Linda McRae

WORKSHOP TESTIMONIALS 

SONGWRITING AND PERFORMANCE WORKSHOPS MUSIC CAMP COORDINATOR TESTIMONIALS:

Karen Diemert, Smithers Adult Guitar Camp Coordinator
Linda is a patient,  compassionate person with lots of heart to guide people through their difficulties without distress. Students go away with confidence. This is especially good for
beginners who are generally scared of a microphone and performing in front of
people. The song writing class has produced songs of love, heart break,
humour. Students go away being amazed that they wrote a song, put music to it
and sang it at the student concert. The confidence that Linda brings with her is not only seen in the classes but also throughout the duration of the camp during other activities. Linda accompanies students when they want it, plays with all the other Instructors for Instructors
concerts and with one-on-one instruction to students who ask for it. Our camp is rich with Linda as one of our instructors. We hope to always have Linda at our camp as students ask for Linda every year.

Julie Fowler, Executive Director of Island Mountain Arts and ArtsWells Music Festival
"With thirty years of working as a professional musician, Linda McRae brings a wealth of experience to the stage and classroom, sharing her passion and gifted ability for songwriting with the audience and the students that take part in her workshops. A much requested teacher, her popular songwriting workshop has been running at the ArtsWells Festival for the last seven years attracting a loyal following of attendees. On every level Linda is a consummate professional and a pleasure to work with." 

Sue Judge, Artistic Director, Coldsnap, The Prince George Winter Music Festival
We presented a workshop in conjunction with "Youth Around Prince" helping to facilitate discussion about diversity, inclusion, multiculturalism and racism. Our featured artist was Linda McRae. This brilliant and incredibly giving artist shared stories (and songs) with a group of young people about how music helped her find her way in life, how it helped work through hardships and even just about how it brings people together. But the best part was that many young members of the audiences got up and shared their own stories and songs. I believe these sorts of gatherings are an incredible way to promote understanding and communication. 

ONLINE SONGWRITING WORKSHOPS 

 Joshua Sanders (Mexico) May 2024 "I took Linda's songwriting workshop and I am so happy that I did. Her ideas and suggestions were very original and she was extremely encouraging and supportive, as were all of the other attendees. I am only sorry it ended!"

David P. Smith (Canada) May 2024 “When I got wind of this workshop I sent the info on to a few friends…..this isn’t for me, I had thought.  I had done one songwriting workshop a number of years ago and it hadn’t clicked, didn't write a single thing.  What do I want a songwriter workshop for anyway - it’s gonna mess with my outsider songwriter ju-ju.  Well one of the friends I sent it to convinced me to take it and man am I ever glad I did!  It galvanized me, I learned things, it lit a creative fire under my ass, got me thinking about writing and it got me writing. From writing cues to song structures and chord progression to making writing a practice not an occasion….this was great.  Linda is an excellent communicator and she knows her stuff.  She is positive, honest, constructive and motivating and the material you are provided with is well organized, functional, and useful. I would highly recommend this workshop  to musicians of every level or genre.”

Christine Fletcher (Canada) May 2024 “Linda is a supportive, encouraging, knowledgeable and creative songwriting mentor. I’ve had the pleasure of taking a few workshops with her, and they’ve been the most memorable, constructive, and validating songwriting experiences I’ve had. Linda has pulled together a package of instructional materials and prompts that could get any writer into their creative zone. Her passion for songwriting and for sharing her knowledge and experience come through so clearly.  I know I’ll be back again, and I’d recommend her to anyone as a songwriting mentor.” 
 

NASHVILLE HOME WORKSHOPS

Alanna Pass, Newberg, Oregon Oct 2023: I had the privilege of attending one of Linda McRae’s home songwriting intensives with my duo partner. Linda welcomed us into her cozy home on the outside of Nashville that she shares with her husband James and their adorable labradoodle, Spike. We felt instantly at home. We spent our sessions exploring avenues to generate song ideas, and song structure eventually progressing to writing our own songs. Linda not only is an accomplished musician but also a gentle and effective teacher. with her encouragement, we each finished a song and came away with a host of other possibilities. She also provided me with valuable feedback on songs I had previously written. Nashville provided the perfect backdrop for such an adventure. During our time there we were infused with music from live venues for inspiration. Having never been to the area we enjoyed the Country Music Hall of Fame and most of all the National Museum of African American Music. Linda’s coaching was a game-changer for me. I came away with a new sense of confidence and enthusiasm about my abilities. If you are either a new or experienced singer-songwriter, I highly recommend working with Linda McRae. Make some memories, new songs, and some new friends in Nashville. 

