Enhance the power of your words by speaking or singing them aloud. In this journey, we’ll examine a variety of ways to share creative work using our voices and audio techniques with open mic events, podcasts, and songwriting.
Led By
Azia Armstead
Azia Armstead (she/her) is a poet from Richmond, Virginia. She holds an MFA in Poetry from New York University where she received the Goldwater Fellowship. In 2019, Azia was a finalist for the Furious Flower Poetry Prize judged by A. Van Jordan and honorable mention for the Arts Club of Washington’s Scholarship Award for Poetry. Azia was chosen as a finalist for the 2023 Nine Syllables Press Chapbook Contest. Her work has appeared in Boston Review, The Quarry, Obsidian, Rattle and elsewhere. She currently lives in Brooklyn.
Learning Objectives
- Experiment with with various formats of vocal expression, including storytelling, podcasting, and songwriting, to effectively communicate ideas.
- Understand the Art of Storytelling Through Voice: Learn how to effectively convey emotions, ideas, and narratives through vocal inflection, tone, and pacing, whether in music, spoken word, or other creative expressions.
- Participate in Collaborative Creative Experiences: Engage in group activities, such as performances or feedback sessions, to refine and enhance your vocal and audio skills through collaboration and peer interaction.
Apply Now
Applications for the Summer 2025 Cycle are open!
Priority Deadline: April 30, 2025
Final Deadline: May 15, 2025
Cycle(s) Offered:
Summer 2025 (July-September)
Time:
3 hours
Areas of Focus:
Performance, Spoken Word, Songwriting, Poetry, Podcasting
Requirements:
- Active Participation: Attend and actively engage in class activities, including open mic events, group discussions, and feedback sessions.
- Completion of Assignments: Submit required assignments, such as a recorded podcast episode, a written song, or a personal statement, by the specified deadlines.
- Practice and Rehearsal: Dedicate time each week to practicing vocal techniques, preparing for performances, and refining your audio skills outside of class.
Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Journey Package
As a mentee or mentor in the Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Journey, you’ll have access to an online course designed help you discover how to bring your creative work to life by speaking or singing it aloud. You’ll be paired with a mentee or mentor for one full cycle, and you’ll meet with them at least twice each month. Mentees and mentors in the Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month.
Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Course
In the Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word course, you’ll discover how to bring your creative work to life by speaking or singing it aloud. You’ll learn techniques for open mic events, podcasts, and songwriting that will help you amplify your voice and share your stories with confidence.
This course is offered as a part of this journey package. If you’d like to take a course without joining a journey, click here.
Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Mentoring
Mentees and mentors in the Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Journey will be matched for one cycle. Pairs will meet for at least two hour-long sessions each month.
This Journey requires mentees and mentors to commit to two per month. If you’d like to mentor but cannot commit to this requirement, click here.
Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Community Experiences
Mentees and mentors in the Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Journey must attend at least one Community Experience per month. They are expected to attend meetings that are specifically required for Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word. It is strongly recommended that they attend Exploratory Community Studios, College & Career Chats, and Salon Experiences.
This Journey requires attendance at the Community Experiences noted above. If you’d like to attend Community Experiences but cannot commit to these requirements, click here.
Performance 360 Adventure
The Aloud: Songwriting & Spoken Word Journey is a part of the Performance 360 Adventure.
Journeys in the Performance 360 Adventure focus on building public speaking and presenting skills. It is perfect for mentees and mentors who want to build confidence in performing their work and sharing their ideas.
Learn more about the other Adventures offered at Girls Write Now below.
Not ready for a Journey?
If you want to be a part of the Girls Write Now Collaboratory but you aren’t ready to join a Journey, you can participate in individual writing courses, short-term mentoring services, and select community engagement experiences. See all of the options available to you below!
Writing
Take a course without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or attending community experiences.
Mentoring
Meet with a mentee or mentor without joining a journey, accessing writing courses, or attending community experiences.
Community
Attend Community Experiences without joining a journey, being paired with a mentee or mentor, or accessing writing courses.