The Ivors Academy launches its second annual Songwriting Camp with YouTube Music at Qube Studios

07 April 2025 - Press release

 

• Featuring top-tier songwriting talent including GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and Girls I Rate founder Carla Marie Williams MBE.
• Unique opportunity for members of The Ivors Academy to write and collaborate with songwriters, producers, artists and industry professionals
• Taking place 28 and 29 May at Qube Elephant & Castle, London, UK

 

The Ivors Academy, in partnership with YouTube Music, has launched its second annual Songwriting Camp, hosted at Qube Elephant & Castle in London this May, following the success of last year’s inaugural event. 

The camp offers Ivors Academy members a unique opportunity to write, collaborate and network with songwriters, producers and artists, while learning from some of the industry’s most accomplished talents including Carla Marie Williams MBE, who has written for some of the biggest artists in the world including Beyonce, Sean Paul, Craig David, Britney Spears, Girls Aloud and more. 

Carla is an Ivors Academy Honour recipient and a Music Week Women in Music Award-winning campaigner through her organisation Girls I Rate, which she founded in 2016, and is one of the leading organisations in the UK supporting young women in the music and entertainment industries.

Taking place on 28 and 29 May, the camp will provide a space to connect and create at Qube Elephant & Castle, a unique studio space offering high-end recording, DJ and podcast studios, alongside communal workspaces and bar, all in zone one London. Participants will also get the opportunity to meet music professionals from YouTube Music, The Ivors Academy and specially invited guests from across the industry.

The camp forms part of a continued partnership between The Ivors Academy and YouTube Music to nurture songwriting talent and support the larger songwriting community. With a focus on education and collaboration, the camp aims to inspire songwriters and equip them with the tools to develop their craft. 

All participating songwriters will receive a per diem to cover expenses incurred during the camp, ensuring they can fully focus on their creative process without financial burden. This initiative is part of The Ivors Academy’s ongoing commitment to supporting songwriters and advocating for fair compensation across the industry.

Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy said: "We’re pleased to partner with YouTube Music for a second year to provide songwriters with a dedicated space at Qube to connect, experiment and create. It’s important that our songwriting camp is a welcoming and empowering space, whether you're writing your next hit, working with new collaborators or exploring fresh directions in your sound and craft. I'm proud that, just like last year, all participating writers will receive a per diem to cover their expenses. We’re working with the government to urge all labels to follow this approach, and we’re leading by example."

Jenna Rubenstein, Head Of Songwriter Relations for YouTube also commented: “YouTube Music and The Ivors Academy share a joint mission of nurturing and supporting songwriters throughout all stages of their career.  We are so proud to be collaborating with the Ivors Academy for a second year on this powerful songwriting camp - an event rooted in education, collaboration, and true music making. YouTube is always looking for more ways to shine a light on the powerful craft of songwriting, and we are so pleased to be joining forces with The Ivors Academy once again to help support this goal.”

Carla Marie Williams MBE also shared: “I am honoured to be working with The Ivors Academy and YouTube this year, not only to explore collaboration with its members and my peers, but to also represent and lend my voice to their mission to ensure songwriters are being properly compensated for their work. It’s that time!”  

A limited number of spots are available for members of The Ivors Academy. Attendees will be shortlisted and selected by members of The Ivors Academy’s Songwriting Council.

Apply now to take part in two days of collaboration, creativity and community. Applications close at 5pm BST on 14 April.