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, located at 21 Normandy Heights Road. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. and features a full schedule of workshops, networking, and an evening concert. Registration for the daytime program is $144 and must be completed in advance.
Designed for songwriters of all levels and genres, the Summit offers hands-on workshops and creative coaching led by four acclaimed artists. Organized by Tina Ross, host of the “Inside the Song” podcast, the event focuses on songwriting technique and artistic growth. Ross emphasizes that instructors are selected for their skill in both songwriting and teaching, aiming to help attendees “dig deep and sharpen their craft.”
2026 Instructors:
- Amy Speace: Award-winning Nashville-based artist and author of To the Performer: A Singer-Songwriter’s Handbook, she brings two decades of performance coaching and university-level writing experience.
- Susan Cattaneo: Celebrated Boston singer-songwriter and former Berklee College of Music faculty member who’s mentored thousands.
- Mark Aaron James: Nashville and New York-based writer with credits spanning Jimmy Buffett to musical theater, known for his dynamic songwriting workshops.
- Carolann Solebello: Founding member of Red Molly, award-winning songwriter, and longtime contributor to NYC’s Jack Hardy Songwriters’ Exchange.
Workshop topics will include:
- Overcoming creative paralysis
- Writing songs on a tight deadline
- The craft of rewriting
- Showing vs. telling in lyrics
- “Brain tricks” to make songs more appealing
- Emotional authenticity in songwriting
Attendees can also take part in song swaps—small group breakouts where participants share original material—and enjoy meals and refreshments throughout the day. A song contest offers the chance for one participant to open the evening concert.
The day concludes with a public concert featuring Amy Speace and Susan Cattaneo, also available via webcast. Concert-only tickets are $25.00.
Presented by The Folk Project, the Summit is supported in part by Morris Arts and the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts.
Registration and Contact:
- Register at: folkproject.org
- More info: tinarossmusic.com
- Phone: 845-544-4583
