April Keez

Teaches: Songwriting

Pronouns: She/her

Teaching Philosophy: Anyone can be a great songwriter if given the right tools to get there. A lot of people assume that songwriting, and music in general, is a lofty, unattainable skill that only people who are born with intrinsic talent can achieve. I spend a lot of time trying to dispel this myth by teaching skills like outlining, sense-bound imagery, song structure, harmony, and musical analysis. Art is for everyone!

Music Influences: I grew up listening to classic rock and 60s folk revival artists like Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchell, and Simon and Garfunkel. In my teen years, I got very into alt rock, pop punk, indie pop, and emo. Now I listen to anything with interesting lyrics, a catchy melody, or fun harmony - anything that sparks my curiosity or imagination. I'm originally from New Jersey, so I am a sucker for Bruce Springsteen!

When I’m not making music: I love to learn useless skills! I can do a Rubik's Cube in two minutes, juggle, finish an extra-hard variant Sudoku, knit, and fold a paper crane, along with lots of other silly activities. I also enjoy cuddling with my three kitties, writing, cooking, and reading (especially fantasy, sci fi, and magical realism).

Favorite Place in Maine: Mackworth Island

April Keez is a multi-talented singer-songwriter, YouTuber, and music educator with over 10 years of teaching experience. She has taught students of all ages and in many different contexts, both in-person and online, including private lessons, group workshops, and elementary music classes. She holds a B.M. in Professional Music and an M.A. in Songwriting from Berklee College of Music.

April believes that art is for everyone, and she works hard to make the craft of songwriting accessible to all. She has created easy-to-use songwriting resources, including tutorials, walkthroughs of her songwriting process, and online courses across a variety of digital platforms. The aim of these resources is to create more accessibility in the arts and to make the process of songwriting fun and emotionally honest for aspiring and experienced songwriters alike.

April's original song, "Boston in the Rain," was a finalist in the 2022 Songdoor Songwriting Contest, and her YouTube channel, April Keez, is ranked among the Top Songwriting Channels to follow in 2024. American Songwriter magazine has listed her Songwriting for Beginners course as one of the 5 Best Online Songwriting Courses of 2024.