Learn song-writing from a virtuoso!

Excitingly, we can announce the return in 2012 of the legendary singer-songwriter Dean Friedman who will again operate his residential summer songwriting course with us in Carcassonne.

Acknowledged as one of the best lyrics-and-melody composers in the music industry and with the perfect, instantly-recognisable soaring voice which gave him hit songs like Ariel, Well Well Said the Rocking Chair, Lydia - and, of course, the quirky and memorable British chart-topper Lucky Stars - Dean has remained a major inspiration to other songwriters for more than 20 years.

This is a rare and exclusive opportunity to spend four days at the French House Party learning the techniques of composing with a performer frequently compared to Billy Joel and Paul Simon - and described by one music critic as "A genius. An original. A musical craftsman of unrivalled expertise."

After his August 2010 shows at the Edinburgh Festival, Three Weeks reviewer Tom Bell declared: "Dean Friedman is entirely unique and utterly brilliant" - a sentiment which was seconded by the group of singer-songwriters who joined Dean's course in France.

The all-inclusive 4-day break will contain 3 days of group instruction workshops, jamming sessions, one-to-one tuition, writing, performances and the bonus of a privately-arranged Dean Friedman evening gig.

Non-participating partners sharing a room with a participant are welcome at a reduced rate of £100 off the full price.

Dean Friedman's touching love song "McDonald's Girl" is being used in a new McDonald's TV advertising campaign. This version is sung, not by our awesome songwriting instructor Dean, but by The Blenders. To see the video click below: