Under the stewardship of Judy Stakee, we’re redefining the educational experience of songwriting.
About The Founder
Judy Stakee is a world-renowned artist development specialist, author, and speaker. Her songwriting methodology has kickstarted and shaped the careers of today’s most acclaimed songwriters and artists.
With over four decades of music experience, Judy has earned an industry reputation as the champion of the songwriter. During her 20 years as Senior VP of Creative at Warner Chappell Music, Judy signed, developed, and managed their star roster including Grammy-award winner Sheryl Crow, Michelle Branch, Jewel, Gavin DeGraw, John Shanks, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Scott Cutler, and Anne Previn, Julian Bunetta, Kevin Kadish, and Franne Golde.
Before joining Warner Chappell, Judy worked with legendary record producer Clive Davis at Arista Music and acted as General Professional Manager at Screen Gems Music, where she signed and developed the songwriting careers of Rick Nowels and Grammy-nominated songwriter Scott Cutler. She also looked after Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Barry Mann, and Cynthia Weil, whose catalogs were housed at Screen Gems.
Judy holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Music from the University of Southern California. She is a past president of the National Songwriters Association, former governor of NARAS (LA Chapter), and a songwriter and vocalist in her own right. She has garnered hundreds of BMI and ASCAP awards for her writers and numerous Grammy, MTV, CMA, and AMAs.
Photographed by Judy:
Dave Bassett
Bob Thiele Jr.
Cindy Morgan, Steve Bogart, and Dave Bassett
Tommy Simms, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Gordon Kennedy
John Rich
Cindy Morgan
2 wet dogs in a fountain in Paris
Jamie Houston
Jane Wiedlin
About The Company
The Judy Stakee Company was founded in 2009 with a mission to provide career-altering support to promising songwriters. The company served as a launchpad for songwriters including The Voice's Raelynn (Round Here Records), Gina Schock (The Gogo’s), Shaun Shankel (producer/writer), and Jordan Richman (multi-platinum producer and writer).
In 2016, The Judy Stakee Company launched its now-renowned songwriting retreats. Now with over 700 songwriting alumni, the retreats have taken place at nature-inspired locations around the world, including the French countryside, British Columbia wilderness, California Redwoods, and the scenic hillsides of Tennessee.
The Company’s songwriting retreats focus on an internal artistic transformation. Retreat alumni have placed songs in TV and film, gotten signed to major publishers, learned new instruments, and even lost 30 pounds.
Outside of the retreats, The Judy Stakee Company provides individual coaching, song retreats, and support to its thriving alumni community.