Teaching Songwriting, Improvisation & Creativity in the Classroom
Date
September 14-December 4, 2026
Online
Weekly zoom meetings on Tuesdays 5-6PM CST.
Course Number
8046C
Credits
3
Tuition
$1,224
Course Description
Teachers will learn how to incorporate songwriting and composition into their teaching through the use of a production technology of their choice in order to revolutionize lesson planning, boost student morale, heighten classroom creativity, improve classroom management, and develop student’s social, emotional, and musical “voice” while creating a truly student-centered classroom. Course participants will observe, develop, discuss, and demonstrate best practices for implementing production and songwriting in various genres at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Participants will discuss and demonstrate the importance of songwriting and creativity in modern and traditional music education systems, and will consider how to incorporate practical and innovative methods into their personal practices. This course is designed to help teachers observe, plan, and initiate new methods and approaches towards music learning that are culturally responsive, innovative, and student-centered.
Instructor
Marc Evan Diaz is an educator, artist, and producer specializing in a wide range of genres from gospel, hiphop, r&b, pop, and international children’s music. Marc has worked in every level of music education from early childhood to undergraduate, and graduate studies, most notably as a professor and clinician specializing in ethnomusicology and progressive music education. He has presented work at the National Association for Music Education Eastern Conference and the Berklee Music Education Symposium, and has worked at colleges such as Northeastern University, Goldey-Beacom College, Vandercook College, and the RocNation School of Music. Marc has produced over 25 albums and hundreds of songs through his company, SoulSong Productions, including his acclaimed international children’s music series in collaboration with Fiddlefox. He has worked with multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy award winners, and he has performed at notable venues such as Carnegie Hall, Joe’s Pub, and PowerStation Studios. Marc holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from Berklee College of Music (Class of 2011) and Berklee NYC (Class of 2022) with degrees in Music Education, Performance, Songwriting and Production. Originally hailing from Houston, Texas, Marc currently lives in Brooklyn with his wife and their 2 kids, who are also growing into wonderful musicians.