art

Our Mother. {music video}

{Photo: dawnyaclarine.bandcamp.com}

{Photo: dawnyaclarine.bandcamp.com}

 

I’m Dawnya Clarine, a singer who writes and produces songs that I hope will inspire and make people smile.

I also lead workshops that use songwriting as a way to unearth the creativity in others and encourage them to use that creativity in everything they do.

My work and artistry are defined by my ideals of producing music and experiences that are about enjoying life every day.

I like to write songs that make you feel good. I attempt to take on life’s questions and offer answers with openness and vulnerability, so that you feel as if you’ve had an intimate chat with a close friend.

My first collection of original songs, Walking on Water, was released in September 2008 under my record label, Soul Appeal Records. Never one to follow convention, my songs are an eclectic mix of jazz, blues, soul and reggae — think Jason Mraz meets Norah Jones with a Ruthie Foster kick.

I enjoy writing songs around my personal passions. My song, Our Mother, is a tribute to the planet. It was selected by Earth Day Network to be featured in their 2010 A Billion Acts of Green campaign, and was included on Pete Seeger’s environmental awareness CD in 2011.

Unknown and All Alone is a single written for my autistic son, Dallas, who asked me to create a song that might help others understand him better. The song makes me cry every time I sing it.

 

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To help others enjoy the life-enhancing transformation that comes with songwriting, I created a songwriting workshop, Reengage Your Creativity and Intuition through Songwriting, in 2012. The workshop is a combination of writing exercises, guided meditations, play, fun challenges, and the craft of songwriting.

I never thought of myself as a teacher, so leading the workshop was a giant leap for me. Early in the first workshop, I saw that the key was not for me to learn how to teach, but was about being prepared, and then putting all of my attention and focus on the student’s needs.

I had ambitious goals for the workshop. I wanted participants to drop the inner critic so they could rediscover their playfulness, intuition and creativity. I wanted them to feel safe and supported while they did the deep emotional dive it takes to write their song.

And, I wanted to help them remember their brilliance and greatness.

The feedback from workshop students tells me I’m on my way to reaching my goals.

Kay Furse, a workshop participant, said, “Dawnya created a safe, fun, vibrant space which kept me wanting to come back for more. I never expected to write a song that I’m so proud of.”

I’m in awe of Kay and all the participants — their courage and their songs. They are showing up, doing the work, and writing passionate, true songs.

Their incredible songs and enthusiasm inspires me to stretch more and ultimately to write better songs.

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Dawnya Clarine is a veteran singer who has performed with groups and as a solo artist across the country for nearly 20 years. She has opened for top acts including Tower of Power and The 5th Dimension, has appeared twice on the National Easter Seals Telethon, was headline act at the Heartland BrewFest, and has entertained at multitudes of gigs and fundraisers. In 2008, she completed an album of 13 originals, Walking on Water. A Million Laugh Lines, her most recent single, is under consideration for use with the Newman’s Own Foundation. When Dawnya is not performing or in the studio, she is leading her songwriting workshop, Reengage Your Creativity and Intuition through Songwriting. Dawnya lives, writes, produces, and performs music in Sandpoint, Idaho — the prettiest small town in the U.S.A. She travels widely, leading her songwriting workshop and performing. If you would like the workshop brought to your town, or if you are looking for an original song for your project or organization, get in touch with Dawnya. You can find all of her music at DawnyaClarine.com.

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