This Songwriting and Poetry course provides an immersive journey into lyric writing, combining poetic craft with contemporary songwriting techniques. Led by Winchester-raised songwriter Ryan O’Reilly—whose work has amassed nearly 150 million streams globally and appeared in notable film and TV productions, this class blends literary study, creative exercises, and group discussion to deepen students’ songwriting skills and lyrical expression.
Each week pairs classic poets and literary voices with influential singer-songwriters to examine the art of storytelling through words and music:
No previous songwriting or poetry experience is necessary, just a willingness to explore creativity and participate actively.
Bring pen, paper, and any lyrics or poems you wish to develop.
Students will complete the course with a portfolio of original lyrics, constructive group feedback, and a strong foundation for further songwriting or creative writing studies.
Ryan O’Reilly began his career performing at The Railway in Winchester in 2003. Early experiences include open-mic performances in Toronto, poetry studies at University College Dublin, and street performing on London’s Portobello Road, where several viral online moments led to signing a record deal with Qatar’s first indie label. He relocated to Berlin to write his debut album, The Northern Line, produced by Grammy-nominated David Granshaw at Chale Abbey on the Isle of Wight. Ryan has written critically acclaimed confessional songs with Toronto’s Jadea Kelly and Boston’s Hayley Reardon, and collaborated with Amistat, whose introspective music has nearly 150 million streams worldwide. He contributed to Flyte’s second album, This is Really Going to Hurt, and worked alongside Czech Grammy-winner Anna Vaverková and Belarusian Eurovision entrants Naviband, co-writing a protest song in English after they fled their country. Ryan also wrote with Tina Turner producer Brent Maher at a renowned studio publishing house in Nashville’s iconic Berry Hill while collaborating with pedal steel legend Spencer Cullum. In Los Angeles, Ryan teamed with award-winning composer Blair Mowat to create the original end credit music for ITV’s After the Flood. His compositions have featured on Station 19, McDonald & Dodds, and the 2023 feature film Doctor Jekyll starring Eddie Izzard. Ryan’s songwriting blends storytelling, emotional depth, and cinematic atmosphere, all central to his creative and teaching approach.