A grant from Music Drives Us to run a singing-songwriting workshop series for Island youth ages 11 to 17 has been awarded to Vineyard songwriter and vocalist Annie Cook. The workshop sessions run on Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. from Jan. 6 through March 10. The program includes practice sessions and voluntary performances in late March and early April.

The grant application requested funding to offer a stipend to local singer-songwriters as guest artists and mentors. This pilot program includes Willy Mason, Sean McMahon, Jodie Treloar Sampson, Shawn Barber, Rick Padilla, Jessie Leaman, and Siren Mayhew. Adam Garde will join Ms. Cook to help manage workshop activities during each session.

The workshop sessions currently allow for no more than 10 kids at a time, but kids can sign up on a first-come, first-served basis for as many sessions as they like.

The workshop is free, but voluntary contributions will be accepted to help fund the spring performances in which professional musicians will accompany the young songwriters and their mentors.

Two performances are currently scheduled for next year.

The workshops will be held at various locations around the Island, including the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School, Alex’s Place, Pathways ARTS at the Chilmark Tavern, the Oak Bluffs Library, and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Edgartown.

Sign-up information can be found at themusemv.org.