Monterey
Song School
You are the music
George woods is
the founder and primary instructor at the Monterey Song School. He has been a Professor of Songwriting at the world renowned Berklee College of Music in Boston Massachusetts since 2018, and a touring performing musical artist since 2007.
During his time at Berklee, George has become a sought after instructor, because of his personalized approach to each student, and his persistent sense of humor. He’s also helped to steer the colleges curriculum through introducing innovative courses and creating whole new paths of study from the ground up.
George’s teaching philosophy is grounded in a very simple, yet profound foundational principle. You are the thing that makes your music valuable to the world. Your perspective, your voice, the life you have lived. These are the things you will learn how to harness, and honor when you advance your craft with the Monterey Song School.
Current Offerings
Office Hours
One on One instruction with George Woods in a variety of topics and styles:
Guitar Technique
Bass Technique
Songwriting
Vocal Production
Artist Branding
Tour Planning
Demo Production
and more!
Songcrafting Classes
Songcrafting is a 10 week songwriting fundamentals course offered in person or online.
You will learn:
Methods for generating musical and lyrical ideas.
How to create compelling song forms.
How to analyze and create various musical structures.
and you’ll receive feedback from your instructor and classmates.
Zero to EP Program
This is a 6 month intensive program designed to take you from “I don’t write my own music.” to “Check out my new EP on Spotify!”
George will take you through the entire process of idea generation, to refining songs, to demoing, production, mixing, mastering, branding, and releasing your own original material to the world.
Don’t be satisfied with singing other peoples art. Make your own.
Testimonials
“George Woods is the best music teacher I’ve ever had.
His vast knowledge of theory and composition expands my harmonic tools and his mentorship helped me develop my own unique, creative voice. Expertise in theory, lyric writing, and arrangement are just some of many valuable skills that George has built for himself and he gives that knowledge to his students generously and with a passion that is infectious. He pushes me to be my best.”
- Mark Macdonald (Hollow River)
“George was a game changer for me
and how I approached songwriting from both a lyrical as well as a melodic standpoint. He has a unique ability to guide me within the framework of my own music, equally facile with assisting in overall structure or fine tuning the details. “- Scot Woodin
“George sees life through the lens of music
and teaches his students to do the same. Whether that’s tapping out the rhythm of a stranger’s conversation or harmonizing with a passing car horn, his musical view of life teaches his students to view the world as pieces of a potential song.”- Kate Kibby
“George has a special way of making everyone feel seen and comfortable.
His classes are fun while still implementing extremely helpful techniques. He’s validating, inspiring and makes everyone feel like he’s their biggest fan. He just wants you to be the best songwriter you can be, and he will get you there!”Abby Davis (Abbdav)
“No matter what kind of a mood I was in, I always left George’s class with a smile”- (Dom De Paz)
“George seems to never run out of ideas”George has an innate ability to understand exactly how each of his students think and learn, and he manages to craft his lessons in a way that caters to each of his students’ needs, all while teaching from a place of compassion, patience, and a deep love for music and creativity, And you’ll never be bored!
Blake Teegartin
