The original version of this article contained an error and has been changed. See the bottom of the article for additional information.
On Mar. 31, several of the most highly regarded songwriters in the United States will begin taking the stage at UCLA’s Jan Popper Theater. Hosted by music industry professor and award-winning filmmaker David Leaf, the spring quarter course “Songwriters on Songwriting” is now in its third year.
Also offered as a for-credit online summer course, “Songwriters on Songwriting” will feature interviews and performances by distinguished industry professionals such as Grammy Award-winningarranger Paul Buckmaster, known for his collaborations with Elton John, David Bowie and Miles Davis. Also confirmed for thespring quarter class is Grammy Award-winning songwriter BillySteinberg, noted for his work with female vocalists Madonna and Whitney Houston, and Jerry Fuller, whose credits include chart-topping and award-winning records as a writer and producer.
The spring quarter lineup also includes younger contemporary composers such as Mike Posner, a singer-songwriter noted for his work with Justin Bieber, Pharrell Williams and Snoop Dogg,and Evan Taubenfeld, known for his work as Avril Lavigne’s lead guitarist, music director and creative collaborator.
While interest in the class has been high and enrollment for the spring course is currently closed, enrollment for the summer online session is unlimited.
“This class is great for anyone interested in a career in the music industry,”said Demi Kirolos, third-year psychology student and co-producer in charge of audio and visual material for the class. “It really is motivating as well as entertaining.”
Among the platinum-selling songwriters featured in Leaf’s past classes are multiple Grammy Award and Oscar Award winners Burt Bacharach (“Walk On By”), Songwriters Hall of Fame Chairman Jimmy Webb (“Wichita Lineman”), Motown’s Lamont Dozier (“Baby Love”), Mike Stoller (“Hound Dog”), Cynthia Weil (“On Broadway”), Mac Davis (“Memories”) and Barry Mann (“We Gotta Get Out of This Place”).
“This is not a class about how to write a song, though,” Leaf said.”I try to use each week’s guests to teach essential lessons – what it takes to succeed, whether as a songwriter, in the music industry, in the arts or in your chosen career.”
Leaf said he emphasizes “The Four D’s”: devotion to music, developing talent, dedication to craft and determination to “make it,” no matter how much rejection one is faced with. He said a fifth “D,” destiny, is less subject to personal control, but is the intersection of preparation and opportunity.
“While these Four D’s are certainly essential to success in music or the arts in general, they also are central to success in life, whatever your chosen endeavor,”Leaf said.
Among the notable industry executives providing insights into the business side of the music business will be Jody Gerson, co-president of Sony/ATV, one of the largest music publishing companies in the world, and Jon Platt, creative president of Warner/Chapell Music, who has worked with the likes of Kayne West and Usher as a publisher and producer at EMI Music Publishing.
“(Leaf) has a wonderful way of bringing out the best in songwriters and getting them to share their stories about life in music,” said Loretta Munoz, assistant vice president of Pop/Rock Creative and Special Projects of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, who secured the participation of Bacharach and Dan Wilson, among others, for Leaf’s past courses.
In order to share these professional experiences and insights with students online, the UCLA Office of Instructional Development helps decide which courses would be valuable to students online.
“There are many different reasons that we may think a course would be valuable online,” said Joanne Valli-Meredith, OID’s director of evaluation and educational assessment. “In Leaf’s case, it was clear that it was a unique experience, that he had already captured on video, that would benefit so many students both within and outside of UCLA.”
Leaf said the idea is to present his class like a television series. Through the engagement of songwriters in conversation and performances for his students, Leaf’s guests reveal what it means to spend a life in music.
“It is one of my missions at UCLA to help students bridge the space between the academic world and the outside world,” Leaf said. “That is why I’m so excited to do these classes – it’s really a privilege.”
Correction: The course “Songwriters on Songwriting” is now in its third year.