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Songwriting at Carpe Diem Arts Camp 2019

August 30, 2019 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

In my songwriting workshops at Carpe Diem Arts Camp this year, we focused on what it means to seize the day and wrote a collaborative song. Below is the recording we made after our two work sessions. As a songwriting teacher, I believe it’s important to talk about how to sing the song once it is written; so, after finishing the song, we debated vocal dynamics and instrumentation (how to play our ukes and when not to use them). Notice how the uke starts with plucking but switches to a strum on the chorus and then drops out on the bridge. Also notice how the girls grow progressively louder at the end.

National Book Festival

August 30, 2019 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

I’ll appear in the Washington Post Booth (S4) at 1:00 pm on Saturday, August 31st.

Read all about it in the KidsPost article.

STEM plus Songwriting equals STEAM SONGS

July 22, 2019 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Octopus by Goodloe Byron

What is a STE(A)M Song?

Imagine the love song of an invertebrate…or a glacier…or a drone.

In my new STE(A)M Song series, I’m using STEM-related concepts as metaphors for songs about love and life. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math and when you add (A)rt, such as songwriting to STEM, you get STE(A)M.

Listen to some of my STE(A)M songs.
Download the lyrics/info sheet that explains the science metaphor behind each song.
Find out about my songwriting workshops.

STE(A)M Songs

Quantum Physics

A love song using the metaphors of the uncertainty principle and the observer effect in physics.
To learn more about the science behind the song: Lyrics & info

Geology

A geology love song…in other words a rock song. Why should love songs be about hearts and flowers? A big old ordinary rock can be a symbol for love. Cover Photo by Stew Hickman.
To learn more about the science behind the song:Lyrics & info

Astronomy

A love song of an astronomer who is searching for life in the universe.
To learn more about the science behind the song: Lyrics & info.

The love song from the sun to us.
To learn more about the science behind the song: Lyrics & info

Marine Biology

A blues song written about an invertebrate (think Octopus). Cover art by Goodloe Byron.
To learn more about the science behind the song: Lyrics & info

A love song of the coral to its symbiotic partner, the algae.
To learn more about the science behind the song: Lyrics & info

Climate Change

The warning song of a glacier to us.
To learn more about the science behind the song: Lyrics & info.

Chemistry

A love song with imagery from the chem lab.
To learn more about the science behind the song:Lyrics & info

Engineering/Technology

The song of an unmanned aerial vehicle addressing its engineer. Cover art: Kathryn Brimblecombe-Fox Sky-Drone-Net (cropped) gouache on paper 30 x 42 cm 2016
To learn more about the science behind the song: Lyrics & info

More Info

I do songwriting residencies in schools.
See song samples and curriculum notes from a first-grade STEM Song residency.
See song samples and curriculum notes from a fifth-grade STEM song residency.
More songs to come soon. I’ll also be posting songs that are created by students in my songwriting workshops.

New Jersey School Visits

March 14, 2019 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Big thanks to Christine Kelly at Sussex Avenue Elementary School in Morristown, Mary DeNunzio at South End Elementary School in Cedar Grove, and Linda Leddy at North End Elementary School in Cedar Grove for hosting me. I had fun sharing my childhood diaries and all my tips for writing stories and songs. Students and staff at all three schools were engaged and eager to read, write, and sing.

Thanks also to The Bookworm at Bernardsville and Watchung Booksellers for handling book sales.

Songwriting Workshop at Stedwick Elementary School

March 6, 2019 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

How spirit-lifting it was to walk into Mary Ruth McGinn’s classroom at Stedwick Elementary School and see a circle of third graders with their ukuleles, ready to write songs.

Before my arrival, the teacher and I had already begun to give the students the experience of critique and revision—an essential part of the songwriting process. About a week before the workshop, McGinn emailed me a draft of a collaborative song, I wrote comments, made suggested edits, and emailed it back. She shared that with the students and together they re-wrote one of the verses and talked through why I had made the suggestions I had made.

During the workshop, we set those lyrics to music and practiced it. After that, we wrote an entire new song together. The focus for this workshop was on a trio of elements that are often employed in songwriting: rhythm, repetition, and rhyme. As we wrote, we tested each lyric line to a beat to make sure the rhythm of the words sounded right. Sometimes, we had to make a change, such as substituting a one syllable word for a longer word if the line sounded awkward.

When it was time to write our new song, I taught how I often start by writing down a lot of possible ideas, rather than just one idea for each line. For example, in the first four-line verse, when it came time to write the last line, I asked them for lots of ideas. I wrote them all down so we could pick the one we liked best.

