THE Song Catcher & the Muse
A two-day Online Song Summit with Rising Appalachia
Join us January 3rd & 4th, 2026 for a two-day online songwriting and music summit hosted by Leah and Chloe of Rising Appalachia, featuring guest teacher Moira Smiley. Over the course of two days, participants will take part in a five-hour masterclass on Day One, followed by a three-hour intensive on Day Two to dive deeper into the art of songwriting, vocal craft, and lyrical expression in a supportive and creative space.
About the Summit
This summit is designed for all levels, from seasoned songwriters to those just beginning to explore the art of music. Across two days of interactive sessions, live instruction, and collaborative opportunities, participants will gain tools for songwriting, lyricism, and creative techniques, along with vocal practice and artistic expression.
What’s Included
Full event recordings and access to an online portal with resources
A post-event digital workbook filled with prompts, lessons, and songwriting techniques to inspire your creative journey
A deconstruction of some of Rising Appalachia’s favorite songs
Day One: A five-hour Masterclass on songwriting, vocal craft, and creative process.
Day Two: A three-hour Intensive diving deeper into lyricism, structure, and creative flow.
Join us for this special online gathering led by Leah and Chloe of Rising Appalachia, with guest teacher Moira Smiley. All levels welcome.
Early bird Cost: $199 per participant
*price to go up on 12/24
Your registration includes full access to the live summit, recordings, and post event digital workbook. We aim to make this summit accessible to all with limited scholarships available. We encourage people to reach out for lack of funds with a letter sharing your needs for consideration. Email us at with title Scholarship in subject line at officialrastreetteam@gmail.com
Your teachers
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Leah & Chloe
Leah Song and Chloe Smith, the powerhouse sisters behind Rising Appalachia, are internationally acclaimed songwriters, performers, and "song catchers" rooted in the musical traditions of the American South. With their soulful vocals, seamless sibling harmonies, and a unique blend of Appalachian, Irish, Americana, and world roots influences, Leah and Chloe have crafted a sound that bridges cultures and connects deeply with audiences worldwide.
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Moira Smiley
Moira Smiley is a Grammy-nominated singer, composer, and educator renowned for her mastery of the voice and ability to inspire singers of all levels. Moira is a celebrated educator, teaching at leading musical institutions and inspiring singers of all backgrounds. She's published over 100 choral works that are sung by millions of singers worldwide. With a deep respect for the cultural roles of singing, Moira blends teaching, composing, and performing to empower communities and celebrate the transformative power of music.
Join us for this two-day Event. All levels welcome
Limited Spaces Available. Secure your spot now and join us for this special online event and dive deeper into the process of songwriting, and songcatching.
Schedule
Day One – January 3rd
9–2pm PST | 12–5pm EST | 6–11pm EU
Day Two – January 4th
9–12pm PST | 12–3pm EST | 6–9pm EU
DAY ONE- JANUARY 3rd, 2025
MASTERCLASS SCHEDULE
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM:
Welcome & Song-Catching with Leah & Chloe
Start the summit with a grounding session as Leah and Chloe guide participants through songwriting fundamentals, vocal techniques, creative storytelling, and the art of "song-catching." Prepare to begin with a somatic practice, improvisational voice techniques, folk music elements, and traditional song catching. Join us in a conversation around the process of songwriting, how we tend the muse, and the work committing to the creative process.
1:30 PM - 2:15 PM:
Voice & Connection with Moira Smiley
Join Grammy-nominated artist Moira Smiley for a 45-minute session exploring the voice as a bridge between individual creativity and community connection. Through guided vocal practices and storytelling, Moira shares tools for finding resonance, expression, and confidence in your unique sound.
2:15 PM – 2:45 PM:
Collaborate with fellow participants in small groups to explore creative prompts and build community, or take a break to recharge. During this time we will reconvene to share our reflections.
Team work or Optional Break
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM:
We invite you into our community and lineage of multi-generational folk musicians, song catchers and singers. We will teach you techniques we learn from our mother. Leah and Chloe will guide participants through a deeper exploration of songwriting, including deconstructing Rising Appalachia songs and refining personal works. We will breakdown lyrics, core progression, and harmonies in several of your favorite Rising Appalachia songs, exploring the techniques used to bring a song to full completion. You will be offered tips to experiment with prompts for creating your own songs or poetry.
SongCRAFTING with Leah & Chloe
4:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Wrap up the summit with an open Q&A session followed by a reflective and grounding closing circle.
Q&A & Closing Circle
DAY two- JANUARY 4th, 2025
Songwriting Intensive SCHEDULE
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST
SOngwriting Intensive
Deep Dive: Songwriting & Lyricism with Leah & Chloe
A focused, hands-on session diving into songwriting, lyricism, and creative construction. Leah and Chloe will guide participants through writing prompts, melodic exploration, and the layering of lyrics, rhythm, and emotion. Together we’ll explore what makes a song come alive, from inspiration to structure, from seed to full bloom.
Open Writing Space & Feedback
Participants will have dedicated time to write, refine, and share pieces in progress. Leah and Chloe will offer live feedback, gentle guidance, and creative encouragement as you develop your work.
Closing Reflections & Group Share
We’ll close our time together in circle, sharing discoveries, questions, and new sparks from the weekend. A space to integrate, reflect, and carry the creative momentum forward.
IMPORTANT PORTAL NOTES
Once you sign up and register, you can access your member portal using https://risingappalachia.com/song-catcher-portal
Alternatively, you can visit the Rising Appalachia homepage and click the LOGIN option in the top-right corner of the header.
Your portal will be your central hub for all event details, downloadable resources, and recordings, so be sure to bookmark it for easy access!
If you have any trouble logging in, feel free to reach out for assistance!
FAQs
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All live sessions take place on Zoom. Your Zoom link, class schedule, and resources will appear in your member portal once you register.
You will receive emails upon registering for the class, and additional email reminders prior to the course.
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Yes. Each session will be recorded and uploaded to your portal after the event, so you can revisit lessons and exercises anytime.
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No experience needed. The summit welcomes all levels — from beginners exploring their voice to experienced musicians refining their craft.
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Bring a notebook, pen, and instrument if you use one. Make sure you have a quiet space, a good internet connection, and headphones if possible.
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Yes! There will be interactive sessions with space for Q&A, reflection, and sharing.
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Access to both live days
All class recordings
Post-event digital workbook
Creative exercises and prompts
Continued access to resources via your portal
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No worries, recordings and materials will be available afterward so you can participate at your own pace.
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Yes. We offer a limited number of scholarships to keep this event accessible. Email officialrastreetteam@gmail.com with the subject line “Scholarship” to apply.
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You can log in anytime at www.risingappalachia.com.
Click “Login” in the top-right corner of the homepage to access your class portal, where you’ll find all Zoom links, resources, and post-event recordings.If you have any trouble logging in or locating your materials, please email us at officialrastreetteam@gmail.com, and we’ll be happy to help.