Speaking Engagements

Informative. Engaging. Entertaining.‍ ‍

Edward's presentations, offered both online and in person, bring the rich world of American popular music to life. From jazz to movie musicals, rock to country, folk, R&B, hip hop, and more, he explores the lives, careers, and craft of some of history's greatest singers, songwriters, and songs.

Combining projected media with live demonstrations at the digital piano, Edward takes audiences behind the scenes to uncover the stories that shaped the music—from creative breakthroughs and songwriting techniques to royalties, business decisions, surprising collaborations, and the personal lives of the artists themselves.

Edward's presentations have been featured by organizations including The Juilliard School, the 92nd Street Y, Chautauqua Institution, and universities and cultural organizations throughout North America.

  • Lectures by award-winning composer Edward Barnes about popular music stars.

    TALKS ABOUT SINGERS

    Billie Holiday, Joan Baez, Bob Dylan, Tina Turner, Lady Gaga, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, The Ronettes, The Crystals, The Beatles, The Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin

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  • Lectures by award-winning composer Edward Barnes about popular songwriters.

    TALKS ABOUT SONGWRITERS

    Rodgers & Hart, Dolly Parton, Lin Manuel Miranda, Cole Porter, The Gershwins, Phil Spector, Quincy Jones, Bacharach & David, Stephen Sondheim, Leonard Bernstein, Kurt Weill, Leiber & Stoller

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  • Sheet music pages with song titles written across the top, including 'I Will Always Love You,' 'Be My Baby,' 'Putin' on the Ritz,' 'I Say A Little Prayer,' 'My Funny Valentine,' and 'The Tracks of My Tears,' with musical notes and chords visible.

    TALKS ABOUT INDIVIDUAL SONGS

    Be My Baby, My Funny Valentine, Puttin' on the Ritz, Blowin' in the Wind, Tracks of My Tears, I Say a Little Prayer, Good Vibrations, Strawberry Fields Forever, I Will Always Love You, I've Got Rhythm

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SAMPLE VIDEOS

Edward Barnes is a composer, educator, and lecturer whose presentations have been featured by organizations including Juilliard, the 92nd Street Y, Chautauqua Institution, and many others. He is the recipient of Guggenheim and National Endowment for the Arts fellowships and has taught hundreds of students through courses exploring American popular music, songwriting, and musical theatre‍ ‍

MORE INFO ON THE "ABOUT" PAGE

SELECTED PRESENTATION VENUES

  • The Juilliard School

  • 92nd Street Y

  • Chautauqua Institution

  • University of Toronto

  • University of Minnesota

  • Old Dominion University

  • Gettysburg College

  • American Mime Theatre

Interested in booking a presentation?

CONTACT EDWARD