Hit songwriter Alex Forbes has been coaching groups and individuals in the art and craft of songwriting since 1990. She leads courses at NYU's Steinhardt School, Gotham Writers Workshop and has also taught at the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Alex has spoken on panels at ASCAP, BMI, The Recording Academy, The Connecticut Songwriters Association and The Austin Songwriters Group, and has led workshops for many public and private educational groups.
 Alex exudes a contagious passion on the subject of songwriting. Since 1984 she has served as a central contact point in New York's music community. Dozens of New York's most successful writers and producers trace their working relationships back to the legendary Song Party critique sessions that met at her apartment in the 1980's.
With releases that range from Rock to Dance to straight-ahead Pop, Alex specializes in instantly catchy melodies and lyrics that capture the essence of life in strikingly vivid ways. With numerous Billboard-charting singles, over 70 releases, and millions of album sales under her belt, she is a "first call" for many of New York's top artists, producers and writers.
Recent successes include “Melt Away,” featured in the Denzel Washington film “Déjà Vu” — a Jerry Bruckheimer production which has grossed over $175 million worldwide — and New Zealand superstar Hayley Westenra's recording of “You Are Water” on her Billboard-charting Classical/Pop album, “Odyssey.”
Alex's first release, the now-classic dance song “Too Turned On,” performed by Alisha, still receives abundant airplay 22 years later. This initial success led to a series of hit singles including Taylor Dayne's massive hit “Don't Rush Me” (#2 Pop, #3 AC, #6 Dance, multi-platinum album, ASCAP Pop Award), Rockell's classic freestyle version of “In A Dream,” and teen heartthrob Joey Lawrence's Top 20 Pop hit “Nothin' My Love Can't Fix,” the latter of which Alex also co-produced.
High points also included collaborating with Cyndi Lauper on a song for her film, “Off and Running,” and co-producing Martha Wash, previously featured in the Weather Girls, C+C Music Factory and Black Box, who recorded Alex's “Leave a Light On.” Other tunes came out with jazz fusion guitarist Hiram Bullock, bassist extraordinaire Jaco Pastorius, Prince protegé Appolonia, and freestyle dance music artists Safire and Noel.
Alex's songs have been placed in many feature films, including ones starring John Travolta, Burt Reynolds, Malcolm McDowell and Linda Fiorentino. Numerous others have appeared in TV shows and an Off-Broadway show. Overseas, Alex's songs have been hit singles for Fan Club (New Zealand), Indra (France), Patti Day (U.K.), Papa Dee (Sweden) and Marie Frank (Denmark, Gold Album).
Over the years Alex has worked with some of the music world's most renowned producers, including Tony Visconti (Bowie, T. Rex, Morrisey), Michael Zager (“Let's All Chant”), Andy Marvel (Jessica Simpson, Celine Dion), Steve Addabbo (Shawn Colvin, Suzanne Vega), DJ Gomi (Mariah Carey, Madonna), and Mark Berry (Duran Duran, Billy Idol). She's currently working on new projects with collaborators in New York, Sweden, Atlanta and LA, and has releases planned in Brazil, Sweden, Canada and the U.S.
For the past 8 years, Alex has been contributing her talents to Songs Of Love, a nonprofit organization that creates personalized songs for kids with chronic or terminal illnesses.
Alex received a Creative Writing degree from Stanford University, and was mentored in the art and craft of pop songwriting by the legendary Doc Pomus ("This Magic Moment," "Save The Last Dance For Me").
What People Say About Alex
"Developing artists referred to Alex have gone on to sign record deals, win industry prizes, and, in one case I know of, land a song on a platinum-selling album."
"Alex created quite a buzz of energy and motivation among the Songwriting Conference attendees, connecting well with writers across a broad range of styles and levels of development."
"Our students especially enjoyed learning the process of constructing a hit song, and Alex also provided useful instructional materials."
"Alex puts 100% of her heart and soul into making music and has been a great inspiration for me through the years."
"Simply put, Alex is a master at her craft. I've learned a great deal from working with her.”
"The last song I wrote with Alex was a big hit and helped our album go gold in Denmark."
"Alex's insightful, honest, and friendly critiques, combined with the energy and enthusiasm that she brings to every session, make her a great teacher and resource for any songwriter."
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