Kelsey Foster, Newberg, Oregon Oct. 2023: Linda’s songwriting workshop really helped me unleash some creativity and leave a lot of doubts and self-criticism behind. She helped me see the possibilities of my first attempts and with her encouragement and positivity, I wrote my first song with original music!  The time spent with Linda was really life-changing for me.  I now have more confidence and see myself differently.  I am looking forward to putting her ideas into practice and writing more songs! Linda and James made my singing partner and me feel at home in their comfortable home outside of Nashville. They showed us around town and we heard some live music.  If you are interested in improving your songwriting skills and visiting Nashville, I can’t recommend a better experience than Linda’s workshop.

Steve Kennedy, Ottawa musician and Songwriter Oct. 2022 Linda and James’ workshop was simply wonderful and it took me on a journey that was replete with encouragement, and nurturing guidance, They set the tone for a safe environment in which to create. Linda and James’ home is one filled with respect and a true interest in making the guest experience relaxing and fun. Thanks for the Nashville music scene tour, I also enjoyed that. I came as a student and left as a friend.

Ashanti Fraser, M.Ed., C.C.C., Rockglen, Saskatchewan Oct. 2022: I Just finished one of Linda and James’ home based songwriting workshops in Nashville. It was a totally amazing experience at many levels. Whether you're just thinking of writing your first song or have a well established craft, these three days are going to be a great support to your musical journey.  Each experience is tailored to you and what you want to get out of it. Linda and James create a very safe and loving container to explore songwriting tools and also to guide you to people, music and venues in Nashville that only someone who lives and works there could know about. They are awesome hosts. I would do this again in a second.
 

EXPRESS YOURSELF WRITING WORKSHOPS - EMPOWERING THE DISENFRANCHISED

Denise Skrobecki, Warden, Nebraska Correctional Center for Women. 
Linda and James have greatly impacted the hearts, minds and emotions of our population. The testament is to the numbers who attend and request to attend the workshops each time they have come into our facility. Allowing the population to express themselves through creative writing/poetry using music and open conversation to inspire and support them is a profound way to reach folks who have faced much trauma in their lives. Linda and James play a vital role in helping the women take one step closer to building that confidence in themselves and the ability to move forward. Thank you for what you do!

Tim Miller, Assistant Warden, Nebraska Correctional Center For Women. 
At first, I didn’t know what to expect from the Express Yourself Writers Workshop. I didn’t know what it was all about and I certainly didn’t know how it all worked. While I now know what it is about; I still have no idea how it works. I can’t explain how two people come in to a prison and meet people for the first time and instantly bond with them. I can’t explain how James and Linda can unlock a heart that has been shut for so long and make it put life, goals and dreams on paper and back into the forefront of the mind. I can’t explain it, but I have seen it happen. It is done with relative ease by two people who can relate with the struggle that overpowers many. It is done because they enjoy what they do; and it is done because they would rather funnel hope back in to a soul than watch it die.
  
Nancy Vossler, Health Educator, Nebraska Center for Women
You both have graciously shared your most personal experiences helping to build a bridge of trust with the participants.  They in turn have been able to reach into their inner most thoughts and bring them to life in beautiful and precious words, feeing them from some memory that may have haunted them for a long time. They seemed to walk out lighter, filled with hope and in a happier place in their hearts and minds. What an amazing thing to watch! You have touched me in your presence and music that I hold and treasure deeply.  You have brought many blessings to NCCW and beyond! 

Mary Alley, Vocational Teacher, Nebraska Correctional Center for Women
James and Linda are two of the most genuine people I have ever met.  As their performance moves on you see the women warming up to the new experiences of their instruments, and style of singing.  Each time I feel proud that we are providing that for them. The women leave excited, and wanting more. The writing exercises show them how to begin with their own feelings and experiences and to experiment with poetry and stories. I am there for each session, and love every part of it each time!!

Mike Nelson, Excel Program, Ellensburg, WA
Linda was able to draw in the students with her music and stories and immediately connect with the students in the classroom. Although she had just met the students and was not there longer than a few hours, she was able to win over their attention and respect. Her music articulated universal truths, which all my students were able to relate to. Linda was able to reach all of my students through poetry writing. More impressively, she earned their trust and encouraged them to share their personal writings aloud with the class. This speaks volumes as to her interpersonal skills. Through her guidance, the students genuinely surprised themselves with what they were able to produce. 