If I built a wall,
I’d build three more
It would be a small house
With a door
(or one of these instead)
With four doors
With sixteen doors
With a floor
With a floor and a door

We ended up liking the humor and the symbolism of sixteen doors.

Next, we worked on the idea of establishing and repeating a pattern. In this case, the pattern for each verse was four lines with the second and fourth line repeating. We also worked on the idea that the chorus of a song can be simple and make use of repetition.
Here’s the whole song:

If I built a wall,
I’d build three more
It would be a small house
With sixteen doors

If I built a window
I’d look outside
I’d say, “Hello World”
To the bright blue sky.

CHORUS:
So many people can come inside.
So many people can come inside.
Come inside!

If I built a roof
I’d make it warm
It would keep us safe
From the big dark storm.

If I built a floor
I’d use it for my band.
Everybody come
And jump and dance.

CHORUS:
So many people can come inside.
So many people can come inside.
Come inside!
Come inside!

Thanks to Carpe Diem Arts, Inc., the non-profit arts organization that organized and funded the experience, to Busy Graham, CDA’s founder, Ms. McGinn, and all her students.

Rock Creek Valley Writing Residency

February 13, 2019 by Mary Amato 2 Comments

Thanks to the PTA, especially Rachel Schiffenbauer, the fourth-grade teachers, staff, and students for another fun and productive writing residency at Rock Creek Valley Elementary School. We focused on creating character. Each student chose an animal and, through a writing exercise, developed that character’s personality and motivation. We wrote monologues and also worked on how to bring emotion and drama into our reading/performance voices. The students worked to bring voice into their monologues by choosing interesting and specific words and phrases that would fit their characters’ personalities. Here is a sample from each of the three fourth grade classrooms.

Winning the Maryland Author Award

January 15, 2019 by Mary Amato 8 Comments

Dear Members of the Maryland Library Association,

I’m so thrilled to be the recipient of the MLA’s William G. Wilson Maryland Author Award for 2019. I’m already working on the talk I’ll be giving at this year’s conference in Cambridge, MD, and I look forward to connecting with you all there. I’ve been a fan of libraries ever since I got my first card, and librarians have had a huge impact on my life as a reader and writer. I couldn’t be more honored.

My thanks to the MLA, to William G. Wilson, to all the librarians who were involved in the decision process, and to everyone who helped to fund the award’s endowment.

Literarily yours,

Mary Amato

About the Award
The Maryland Library Association established the Maryland Author Award in 1996 to honor Maryland authors. Each year a committee of MLA members grants the award in one of four rotating genres: adult fiction, youth literature, poetry and non-fiction. In recognition of the commitment and efforts of William G. Wilson, a librarian and 1995/96 President of MLA who was instrumental in starting the award and has worked tirelessly to promote its endowment, the award is now named in his honor.

Free Skype-an-Author with Mary Amato

January 6, 2019 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

April 25, 2019

Every year, I offer on free Skype day for teachers and students. During the year, I take reservations for time slots for free 15-minute Q-and A on a first-come, first-served basis.

To schedule your free Q&A session, please email me info (at) maryamato (dot) com from your school/library email address with all of the following info listed in one message:

Preferred time (listing your time zone, please)
Your name and your skype name.
Name of school, snail mail address, and phone number of school or library
Grade level(s), size of audience, and book(s) on which you’d like the Q/A to focus.

If your session is approved, you will receive guidelines via email and your school name will be added to this schedule.

Looking for a longer Skype workshop? See more info.

Rave Reviews

“The skype visit with Mary Amato was great and inspiring!” –Mary Litwinczuk, Weaver Lake Elementary, MN
“We had a very successful Skype experience with Mary Amato. We did the two-part character creation workshop. We would like to schedule for the same time next February!” –Hope Preston, Gill St. Bernard’s School, NJ
“This afternoon was incredible! All 70 sixth graders were riveted to the screen while you were talking. I can’t thank you enough for all the wonderful things you shared with us about your writing process. What a truly inspiring discussion. One really neat coincidence was that I had just shared my writing notebook earlier in the morning and then you shared yours. The connections were flying like wild fire…You have made a wonderful lasting memory for so many students today.” –Franklin, WI 6th grade teacher
“My students loved her and I loved the way she subtly got across the message of ‘grit.’ She told students how important it is to revise written work… and how mistakes can be a fabulous opportunity for learning.” Patricia London, Media Specialist Avon Middle-High School, MA

