My Personal Mission as a Musician and Songwriter

"For many years, I have been guided in my work as a songwriter advocate and community arts activist by the belief that music is the most powerful tool available to build community across individual differences and provide expression for people's unique personal experiences. Good songs lead to emotional movement in the writer and listener. They don't stop where the song ends, but give meaning to others, and often join people together across individual differences. From retreats at Woodsong and Seasong that I began in 2000, to spearheading songwriting activities in the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2006 - 2014, to my current non-profit organization, I have enjoyed the challenge of finding ways to to empower people to write songs and find ways to use music to join people together.

Most recently, I founded the 501c-3 nonprofit, ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance, the mission of which is to create intimate listening venues for songwriters, create musical projects that build community, and create educational programs  in high risk populations such as foster kids and seniors.  

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As songwriters, our most important tool is not rhyme or meter, but empathy - with oneself and others. This is the same tool that allows us to come together and build community across lines of individual differences." --Louisa Branscomb

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Some Accomplishments of ScreenDoor Songwriter Alliance, Inc:

 

• To date, we have assisted 75 children with hands on skills in songwriting to express their feelings and stories. These range from high school students to children in foster care with PTSD.

• The mission of our non-profit doesn’t just talk the talk. We have created events and programs that bridge individual differences and bring people of diverse backgrounds and musical interests together. Many friends have been made and relationships forged in our community. We have had over 200 volunteers for the festival during the last few years – with each person contributing their unique gifts.

• We help songwriters. Songwriters are the foundation of music. Yet they are usually in the shadows, and current laws do not favor songwriters making a living through royalties. We give songwriters beautiful intimate places to play, support, and our attention to their works of art. We are steadily building a songwriter community of a different kind.

• To date we have featured over 150 performing songwriters, many from the North Carolina area as well as national talent to the doorstep of Southport Songwriter Festival (S2F) and promoted various venues and businesses to more than 250k via FB posts, music promotional outlets, and those who are coming to play.

• At your request, S2F is open to the public this year; therefore we are entirely dependent on (tax deductible) donations.  PayPal is available online.