About Us
At Songcraft Academy, we empower youth to express themselves through music, providing a safe and non-judgmental space to explore their creativity.
Our mission is to allow space for emotional exploration and build confidence through the prolific creation of original songs, helping students of all skill levels turn their ideas into music.
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We teach students ages 10-18 how to make original songs using accessible tools like loops, offering a unique alternative to traditional music theory and instrumental lessons. Our judgment-free environment encourages creative exploration, allowing students to experiment with new sounds and ideas without fear of failure. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a seasoned musician, Songcraft Academy is a place where you can find your voice, hone your skills, and experience the joy of bringing your musical vision to life.
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The team at Songcraft Academy have each had profound experiences with music. Many of us have had teachers or mentors who showed us techniques and patience, allowing us to develop the skills to be prolific project finishers. To be able to share their teachings with new students is a way to honour them and also, selfishly, to experience that immense feeling of giving someone a new power and watching a smile creep onto their face.
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The healing power of music cannot be overstated. I've seen kids at music camps drag themselves out of dark emotional spaces through creating and collaborating. Music fosters connection, sometimes with others, often times with Self, and cultivating a space where students can explore these connections and reap the benefits that come from them, is a privilege the instructors feel deeply.
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We at SCA have a deep love for music and our work in making the creation of music accessible is our love made visible.
The Team
Powys Harrison-Jones
Founder
Music has been an integral part of my life since my brain started recording. My parents didn't let us watch TV on the weekdays growing up so music was integral for our entertainment. The early days of fiddling around with GarageBand yielded great fruit, not only on the technical side - learning how to use music software - but also the social side; I learned about my values as an artist.
GarageBand comes packed with loads of loops, small pieces of music anyone can assemble to create a full song, and my brothers and I frowned upon using them, it was too easy. We saw it as cheating. That was until, we heard one of our favourite violin loops make it into a popular song - this moment gave us permission to use loops, and we were off to the races.
Over the years I had many musical mentors. I was putting the work in, spending hours on a program called Fruity Loops, and hardly getting anywhere. This was before YouTube tutorials, and certainly before I had the patience to watch them.
Thankfully, I learned to collaborate with my friends; their added insights helped me finish songs. Their workflows, strategies and mix of playing software instruments and real ones, while incorporating loops, still influence my production style to this day. Without my mentors, I would likely still be getting frustrated at Fruity Loops.
I began finishing my songs and performing them. I got out of my own way and had unprecedented access to mentorship and opportunities in the music world. Suddenly, I'm on tours, playing for thousands of students and adults, sharing all the lessons I've accrued from years of having music help me be my authentic self.
After performing for thousands, coaching soccer for years, and being part of camps that have helped teenagers work through their issues using music, founding Songcraft Academy was the perfect way to best utilize my skills and serve my community.
Sharing knowledge with others has been the greatest joy of my life. I am thrilled to share my insights with those interested.
Testimonials
I recently had the privilege of welcoming Powys from Songcraft Academy into my band class to introduce my students to an aspect of modern music we don’t typically cover—digital music production. Given that some of my former students have even earned income from producing beats, I knew this was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. While many students may not continue playing traditional instruments after this year, learning a transferable music skill, like digital production, allows them to explore and engage with the genres they already love.
Powys was phenomenal in every sense. His warm, approachable demeanor instantly resonated with my students, and he effortlessly connected with them on a personal level. His passion for Hip-Hop, songwriting, and music production shone through every minute of his presentation. Despite the limited time, Powys packed in a variety of engaging activities, from guiding the students through object writing exercises to facilitating the collaborative creation of an original song—all in a matter of minutes!
The next day, my students couldn’t stop talking about the experience. Some of their feedback included:
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“Powys was so knowledgeable! When I went home, I immediately jumped on bandlab.com and started producing my own music. I didn’t realize how accessible it was!”
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“Powys had so much rizz! He was so easy to connect with and brought such a great vibe to the class.”
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“It was so much fun! I wish we had more time and individual tech so we could create our own songs alongside him.”
Powys not only shared his expertise, but he also left a lasting impression on many students. His ability to blend professionalism with authenticity made the session both inspiring and relatable. While we only scratched the surface of what digital music production has to offer, he provided the spark that I know will encourage some students to dive deeper on their own.
I would absolutely invite Powys back, and next time, I’ll ensure we have more technology available so students can engage even further. If you're looking to connect with your students through the music they listen to, I highly recommend Songcraft Academy. Thank you, Powys and Songcraft Academy, for an outstanding session!
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Our Grade 6s and 7s were totally engaged start to finish with Powys’ song crafting workshop. He brings an unmatched energy and a positive message to our most impressionable youth. He provided a safe space to bring some of our quieter students out of their shells, while at the same time, giving our extroverted students a creative platform to channel their energy and express themselves in a new way. I highly recommend Powys’ workshops to all teachers and parents who are looking to provide a fresh new experience and opportunity for creativity to their kids. Thanks Powys!
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