THE HEART OF A SONG:
SONGWRITING WORKSHOP WITH DARDEN SMITH AND MARY GAUTHIER

NOVEMBER 2-6, 2026 
MURRAY HOTEL, LIVINGSTON, MONTANA

Price - $1295

LIMITED TO 20 PARTICIPANTS

You are invited to join Darden Smith and Mary Gauthier for their first ever songwriting workshop at the Murray Hotel, a beautiful, boutique historic hotel in downtown Livingston. Darden and Mary are eager to share what they’ve learned over their combined seventy years of songwriting experience. Whether in an arena, folk club, major festival, desert campfire, or in a room with a wounded combat veteran, both Mary Gauthier and Darden Smith deliver songs that connect. Now, they want to guide you to succeed in connecting with your songs. 

This workshop is suitable for writers of all levels! Struggling to finish your first song? Haven’t picked up a guitar in decades? Expert troubadour working to bring your next song cycle to conclusion for an upcoming record? Join us! These three days of intensive songwriting sessions will inspire you, challenge you, and encourage you. We will work together in a group to safely and gently elevate each song to the next level. Every student will leave with a new set of tools to add to their songwriting toolbox.

Due to the nature of the workshop, reservations at the Murray Hotel are limited to workshop participants. It is required that all students stay at the Murray Hotel, and there are single and double rooms available, and even a two bedroom suite. They are offering exclusive discounted rates for all workshop students, and the entire hotel is reserved for workshop participants only. Meals are available within walking distance from the hotel. Recommendations for offsite housing for non-participants is available on request. Thanks for understanding. Room reservations must be made directly with the hotel at info@murrayhotel.com. The hotel is happy to provide lodging before and after the workshop at the same rate.

Our coordinator, Joanne Gardner, can help with travel details. The Bozeman airport is 35 minutes away and if we can group attendees together, we can help with shuttles. Rental cars are available at the airport. Joanne can also help with information on touring Yellowstone Park, fly fishing trips, hiking, etc. 

CANCELLATION POLICY -- Refunds will be available up to 30 days before the workshop begins. We anticipate this selling out, please reserve your spot and get your deposit in soon!

For more information, please email  joannegardnermt@gmail.com.

Murray Hotel Website