offerings

Songwriting can be an elusive process fraught with comparison, imposter syndrome and so many pitfalls of fear and self-doubt.

What it has the potential to be is an exhilarating experience of co-creating with the energies of life, a tool for deep self-acceptance and a vessel for experiencing our shared humanity. (among other things!)

Can anyone create songs?

If you have the desire to, yes!

Do I have to have a certain level of musical skill?

No! You need to be able to make a rhythm and sing a basic tune, and have something to express. Anything else is extra.

In my experience, the most important part of songwriting is your communication with yourself; this includes your willingness to pay attention, to listen to your inner promptings and to trust that your experience of life is worth expressing.

This takes a different kind of practice. It’s more about clearing the path to your river of song by seeing where you don’t allow yourself to follow a hunch, or give yourself space to fully experience a feeling, or where you don’t even give yourself permission to try.

THE FUN PART IS… having freedom to explore, experiment and take everything you experience down to the tiniest detail as fodder for creativity. You feeling ‘meh’ on a cloudy day is the perfect start of a song. So is enjoying a walk in nature, or looking closely at lichen on granite. I’ve even written a song about feeling blocked when writing a song!

Your Guide

Lisa Doscher is a singer-songwriter, song leader and mentor to singers. Steeped in American folk traditions as well as her upbringing of singing around the campfire, she evokes the simple and sublime experience of human connection through song. Lisa’s songwriting is inspired by folk (s)heros including Joni Mitchell, the Indigo Girls and Ani DiFranco. Her passion for equity and understanding drives her lyrics and she believes in the power of creativity to lead us all to our own wholeness. Lisa's writing draws you in closer with a simple line, stripped down to just her voice, or thick harmonies that wash over and ignite the senses. With her voice, guitar and live looper, Lisa blends introspective folk with Gospel-inspired choruses that will have you singing along and leave you feeling connected, rejuvenated and inspired.

Lisa’s 2024 album release ‘Return Home’ debuted at #26 on the FAI folk charts alongside Allison Russell's 'The Returner'

“Return Home’ is wonderful! I listen to our new releases and make notes next to the songs I particularly like. The problem with this record is that there are notes on every song!

It’s that good.” - Bill Coyle, Hudson Harding Music,

Philadelphia, PA, USA

Praise for 'Tuning In: Songs to Reconnect and Recharge'

"This album is like a rejubilating hug from the Divine"

-Jessica Manley, Poet, 'Enchanted Rant'

"Listening to all of these songs is like having a massage or a really good cry with a close friend- Lisa's warm voice and gentle rhythms feel to me like a laying on of hands." -Patricia Norton, 'A Breath of Song' Podcast Creator

The Journey

Weeks 1-2 Creating the Roadmap

We’ll dip our toes into the river and create a song together!

I’ll illuminate some of the different styles of songwriting for you to explore and see what yours is

You’ll do some independent research about your unique path to the river- what lights you up? What catches your attention? I’ll give some exercises of different styles you can try.

We’ll talk about your songwriting ‘vessel’ which is you- how to get into a creative state and back into flow when you feel doubtful or stuck. We’ll do some awareness and embodiment practices.

Weeks 3-4 Writing Your Song

We’ll use ideas you’ve gathered or songs you’ve started, talk about where to go next, following your inklings, writing a bit and engaging in constant conversation with the spirit of your song and what it wants to express.

We’ll look at what your gifts are and use this to guide your style and process.

We’ll goooo with the floooow and enjoy being taken down the river- and get stuck- and clear the debris- and flow again!

Weeks 5-6 Going Deeper

We’ll deepen the process and see where your song is connecting, with yourself and others.

We’ll look at how to use challenging experiences and discomfort as a guide, and songwriting as a tool for healing. You’ll have a chance to share your song or part of it with the group.

Weeks 7-8 Birthing Your Song

We’ll continue to hone your song into something you feel good about.

We’ll talk about sharing your song (or not) and how to birth it into the world.

We’ll have a final circle to welcome and celebrate the songs and you as a songwriter.

Find YOUR unique path to the river of song