Thereasa, Greenwood Coalition Workshop Participant, Port Hope, ON
As a teen I was told by teachers and a newspaper editor that I had talent. At 19 I had my first child and began to have grand Mal seizures. For 15 years I have had writer’s block. The exercises Linda and James showed us had me writing things that helped to open me up. I am grateful to have been able to participate in this workshop!  

 Aubony Chalfant, Center Facilitator, THE HALO FOUNDATION, Kansas City, MO
"The HALO Learning Center - KC was so happy to have Linda and James facilitate a workshop for our homeless and at-risk teens! Their music, personal stories, and creative writing activities were really eye-opening and empowering. They were able to touch the lives of our youth through openness, humor, and encouragement. We would love to have them back anytime they are in Kansas City!" 
   
Anita Haumont, Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center, Geneva, NE
Linda & James facilitated a number of Express Yourself Writing Workshops at the Youth Rehabilitation & Treatment Center in Geneva. Our youth (ages 13-19) absolutely love this workshop!! Linda sang songs, played the banjo, accordian, and guitar, and even "yodeled" for them! In addition, they shared some insight on their own backgrounds, shared some poetry, and through the writing exercises gave the youth here another avenue to express themselves and their feelings! I found both Linda and James to be GENUINE, COMPASSIONATE, and TALENTED! The evaluations we received back from the youth afterward, were AMAZING! The ONLY complaint was that they wanted more than the two hours we had designated for them! 
  
Christine Gish, SFG Family Resource Centre, Prince George, BC 
The Family Resource Centre (FRC) is a neighbourhood based facility that offers programs and activities that promote the health and wellbeing of families and individuals of all ages and incomes. Having Express Yourself Writing Workshops here at our Centre was really exciting. The Artists that facilitated this workshop, Linda McRae and James Whitmire were professional, genuine and down to earth. An artists’ work is very personal and to see Linda be vulnerable to the youth with her songs, stories and poetry enabled the youth to connect and feel empowered in their own self journey. I would very much like to work with Linda McRae and James Whitmire again in the future! 
  
Dennis Hawkins-Bogle, Principal, McNaughton Centre, Quesnel, BC
The students from our alternate secondary program that participated in this workshop all were engaged in writing and sharing. Linda's engaging storytelling and the techniques she used to bring out the creativity in our students was amazing. After the workshop, on the drive back to our school, the students talked about how "cool" the workshop was and how they would like to participate in another workshop. 
  
Rob Richard, Assistant Deputy Warden, Prince George Regional Correctional Center, BC 
Linda and James put on an inspiring workshop for both the male and female inmates here at the Prince George Regional correctional centre. Linda started with a powerful performance of her own music that really made attendees feel comfortable and welcome.  The writing exercises helped participants to explore their feelings and express themselves creatively.  By sharing their life experience they quickly built a trust with the inmates and the result was that the inmates really expressed some of their most personal feelings. The next day one man told me “that two hours was better for me than all the counselling I have had”. I recommend Linda’s workshops to anyone wanting to improve their writing skills or just people wanting to express themselves to others. I was inspired as were the inmate’s that attended. 
   
Conrad Turner, Storefront Program, Joh McInnis Centre, School District #57, Prince George, BC
Linda and James visited the Storefront community alternative program in Prince George, British Columbia in mid January 2013. The presentation was fantastic! Our students were absolutely transfixed for the duration of the two hour engagement. The kids actively participated, including many students who do not usually let their guard down to people outside of their social circle. Linda and James have a very unique ability to make those around them feel instantly comfortable. Their easy going mannerisms enabled them to engage a group of at risk students in a way that is seldom accomplished by visiting presenters. The content was meaningful, poignant and enabled the students to access thoughts, feelings and ideas that seldom see the light of day. I would wholeheartedly recommend taking advantage of their wonderful presentation. 


Mike Christie, Program Coordinator, Camp Trapping, Prince George, BC
It was a great experience. There were students that participated who normally wouldn’t participate. Linda and James were both uplifiting, honest and motivating. The students came up with excellent responses to the poetry prompts. I believe many will use these new skills in their futures.
  
David Green, Prince George Youth Custody Centre
The residents were completely captivated with the workshop and with Linda’s music. They continued to talk about their writing and the topics covered during the workshop and how Linda and James have inspired them to use writing to express themselves in a positive way. I hope they can return to inspire a new group of youth with their music and message.