ABOUT New Songs Fest
Songwriters are at the heart of our arts community and this is where we begin to grow the next season of songwriters. New Songs is a songwriting festival featuring three days of workshops, evening concerts, multiple breakout and coaching sessions, practice space, and a professional production on stage in front of a public audience.
April 25 - 27th, 2025
Be one of our 25 artists in residence for the weekend!
VIDEO New Songs Fest
2025 WORKSHOP LEADS & COACHES
Rita Hosking
Host & Workshop Instructor
Ayla Nereo
Workshop Instructor
Laurie Lewis
Workshop Instructor
Workshop attendees get:
- Three days of workshops with topics including songwriting, technical production, instrumental, and vocal/rhythm
- One ticket to three concerts during the festival
- Two coaching/feedback sessions
- Lunch provided during the festival
- Access to various practice rooms
- A public performance on a professionally produced stage*
*Participants are encouraged but not required to perform a piece of work at the festival.
Limited spots are available - don't miss your chance to attend this year.
2025 FULL SCHEDULE
Friday 4/25/25 | What | Location |
|---|---|---|
9:30 am | Check-in | Lobby |
9:45 am | Quick Tour of Facility | Lobby start |
10 am – 11:30 am | Loop It w/ Rita Hosking | TBD |
12 pm – 1 pm | Lunch | Lobby/ Gallery |
1 pm – 2:30 pm | Receiving Song w/ Ayla Nereo | TBD |
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | Free Time | |
3:30 pm – 5 pm | Workshop w/ Justin Farren | TBD |
5 pm – 7 pm | Free Time | |
7 pm | Doors open to public | Lobby |
8 pm – 10 pm | Concert: Ayla Nereo | Main Stage |
Saturday 4/26/25 | What | Location |
|---|---|---|
9 am – 7 pm | Practice Rooms Open | Studios |
10 am – 12 pm | Small Group Song Workshopping | TBD |
12 pm – 1 pm | Lunch | Lobby/ Gallery |
1 pm – 2:30 pm | Getting Unstuck w/ Laurie Lewis | TBD |
2:30 pm – 3 pm | Free Time | |
3 pm – 4:30 pm | Getting The Song Across w/ Laurie Lewis | TBD |
4:30 pm – 5:30 | Free Time | |
5:30 – 6:15 pm | Q & A Session | TBD |
7 pm | Doors open to public | Lobby |
8 pm – 10:30 pm | Concert: Iris DeMent | Main Stage |
Sunday 4/27/25 | What | Location |
|---|---|---|
9 am – 5 pm | Practice Rooms Open | Studios |
10 am – 12 pm | Small Group Song Workshopping | TBD |
12 pm – 1 pm | Lunch | Lobby/ Gallery |
1 pm – 2:30 pm | Intro To Technical Production w/ Conrad Sisk | Main Stage |
2:30 pm – 5:30 pm | Free Time | |
5:30 pm – 8 pm | Songwriters Stage Time Performances | Main Stage |
2025 WORKSHOP LEADS, & COACHES
Rita Hosking • Host & Workshop Instructor
4/25/25 WORKSHOP: Loop It
Finding new sounds with the help of your new friends – a group activity that explores rhythm, lyric, melody play, together.
BIO:
In a wavy world where we often struggle to swim, singer-songwriter Rita Hosking paddles up and canoes us through black holes, sinks of dirty dishes, demo-derbies, and wildfires until we’re safe at shore. She’s got the spirit, and she knows how to reach ours through her grace, heart, chops, and spunk. With award-winning music spanning 9 albums and 20 years of touring, this country-folk troubadour is a heavy hitter in the Northern California songwriting scene.
Ayla Nereo • Workshop Instructor
4/25/25 WORKSHOP: Receiving Song
An in-person workshop with international artist Ayla Nereo, who will share her vast array of tools and practices for expanding the creative channel, sparking inspiration, getting into receptivity, and co-creating songs in the moment. Included is a very special demo from Ayla, sharing a unique behind the scenes look into her process of songwriting in real time, and collaboratively creating a song together, live.
Laurie Lewis • Workshop Instructor
4/26/25 WORKSHOPS:
1. Getting Unstuck
Bring your snippets of songs and let’s see what might happen to them if we let them go. Bring paper, writing utensil, and instrument of your choice.
2. Putting The Song Across
We will delve into the aspects that can make a song sink or swim, when it’s time to share it with the outside world.
BIO:
For nearly four decades, Laurie Lewis has gathered fans and honors for her powerful and emotive voice and her versatile, dynamic songwriting. She is a sought-after recording producer and an equally skilled teacher and mentor.
And she is an inspiration and a ground-breaker – across genres, across geography and across gender barriers.
Justin Farren • Workshop Instructor
4/25/25 WORKSHOP
Workshop info coming soon!
BIO:
Justin Farren writes multidimensional songs that are both enchanting and seemingly effortless. Songs that are uniquely personal but endlessly inventive and highly relatable. Songs filled with the kind of sudden twists and turns that you never see coming but will never forget. Rich Warren of Folk Stage Chicago said “Justin Farren is an incredibly original artist with a lot of verve and energy and a terrific guitarist. He will absolutely charm you with the strange humor and cleverness of his lyrics.”
Conrad Sisk • Workshop Instructor
4/27/25 WORKSHOP: Intro To Technical Production
Learn the basics of what it takes to perform on a professional stage with the assistance of technical staff. This workshop is a practical introduction to prepare for the New Songs Stage Time performance on Sunday evening.
Jim Bruno • Songwriting Coach
Jim Bruno’s songs have been recorded by Grammy Winner Shawn Colvin, Chuck Prophet, Thad Cockrell, Mary Lou Lord, Cliff Eberhardt, Maurice Tani and Laurie MacAlister. He’s shared the stage with Shawn Colvin, Timothy B Schmidt, Graham Parker and more, and he taught songwriting at Foothill College and at the Freight and Salvage. One of his students at Foothill College was Mult-Grammy Winner, Molly Tuttle.
Paul Kamm • Songwriting Coach
Bio coming soon
Eli Conley • Songwriting Coach
Eli Conley is a folk/country singer-songwriter, teaching artist, and activist based in Sacramento. He makes music for queer and trans folks, justice seekers, and anyone who doesn’t fit in a box. Eli’s voice is tender and heartfelt, with melodies that can leave you teary-eyed yet hopeful. As a queer transgender man from the South, his songs tell stories that aren’t always reflected in roots music.
Juliet Gobert • Songwriting Coach
Juliet’s original songs range from tongue and cheek, to socially relevant, to love and loss. A mulit-instrumentalist, she’s performed at many of California’s premier music festivals, and taken part in several songwriters’ workshops, sharing her insights and methods. Juliet has recorded five CDs of heartfelt original tunes and is on stage in several groups ranging from Old Time Celtic, Back Porch Americana, Vintage Rock n Roll and Grateful Dead covers.
PANELISTS
Jim Bruno
Peter Wilson
Hannah Jane Kile
Velvy Appleton
Paul Kamm
Royal Wood
COACHES
- Jim Bruno
- Paul Kamm
- Hannah Jane Kile
- Velvy Appleton
- Peter Wilson
- Mark Vieaux
- Rita Hosking
- Jamal Walker
- Juliet Gobert
- Jorell Bahena
Our 2025 Concerts
Festival Cancellation / Refund Policy
Due to limited attendance and availability, we cannot guarantee refunds for attendee cancellation requests. Under no circumstances will we be responsible for refunds for airline, hotel, or car reservations. We reserve the right to change or cancel any speaker, instructor, performer or session without notice.