Songwriting Circle with Erin Frisby

Songwriting Circle with Erin Frisby is a five-session workshop for people at any stage of songwriting, from complete beginners to experienced writers seeking an encouraging creative community. Participants will share songs or works in progress, receive constructive weekly feedback, and develop their confidence through songwriting exercises, prompts, collaboration opportunities, and guided listening.

Led by DC musician and educator Erin Frisby, the circle also includes access to a playlist of influential songwriters, an invitation to at least one group open-mic outing, and the option to be included on a class compilation. Participants may focus on lyrics, learn more about playing an instrument, or customize their involvement according to their experience and interests.

When: Saturdays, November 21 through December 19, 2026. Sessions meet on November 21 and 28, and December 5, 12, and 19.

Showtimes: 3:00–4:30 PM for each session.

Venue: Rhizome DC.

Tickets: $125 for all five sessions when paid in advance, which guarantees a spot. Individual sessions are $30 each at the door.

Format: Five weekly songwriting-circle sessions featuring guided feedback, writing prompts, sharing, and collaboration.

Instructor: Erin Frisby.

Instructor background: Frisby is a veteran of the DC music scene who grew up singing Appalachian and Ozark folk music, studied opera, and has toured nationally with their original songs. Their work has received praise from Washington City Paper, Sound Opinions, No Depression, and Country Queer. Frisby has created and presented music and songwriting programs for Chicago Public Schools, The Luce Center, The Millennium Stage, Hirshhorn Gallery Talks, and the Folger Shakespeare Library. They completed a 15-week intensive in arts activism and community arts through The Sanctuaries DC, co-founded the grassroots nonprofit This Could Go Boom!, and currently fronts the rock band Ammonite.

Experience level: Beginners are welcome, including people who have never written a song, are concentrating on lyrics, or have only recently begun playing an instrument.

Included: Weekly feedback, songwriting exercises and prompts, a playlist of notable songwriters, opportunities to collaborate, at least one group open-mic outing, and optional inclusion on the class compilation.