Overview
Do you have a melody in your head that you want to share with the world? Do you have ideas for song lyrics but don’t know how to take the next step? Develop creative songwriting techniques and skills to add to your musical toolbox at the Singer-Songwriter Workshop. Begin writing your own songs or learn to arrange and refine your existing works, as you receive valuable performance tips and vocal training/coaching.
Open to songwriters of all experience levels, from songwriting beginners to budding music professionals, this program will guide students in the process of crafting a song from beginning to end. Throughout the course of the week, students will work side-by-side with our program faculty to craft a song that is tailored to their unique musical style and learn how to use songwriting to express their individual musical voice.
Students will learn essential song building blocks such as structure, melody and harmony creation, and explore the art of storytelling through lyrics. They will gain confidence in showcasing their work through mini performances and constructive feedback sessions.
Students will also have the opportunity to visit a state-of-art recording studio, and get valuable instruction on recording their music at home. The week will culminate in an open mic performance for friends and family.
Program Details
Ages: 13–18
Dates: July 13–17, 2026
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuition: $495
Location: George Mason University Fairfax Campus, de Laski Performing Arts Building
Program Faculty
Masha Feygelson
Faculty and Academy Teaching Artist
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Masha Feygelson began her musical studies in Moscow and has extensive experience working with children, both as an instructor in a classroom setting and as a private music teacher. Since joining the MCAA faculty in 2013, Ms. Feygelson has built a flourishing studio of young pianists whose levels range from beginner to advanced.
Ms. Feygelson has performed as a piano soloist and chamber musician both in the United States and abroad. She has received accolades in competitions including the Duquesne National Young Artist Competition in Pittsburgh, the American Fine Arts Festival in New York City, and the Orfeo International Music Festival in Vipiteno, Italy. She has also performed in the ARTS! by George series at GMU and the GMU School of Music Honors Recital.
Ms. Feygelson attended Levine School of Music in Washington D.C., and Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, studying piano with notable teachers Anna Ouspenskaya, Dr. Michael Coonrod, and Ya-Ting Chang. She received her Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Piano Performance from George Mason University, where she studied with Dr. Anna Balakerskaia. Ms. Feygelson also began her foray into vocal study in the George Mason jazz program with Dr. Darden Purcell, and has also studied with operatic soprano Fabiana Bravo and holistic vocal coach Tiffaney Moore Borgelin.
In addition to teaching and performing, Ms. Feygelson also works as an accompanist, church pianist, and vocalist in the D.C. metropolitan area.
Cristian Perez
Instructor and Producer of Mason Music Productions
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Cristian Perez is an Argentine-American guitarist/composer/arranger currently based in Northern Virginia. He graduated from Mason with a BM in Classical guitar (’10) and a MM in Jazz Studies (’12). Cristian has performed internationally (Bulgaria, Canada, South Korea, Bolivia, China, Dominican Republic) and continues to be very active in the local music scene. His debut album “Anima Mundi” has received numerous reviews throughout the world and reached #13 in the CMJ World Music charts in the USA. Cristian is a former Artist in Residence at Strathmore (’15). He won 2 Wammie Awards (2022) with the band Project Locrea. He has been featured on Vintage Guitar Magazine. Cristian is currently a Kremona Guitars Artist as well as an MCO Guitars Artist.
Cristian has studied with Berta Rojas, Larry Snitzler, Rick Whitehead, Ken Hall, Mike Stern, and dozens of musicians from whom he has taken lessons from (Roland Dyens, Pepe Romero, Gilad Hekselman, Nelson Veras, Steve Herberman, and many others). He loves classical music, jazz, folk music from around the world, and pop/soul music. He is constantly trying to add to his musical palette both as a sideman and bandleader.
Cristian is currently very active performing as a freelancer and collaborating with multiple musicians of different backgrounds. He co-leads world music fusion group Project Locrea, and leads a South American Jazz quintet (CP5), a Jazz Fusion quartet (CP4), and a chamber ensemble (CPCE). Cristian arranges and composes music for different instrumentations.
Cristian is an adjunct professor at NOVA Community College (Alexandria, VA), and is available to offer workshops/masterclasses/clinics.
Notes
- Please note that group classes are subject to cancellation if minimum enrollment is not reached.
- Be sure to check our policies and procedures regarding registration, withdrawals, refunds, and more for summer group classes.
- All students will receive a Welcome Letter via email at least one week before the class starts with all necessary details.
- Tuition can be paid in full or split into a two-payment installment plan for a one-time $10 fee. Half of the total tuition is due at the time of registration with the remaining balance automatically charged on May 1. Registrations processed after May 1 require full tuition payment upfront. All registrations are subject to a $3.00 processing fee per receipt.
- Limited scholarship funds are available for families in need of financial assistance. To apply, please visit: https://masonacademy.gmu.edu/about-us/financial-aid/. For families in need of extended payment plan installment options, please contact the Academy at [email protected].
- For additional information, please contact the Academy at [email protected].
- For-credit programs only: A tuition refund minus a $125 cancelation fee will be given provided that notice is received by the Mason Community Arts Academy no later than one week before the program start date. No refunds will be granted after this date.