Build the song
Develop the central idea, structure, harmony, melody, lyrics, and hooks that make the song work.
6-Week Program
Only 8 Spots
Take Your Song From Idea to Stage
Work with Travis Carroll to develop an original song from the first idea through melody, harmony, lyrics, rewriting, arrangement, and performance—then perform it live on the Frets & Beyond stage.
Ages 16+. No prior songwriting experience required. 4-student minimum / 8-student hard cap.
By the end of the program
- Complete an original song
- Develop a repeatable songwriting process
- Work with melody, harmony, lyrics, hooks, and arrangement
- Receive instructor guidance and peer feedback
- Prepare your song for live performance
- Perform at the final Singer-Songwriter Showcase
Open to
Singers
Instrumentalists
Aspiring songwriters
Ages 16+
Basic musical experience is helpful, but not required. You do not have to play guitar or piano to participate.
More than six songwriting classes
Song ideas often stall as voice memos, lyric fragments, chord progressions, or unfinished drafts. This program gives you a structured path, weekly goals, practical tools, feedback, and a real finish line: a completed song you are prepared to perform.
Refine the song
Rewrite, edit, arrange, and make intentional choices about dynamics, instrumentation, and tempo.
Perform the song
Prepare the finished work for a live audience and perform it at the Singer-Songwriter Showcase.
Your instructor
Travis Carroll is a singer, songwriter, performer, and instructor who brings a practical, song-first approach to the writing process.
Small-cohort format
- Maximum of 8 students
- Room for instructor feedback and peer critique
- Guided weekly writing goals
- Performance preparation built into the course
Travis Carroll
Singer-Songwriter Program
Frets & Beyond Music Academy • Allen, TX
Six weeks from first idea to finished song
Each week builds toward a completed original song and live performance.
Week 1
Songwriting Fundamentals
What makes a song work, song forms, listening, central idea/title, and verse/chorus concepts.
Week 2
Chord Progressions & Melody
Nashville Number System, common progressions, tension and release, melody, chord tones, and chorus ideas.
Week 3
Lyric Writing
Showing vs. telling, imagery, rhyme, rhythm, point of view, specificity, and lyric rewriting.
Week 4
Hooks & Song Structure
Types of hooks, structural contrast, full song mapping, first complete draft, and peer critique.
Week 5
Rewriting & Arrangement
Editing, dynamics, instrumentation, tempo, feedback, final-draft work, and performance preparation.
Week 6
Performance & Song Clinic
Presenting original songs, stage communication, handling mistakes, confidence, performance, feedback, and sustainable writing habits.
Program schedule
Six 90-minute Saturday sessions plus the final evening showcase.
Class dates
- September 26 — Week 1
- October 3 — Week 2
- October 10 — Week 3
- October 17 — Week 4
- October 24 — Week 5
- October 31 — No Class (Halloween)
- November 7 — Week 6, 10:00–11:30 AM
Final Showcase
Saturday, November 7 • 7:00 PM
Students return that evening to perform the original songs developed during the program for invited family and friends. Showcase participation is included in tuition, and there is no separate guest admission charge.
Showcase participation is strongly encouraged but is not required to complete the instructional portion of the program.
Tuition & enrollment
Enrollment is intentionally limited to keep the program focused and interactive.
$299
Includes all six instructional sessions and participation in the final showcase.
$49
The $49 registration deposit is applied toward the $299 tuition, leaving a $250 balance. The remaining balance is requested after the program is confirmed.
Reserve your place
Complete the participant information and the two acknowledgments below. Your selections will be recorded before you continue to Stripe for the secure $49 deposit.
- $49 deposit applies toward the $299 tuition
- Only 8 spots available
- Participant must be age 16 or older
- Stripe will also require acceptance of Frets & Beyond's general Terms of Service at checkout
Please review the Singer-Songwriter Program Terms & Registration Agreement before continuing.
FAQ
Quick answers before you register.
Do I need prior songwriting experience?
No. No prior songwriting experience is required. Basic musical experience can be helpful, but it is not required.
Do I need to play guitar or piano?
No. The program is open to singers, instrumentalists, and aspiring songwriters. You do not have to be a guitarist or pianist to participate.
What happens if the program does not reach minimum enrollment?
A minimum of 4 fully paid students is required. If Frets & Beyond cancels because minimum enrollment is not reached, payments collected will be refunded to the original payment method.
When is the remaining $250 due?
Once Frets & Beyond confirms that the program will proceed and requests final payment, the remaining $250 balance is due within 48 hours unless a different written deadline is provided.
What if I miss a class?
Because this is a cohort-based group program, individual absences do not qualify for refunds, tuition credits, prorated tuition, or private makeup lessons.
Do I have to give media permission?
No. Media permission is a separate choice from accepting the Program Terms. You may select Yes or No during registration.