From Students:

“I don’t like writing, but when Mary said that she did not like writing as a kid and now she is a author it encouraged me to want to learn how to write now. She let me know that I could be a great author some day.” – R.J.
“The thing that really was a life lesson and really inspiring was the quote she said – ‘The only way you fail is by not trying.’ – Laykin
“The Skype with Mary Amato taught me that if you jot something down you are more likely to remember it.” – Ava
“It was a great experience to meet Mary Amato, and talk to her about her writing process! Skyping is a very fun activity. I would love to do it again. It is fun to see different ways authors, like Mary Amato, create amazing books. So all in all I loved Skyping with Mary Amato.” – Bailey

Introducing Lucy McGee

September 10, 2018 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

The Lucy McGee Book Series is a collection of books (best for ages 7-10) that feature a girl named Lucy and her friends and family. Lucy is a budding young songwriter and a ukulele player. Each book contains 3-4 songs along with lots of fun extras, such as mp3s, lyric/chord booklets, instructional videos, and more here.

Four books are planned for the Lucy series. The first is out; the second book will be available June 4, 2019. You can find order the books at your favorite local independent bookstore, or on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

Workshops, Classes, and Events

July 5, 2018 by Mary Amato Leave a Comment

Learn with me

For more info about any of these events, please email info (at) maryamato (dot) com.

Mary Amato’s Singing and Songwriting with/for Baby

Three Wednesday nights 6:15-7:15 pm September 5, 12, 19 at College Park Arts Exchange in College Park, MD. Note: This class will be offered again at the same time on November 28, Dec 5, Dec 12.

Explore the power and poignancy of your own voice in this special class for new parents and parents-to-be. We’ll learn chants and lullabies–some designed to soothe baby, others designed to soothe you! We’ll also learn songwriting techniques and each create our own signature songs. No musical experience necessary. For expecting and/or new moms and/or dads. You may bring the baby, but no older siblings or walking toddlers, please.

Mary Amato’s Songwriting Breakthrough

Three Wednesday nights 7:30-8:45 pm September 5, 12, 19 at College Park Arts Exchange in College Park, MD. Note: This class will be offered again at the same time on November 28, Dec 5, Dec 12.

Have you always wanted to write a song but have never given yourself permission? Or are you an experienced songwriter stuck with a stubborn case of writer’s block? Or are you a well-seasoned songwriter who wants a challenge? During this class, we will work with highly specific prompts to write one or more songs (either lyrics only or lyrics with music)–not from our own life experiences, but rather by adopting another point of view. Class will be tailored to meet the needs of participants with and without musical experience. Adults and teens welcome.

Creative Writing Skype Classes

Each three-session seminar will include focus on a different theme, such as character, dialogue, conflict, etc. Each session will include discussion, facilitated real-time writing, tips, strategies, and feedback. All of the seminar themes can be applied to the work of novelists, poets, essayists, playwrights, and songwriters. Since Skype sessions are one-on-one, any skill level from professional to beginner is welcome. Email info (at) maryamato (dot) com.

Songwriting Skype Classes

Each three-session seminar will include focus on a different type of song structure. No musical experience necessary and you don’t have to be able to play an instrument. Since Skype sessions are one-on-one, any skill level from professional to beginner is welcome. Email info (at) maryamato (dot) com.

One-time Workshops and Events

Page to Stage Workshop and Performance with College Park Arts Exchange

Join leaders Mary Amato and John Feffer and fellow writers and theater-lovers for a day-long mini playwriting workshops. During the day we’ll write short scenes exploring character, voice, and conflict. In the evening, we’ll perform the work we create in front of a live audience. This event is for writers, poets, storytellers, songwriters, comedians, and actors who want to learn more about the process of creating and giving voice to characters and who want an opportunity to hear/see work come alive in front of an audience. More info to come.

Uke-making Camp with Gadgetlab

Make your own cool (and quality) ukulele and learn how to play it. Gadgetlab’s Karen Giacopuzzi and Mary Amato team up to teach this camp. This camp is full.

Songwriting 101 Workshop with Carpe Diem Arts

Learn songwriting techniques in this 2-hour workshop taught by Mary Amato. No musical experience necessary and you don’t have to play an instrument. This class has passed.

Student Open Mic

This is your chance to sing your song, read your poem, or perform stand-up in front of a warm, friendly crowd. Potluck. Please bring a dish and whatever you’d like to drink. This will be an outdoor stage. No rain date. No payment required, but you must register to attend. This event has passed.

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