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                       Who benefits from SASS?

SASS workshops and recitals in the schools have been offered free of charge since
2003 to students in grades 6-12, but younger students sometimes get involved, at the
discretion of local teachers.  We have also seen the continuance of SASS-style
writers' circles at the university level, carried forward through the leadership of SASS
graduates.

SASS pays professional songwriters an honorarium to deliver workshops in the
schools on a regulary basis, believing that society needs to value its professional
artists.   SASS strives to support two groups:  young people and Canadian
songwriters.

                        Who supports SASS?

SASS has been primarily funded by local public school boards, as it serves all
communities of students, from gifted to at-risk youth.  The heart of each SASS club
is its teacher.  To date, over 200 educators have volunteered their time to lead and
listen to SASS writers.

Industry sponsors, community groups and generous individuals have supported
the SASS program, including the
Music Industry Association of Canada (MIAC),
Long & McQuade, local Optimist and Rotary Clubs, the Canadian Music Publishers
Association
(CMPA), Rogers Cable 10, The Metalworks Institute, the Ontario Trillium
Fund, The Songwriters Association of Canada (SAC), Music BC
and donors such as
Byron Nelson and Janet Connors.

Songwriters such as Wendell Ferguson, Katherine Wheatley, Linda M, Suzie
Vinnick, Jim Parker, David Leask, Carrie-Lynn DeMaeyer, Lynn Harrison, Debra
Alexander, Jeff Eager, Don McLeod, David Anthony, David Blair, Jim Vallance, Vezi
Tayeb, Patrick Dune, Dale Russell, Selena Gittens, Chad Doucette, Rob Laidlaw,
Duane Gibson and Artemis Chartier have collectively led over 1,500 songwriting
clinics.

Celebrities such as John Kay (Steppenwolf), Amy Sky, Anne Murray, Marc Jordan,
Lance Hoppen, Chris Patterson (
The Arrogant Worms) and Dale Russell have been
among the many volunteer judges evaluating SASS song contests.

Producers Dale Russell of Trail Mix Studios, Patrick Dune of Dune Tunes Recording,
and Patrick Stephenson of
Action House Studios have donated studio time to record
SASS students, producing three beautiful compilation albums to date.  In the 2008
release ‘
Songs That Make A Difference’, young writers encourage the world to
address famine, poverty, and environmental problems.