(Re)Finding Your Songwriting Voice
Facilitated by Morgan Johnston

Whether discovering the (not to be dramatic, but…) miracle that is writing songs for the first time or haven’t felt the spark to write anything new for years, this section offers the space to find and/or re-find your songwriting voice. And yes, the word “voice” is both literal and metaphorical in this case! Through listening, workshopping, writing time, discussion, improv, and prompts, songwriters (yes, you can call yourself that!) will work towards creating songs in which the music and lyrics work together to serve the intention of each song and the musician overall. Side effects of being a part of this supportive, accountable, playful, healing, and even silly (!!) community may include…

• Building the confidence to perform your songs at an open mic for the first time
• Uncovering the theme of your next long-awaited album where you return home to yourself and yet somehow also develop an entirely new musical style
• And/or having a damn good time making friends with other folks who are just as obsessed with songwriting as YOU are!

Performing and Expanding the Vision of Your Songs
Facilitated by Jessica Kion

Our job as songwriters rarely ends when we finish a song. A whole world of possibilities unfolds as we arrange, perform, record and even make videos and visual art for our music! This section of the BAI Songwriting Workshop is designed for the participant who has written songs and is interested in what comes next. We’ll explore home recording, stage presence, navigating band dynamics, recording music in a studio, booking shows, releasing music, and ways to engage with social media that feel authentic to you.

Participants can expect to:

• Continue developing their songwriting craft
• Feel prepared to perform in a live show
• Create visuals with your music that deepen your artistic expression
• Even make a friend or two along the way!

Morgan Johnston

Hailing from Providence, Rhode Island, Morgan Johnston (stage name, Morgan Lane!) is an indie folk singer-songwriter stomping, strumming, speaking, and singing her way to empowering both herself and her listeners. Her lyrics are inspired by the natural landscape of places as much as by the emotional landscape of human experiences. While most often found singing with her guitar, Morgan is known to experiment with different stringed instruments and tunings as well as vocal arrangements on loop pedal. As a music therapist, she is constantly reminded of the healing power of the music she aims to share, which just so happens to be whimsical and wistful in nature!

Jess Kion

Jessica Kion writes unflinching songs about grief, community, and the things that keep you up at 3AM. Writing songs for her band, Justice Cow has been the main catalyst for growth and healing in her life.  During the pandemic, she held weekly songwriting workshops on Zoom to encourage her friends to write and record music and weather the storm of lockdown. The lessons she learned from these workshops, her songwriting degree from Berklee College of Music, and years of writing and international touring in bands have led her to develop a highly effective approach as a songwriting teacher. She’s a frequent collaborator within the Providence scene playing in the bands Nova One, Ben Levin, Morgan Lane, and of course, Justice Cow! While collaborating online with Adam Neely, Aimee Nolte, and Apartment Sessions. Jess has taught clinics at Berklee College of Music, collaborated with Boston Conservatory’s Percussion Department, teaches a regular songwriting workshop at Little Nice Studio in Lincoln, RI, and has spent three years at New Urban Arts as the Resident Artist Mentor of Music working with high schoolers. Justice Cow was nominated for “Artist of the Year” for the 2026 Motif awards and plans to release her eighth studio album this year.