Blair Packham

Background

About Blair Packham

In 2005, Rik Emmett and I founded the Humber Summer Songwriting Workshop, which eventually came to be known as SongStudio. Held every July on the campus of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, SongStudio is a week-long immersion in the art and craft of songwriting, featuring guest songwriter mentors and music industry figures. Over the years, we've hosted accomplished mentors such as Steve Earle, Lyle Lovett, Shelly Peiken ("What A Girl Wants," Christina Aguliera;"Bitch" by Meredith Brooks), Bruce Cockburn, Ahi, Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), Lisa Dal Bello, Scott Helman, SATE, Jules Shear ("If She Knew What She Wants," The Bangles;"All Through the Night," Cyndi Lauper), and many more. SongStudio has built a strong and nurturing community that has only broadened with the new online reality. In 2020, we had more songwriter participants from around the globe than any previous year. As Program Director, I ensure we live up to our founding goal: to help you write your best songs ever, though instruction, and giving your songs a chance to be heard by your peers and others who can help. In 2008, I began leading music classes at both Humber College and Seneca College in Toronto. I have now been a professor at Seneca in the Independent Music Production program for 14 years, teaching Songwriting and Artist Development. As a veteran songwriter, I continue to be fascinated by the art and craft of songwriting, and I'm currently recording a followup release to my three post-Jitters albums.(The Jitters were my 1980s hit-making band on the EMI Music of Canada label; if you're over 40, think "Last of the Red Hot Fools" and "Closer Every Day"). I have scored feature-length films and episodic television series, as well as composed theme songs for many animated shows. I have also acted as Music Supervisor on many film and TV productions, sourcing existing music and securing licenses for its use. Past clients include Global Television, CTV, CBC Newsworld, Discovery Channel, TSN, Oxygen, The W Network, Teletoon, Corus Entertainment, and Nelvana Films. Specialties: Songwriting (crafting an effective lyric, composing an engaging melody, making music that connects), scoring music to picture (underscoring the emotional moments in a dramatic or comedic story), teaching (songwriting, the history of popular music), audio engineering and production.