Union Parish Library Spark Songwriter Studio

The Union Parish Library kicks off the second annual Spark Songwriter Studio in February!
The program is free for students grades 6-12 and applications are being accepted now.
Stephanie Herrmann, Director, comments, “The Spark Songwriter Studio is a program where we pair students with music mentors that walk them through the songwriting process.”
Kimberly Dean, musician who traveled and performed with the gospel family “The Sullivans” serves as the music producer of the series. Dean adds, “When students are passionate about something and have an avenue to pursue that, then great things can happen.”
And this is what the Spark Songwriter Studio is all about. In a seven week period, students write a song, perform for vocal coaches, do a photo shoot, make a music video, record a USB single, create an album cover, and host a finale concert. Last year the library invited 10 students to participate.
This year, 10 new students will join 6 returning students for a total of 16. Year two students will be entering the fireball stage of Spark where they perform duos and trio songs together.
Students in Spark are required to be able to already play an instrument well enough to keep the notes and rhythm of the song. That instrument could be guitar, piano, a drum or even a tamborine.
For those that say 7 weeks is a short amount of time to accomplish all these things, Herrmann adds, “There is something very synergetic about putting these talented students together in a program. The spark indeed is ignited and we just watch them blaze through the process getting better and better each week!”
The Union Parish Library believes that following your passions is not about perfection. It really is about just doing what you love to do. Dean adds, “Following your dreams takes passion and courage and with those two things, students who dare to try can go anywhere!” Whether the student pursues music as a hobby, a job, or just for pleasure, for those that love music—it will follow you forever.
The library is partnering with adult music mentors where music is just a way of life for them. They are: Amanda McDowell, DJ, musician, and songwriter, Kiko Pryor, R&B and Gospel singer, pianist, songwriter, Jordan Sheppard, singer songwriter, performer, Emily Pender, songwriter, singer, Keith Jennings, poet/hip hop songwriter, Cal Presley, band/solo performer, Sherri Antley, pianist/vocal coach, Trey Gauthreaux, musician/performer, Katie Knight, songwriter, performer, Dee Ellsworth, singer/music teacher, Rickey Pittman, author/folk singer, Micah Kennedy, solo performer/songwriter, Chick Larson, songwriter/producer, Alexa Humphries, spoken word poet, and Big Al Cherry, young minister/Christian Hip-Hop artist.
All of these musicians believe in giving back because they too were inspired with music at a young age. Spark is the collaboration of all these people in one pressure cooker experience to go from Spark to Blaze at the finale concert.
Herrmann adds, “We get to watch these students go from Spark (Photo Shoot) to Flame (Songwriting) to Glow (Vocal) to Ember (Recording) to Ignite (Video) to Burn (Rehearsal) and to the finale Blaze (Concert)!” Last year the students signed autographed photos and passed out album covers at their finale performance while taking photos on an antique fire truck.
The public is invited to the finale concert on April 10th to see these Spark performers for 2025. There are some special surprises in store for the 2025 concert too. It will indeed be F-I-R-E!
To apply for the program, please visit the Union Parish Library at 202 West Jackson to pick up an application. The program only accepts 10 students and applications are due February 17. Students can apply from out of parish, but first priority will be given to those who apply from Union Parish. The Spark team will pick the top 10 for the 2025 class.

Call 318-368-9226 for more information.