“I always knew performing was for me, but I certainly had my doubts about whether I could really ‘make it.  For a good part of my life I played it safe and became a yoga instructor, teaching all over NYC.  It finally came to a point where I was incredibly unhappy because I was living a life that was entirely inauthentic to who I was meant to be.

“Attending classes at The Songwriting School has taken my songwriting skills to a whole other level,” Alisha says.  “I've been writing for a while now, and I tend to stick with what I know I'm best at.  The Songwriting School has completely broadened my set of tools, giving me a variety of methods to choose from.  It has also challenged me to think outside of what I'm used to writing.  I've discovered a whole new side of what I'm capable of creating!”  

- Alisha Zalkin, songwriter, recording artist

"The assignments in THE ROOTS instantly inspired me to write.  Because I had the assignments to work on, I was too busy enjoying the creative process to feel worried about my life. . . Stretching beyond my comfort zone would likely have stopped me in the past, but being in the intimate class situation gave me an automatic sense of accountability and I saw things through like never before."

- Miranda Zeiger, singer/songwriter, The Gajillionaires, Willow Willow

"In my ever-constant search for the gift of inspiration from the Muse, I had to look no further than the Songwriter's Workshop.  The talent, musicianship, compassion, and undying encouragement from my fellow artistic warriors was exactly what I needed to elevate my songwriting, both qualitatively and quantitatively.  The Muse is a fickle lover, but as evidenced by all of the songs to have emerged, she has a definite affinity for the Songwriting School.  As do I!"

- Julie Mintz, singer/songwriter

An actress who always privately yearned to sing her own songs, Julie worked at her craft at The Songwriting School in classes like THE ROOTS, Guitar for Songwriters, Writing Songs for the Marketplace, and as a longtime member of the advanced Songwriter's Workshop.  She made the leap to full-time singer/songwriter in 2011 on the heels of performances at South By Southwest in her native Texas.  

“I have taken classes with Grammy-winning songwriters on both coasts and various workshops in Nashville, and this place is, hands down, my favorite.  It is a wonderful place for the absolute beginner to the advanced songwriter.

"One of my favorite parts of The School," Aliya muses, "is the people that I've met and the friends I've made. Especially because L.A. is so big, and it can be difficult to find people you connect with. I was very lucky in finding this place. . .because it put me in contact with people that are now good friends."

- Aliya Hashemi, singer/songwriter, actress, Los Angeles

Aliya has taken THE ROOTS, Songmakers, and is a member of The Songwriter's Workshop.  She is recording her debut record this year with her band, The Gajillionaires (with fellow Songwriting School student Miranda Zeiger).

"Working in THE ROOTS class at the Songwriting School of Los Angeles was one of the highlights of my summer in Los Angeles. The class encouraged me to finish songs that I had sitting around for years, and they're some of my favorites now.  Rob Seals will inspire you to be a better songwriter, and I can't recommend working with him enough."

-Shwa Losben, songwriter/recording artist 

Shwa earned the prestigious ASCAP Robert Allen Songwriting Award, for which he was honored at Lincoln Center and has opened for artists like Ben Folds and OK Go.  He is based in New York but spent a summer in LA where he took THE ROOTS and joined The Songwriter's Workshop.

The following appeared in an online interview conducted by the national radio airplay magnet Airspun with Arizona-based artist Brittney Elizabeth:

“I attended a singing camp in California,” remembers Brittney. “Rob Seals, who would be one of my co-writers, was teaching a class on songwriting. Within like 10 minutes, I wrote my first song. All these feelings came rushing over me. It was amazing.”

"Favorite New Discovery: The Songwriting School of Los Angeles. I was lucky enough to attend a songwriting workshop at this up and coming spot in Burbank. Very cool people, great vibe, and doing great things with songwriting. Check it out if you are an LA writer."

- Tim Blane, singer/songwriter, from his blog Lather, Rinse, Repeat

If you own a Mac you might recognize Tim Blane as the guy who gives the guitar and piano lessons in Garageband.  You might recognize his thoughtful, smart, dead-catchy music from a radio near you, most recently from 2011's studio release 'You Can't Go Back'.  Tim visits The Songwriter's Workshop, the advanced weekly writers group, when he is off the road and in LA.  

“The Songwriter’s Workshop has been an essential component in my own personal and creative growth over the last year. Visiting with a core group of focused artists who strive for excellence and bring their A-game to the pursuit of creativity has been revitalizing in a way that makes me measure other endeavors against it. “  

-Syd, songwriter/producer/artist (Jessi Bridges, Hotels & Highways, Mia Dyson, The Co-Op)

Syd has been a frequent guest of The Songwriter's Workshop, lending his knowledge as a writer and producer and participating by workshopping his own songs. Some of the songs on the Hotels & Highways records were workshopped there.

“This is a good time to emphasize what a fabulous experience I've had in the Songwriter’s Workshop. Hands down the best songwriting ‘engine’ I've ever participated in.”

- Robert Miranda, songwriter & guitarist

Robert has been in many bands over the years, playing with the likes of multi-platinum artist Meredith Brooks.  At The Songwriting School Robert took THE ROOTS and is currently a member of The Songwriter’s Workshop.

“[The people at] The Songwriting School of Los Angeles run an incredible facility in Burbank, CA. There are classrooms, a computer lab and a complete, up-to-date recording studio and the people are knowledgeable, passionate and truly dedicated. If you are a young or otherwise budding songwriter, living in the Los Angeles area, looking to develop or hone your writing talents, this is definitely the place to do it.”

- Phil Cody, songwriter

Phil Cody's songs have been recorded by artists as diverse and successful as Sheryl Crow, Clay Aiken, Elvis Presley, and Huey Lewis & The News.  He was a long-time collaborator with Neil Sedaka and a former Brill Building tenant. 

"I have been taking online songwriting lessons with Rob Seals since 2006. Rob has incomparable teaching skills and attitude.

"One of the most sincere teachers I have had in the music industry, Rob Seals has shown me ways to be successful at songwriting while maintaining my integrity as a person, as an artist.

"I can’t say enough good things about Rob Seals, as a person, teacher and musician.

“Simply put, Rob Seals is a wizard in the classroom.

"The difference between what I was able to do by myself and what Rob Seals was able to help me create was staggering.

“However, the most profound learning for me happened in the songwriting class of Rob Seals…

"Rob Seals: The guy is about above and beyond."

"It was pure joy attending class. I got so much from it about the craft of songwriting...but much more than that.