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The Johnny Mercer Foundation The Johnny Mercer Songwriters Project returns to Northwestern University for its fourth year! We are currently seeking talented songwriters or writing teams, ages 18-30, from all popular music genres to participate. Located on Northwestern University’s Evanston campus, this week-long songwriting intensive will feature award-winning composers and singers in collaboration with talented young writers. Led by our 2009 Master Teachers CRAIG CARNELIA (Tony Award-nominated composer and lyricist of Sweet Smell of Success), LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA (Tony Award-winning creator of In The Heights) and LARI WHITE (three-time Grammy Award-winning songwriter), the intensive will include: MASTER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS The week will culminate in a spectacular star-studded Johnny Mercer tribute concert featuring special guest stars, our master teachers, and student songwriters. The legendary Johnny Mercer, master of the American Song and composer of the classics "Come Rain or Come Shine", "Accentuate the Positive" and "Moon River", was dedicated throughout his career to the development of young songwriters and singers. Last year’s program featured emerging songwriters from all over the country representing the worlds of pop, music theatre, hip-hop, folk, Latin and country. Writers must be between the ages of 18–30. For writing teams, at least one member must meet this criterion. Through the generosity of the Johnny Mercer Foundation, there is no fee for this workshop for the writers and writing teams selected, and a stipend will be offered to cover a portion of travel and boarding expenses.
Download an application (PDF). 2009 Master Teachers Include
As a recording artist, White has earned three Grammys for best Southern Gospel and a Gold Album. She recently made music history as the first female producer of a male superstar by producing Toby Keith’s platinum album, White Trash with Money. Her last studio album, the R&B-flavored Green Eyed Soul, was hailed by the London Times as “…the best soul album this year.” Her film credits include Cast Away with Tom Hanks and the Lifetime Television Movie, No Regrets, with Kate Jackson and Janine Turner. |
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Craig Carnelia is known primarily for his work as a songwriter in the theatre, having had four shows produced on Broadway. Working with composer Marvin Hamlisch, he wrote the lyrics for Sweet Smell of Success, with book by John Guare, and Imaginary Friends with Nora Ephron. Hamlisch and Carnelia received Drama Desk and Tony Award nominations for their score for Sweet Smell of Success, and Carnelia received a Drama Desk nomination for his lyrics in Imaginary Friends. 
n-Manuel Miranda is the star-composer-lyricist
Lari White made her critically-acclaimed Broadway debut in the spring of 2006 in Ring of Fire, setting off a chain reaction of appearances that shows no sign of stopping. She received rave reviews for her performance in the Marilyn and Alan Bergman Tribute with Michael Feinstein at Carnegie Hall and returned to perform for the Bergmans in their Lincoln Center tribute in February. Broadway By The Year® audiences have enjoyed her in the Jerome Kern Tribute and Broadway Originals, as well as TheBroadway Musicals of 1928 and TheBroadway Musicals of 1978. She recently debuted with a week-long run at the Algonquin Oak Room, Manhattan’s legendary supper club that has served as a launching pad for talented musicians, including Harry Connick, Jr., Michael Feinstein, Diana Krall, Peter Cincotti and others. 