Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Walker.
Deanna, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I came to Nashville in 1998 as a composer, pianist, and a newbie songwriter and miraculously, within just a few weeks, I was hired to teach piano at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt. Looking back, it feels like a little bit of destiny. A pianist on the faculty had just left for another school and suddenly there was an opening. I had fallen in love with Nashville and songwriting after attending an NSAI Songcamp, and with my very fresh divorce, it felt like the perfect time to take a leap into something wildly new.
In the fall of ’99, Dean Mark Wait suggested I start teaching a songwriting class through the Blair Academy. I was thrilled — I love teaching and talking about things I’m excited about — but I also knew I was just beginning to learn what it meant to be a real songwriter, much less a great one. So, my solution was to start inviting top hit songwriters and publishers to come speak each week so my students and I could learn directly from the best. That’s how the Blair Hit Songwriter Series (BHSS) was born. We’ll celebrate its 25th anniversary this December!
Those early years were electric. I spent many nights at the Bluebird, soaking in every note and lyric I could. After shows, I’d walk right up to the songwriters I’d been in awe of and ask if they’d come to class. To my surprise, most of them said yes! Modern-day legends like Craig Wiseman (ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Century) were regular guests. Craig was just starting to have his first of many #1 hit songs. He’d often come to class and afterward, he’d take us out to listen to his new demos in his car until 11:00-11:30 at night. We regularly heard songs written just that week which went on to be radio and award-winning hits. It was magic. We were all dizzy with excitement and possibility. It was a thrill and a deeply satisfying full-circle moment to have Craig back for our 25th year, along with many of the original class members.
A year or so after starting the BHSS, I launched the first college songwriting class for credit at Vanderbilt. It filled up so fast that I had to add a second section almost overnight. Over the years, the program grew into multiple classes — intro and advanced levels, the BHSS, and even a special class for combat veterans through Blair’s partnership with CreatiVets. I’ve probably taught close to 2,000 students, many of whom have gone on to become major hitmakers and industry leaders — writers like Michael Pollack, Eli Teplin, Lauren Miller (Malibu Babie), Jon Nite, Barry Dean, Jesse Rice, CJ Solar, and more.
In the meantime, I kept growing as a writer— I’ve had some publishing deals, I have songs that have streamed over 70 million times on Spotify alone, and had my music featured on American Idol, network TV shows, and commercials. I’ve worked steadily across genres — one of my earliest cuts was with Kenny Rogers, some of my latest are with European dance-pop DJs like Goldfish and Lari Luke, featuring powerhouse vocalists like Alida, and in December I have a song coming out with afro-pop artists Joki, Thierry Von Der Warth and Mugisho. Some of my favorite collaborations are with dear friends and amazing artists like Rissi Palmer.
Through it all, the Blair Hit Songwriter Series has been at the heart of my Nashville story — it’s been a community hub, an inspiration for us all, and the birthplace of many lifelong friendships. I’m still close to some of the students from that very first semester!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Oh, there were plenty of bumps! For the BHSS, one of the biggest challenges was simply getting the word out. There were semesters when we’d only have three or four people signed up. It was hard to see a lineup of incredible guests come to a nearly empty room — but honestly, it made for some amazing, intimate nights for the few who were there.
Today, it’s a different story — we have about 38 students this semester, many joining in from other cities and even countries (these days, we also meet on Zoom). We currently have a student who tunes in every week from London, which means he has to be up until 3:00 am! We’ve had guests this semester like Eli Teplin (my former Vandy student, fresh off multiple cuts with Justin Bieber and Bon Iver), Nathan Chapman (Grammy-winning producer of Taylor Swift’s first five albums), and Mike Elizondo (3x Grammy-winning producer for Eminem, 21 Pilots, Carrie Underwood, and more). Plus, we’ve had six incredible publishers giving live feedback on student songs (which we do every semester).
People tell me all the time that the Blair Hit Songwriter Series is “Nashville’s best-kept secret.” Or, “I didn’t even know Vanderbilt had songwriting classes!” That kind of drives me crazy and my mission is to make sure it doesn’t stay a secret much longer!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Well, I’m a Senior Lecturer at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, a songwriter, producer, and composer and now I’m also a certified Life and Executive Coach. I’m known for being an enthusiastic mentor and guide, someone who can see and amplify gifts and greatness in others. One thing I’m great at and most excited about is identifying people’s hidden potential. I am bursting with pride for my many students who’ve gone on to have massive music business careers and the impact they’re having on the world. I feel like I’m a piece of that and I’m so honored to have been a part of their journeys. What sets me apart? First and kind of simply, my deep love, passion, and compassion for others. Also, the creative skills I’ve honed for through a lifetime of teaching and co-writing transfer so beautifully and easily to life coaching—I think it’s made me more creative and effective in the coaching space.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
My why has always been about lifting and amplifying the brilliance in others. It’s what fuels me as a teacher, as a co-writer, and now as a life and executive coach. Whether it’s helping someone write a song, find their creative voice, or step fully into their gifts, I’m endlessly inspired and excited by the transformation that happens when people connect to their truth and express it boldly.
Pricing:
- Blair Hit Songwriter Series, Full Participant (those who can get their songs critiqued by publishers): $349 for 15 week class
- Blair Hit Songwriter Series, Observer Participant (those who don’t want their songs critiqued by publishers): $153 for 15 week class
Contact Info:
- Website: https://blair.vanderbilt.edu/blair-academy/songwriters/
- Instagram: @blairhitsongwriters
- Facebook: @blairhitsongwriterseries
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deannawalker
- Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/vanderbiltu/sets/hit-songwriter-series
- Other: deannawalkercoaching.com (page in progress)
