David Pomeranz and More Host Melbourne Cabaret Festival Master Classes, Beg. Today

The Melbourne Cabaret Festival has launched a professional development program alongside its diverse performance program.

Making the most of its international guests, the professional development program features master classes from David Pomeranz (USA), Adam Guettel (USA) and Tara Minton (UK).

A Radio National special broadcast from the Festival will feature performances and great conversation by the likes of Joey Arias (UK) and Melbourne's very own diva extraordinaire and cabaret provocateur, Yana Alana.

David Read, Artistic Director, said "our professional development program provides everyone with plenty of interesting opportunities to explore the world of cabaret. Most of these opportunities are free but you need to reserve a seat."

Full details are at http://melbournecabaret.com/masterclasses.

David Pomeranz (USA) Master Class - Free

Multi-Platinum award-winning Pop songwriter and Broadway Composer, David Pomeranz, will conduct a seminar about the art of songwriting, called, "All About The Song".

Included in the talk will be such topics as 'Songwriting: art vs. business'; 'Who are the songwriting masters and why?', 'Writing for different mediums', 'Why write at all?', 'How to handle writer's block', 'How to get started in the songwriting business' and many other related topics close to his heart. He will answer questions from the audience and perform hit songs from his own catalogue as well as classics of Pop and Broadway.

Chapel Off Chapel, 6pm - 8pm, Monday 24 June.

It's free but seats are limited. Reserve your spot at http://pomeranz.eventbrite.com.au.

Tara Minton (UK) Master Class - Free

International jazz harpist and songwriter Tara Minton will be hosting a master class during the Melbourne Cabaret Festival focusing on all things harp.

Ever wanted to arrange your favourite Beatles, Beyonce, Zeppelin song for harp? Tara will show you how to do it with flare without sounding gimmicky.

You're a songwriter and want help nailing down those beautiful harmonies and melodies on harp? Tara will workshop ideas with you and help you discover your own style and sound.

Tara will also spend a component of the master class focusing on the live music scene in London and tips on playing outside a classical setting: Navigating crowds with a harp. Playing in tiny pubs. How to tell that macho drunk guy you don't need any help. Mic techniques and dealing with sound engineers. Connecting with audiences from behind a harp.

Chapel Off Chapel, 1pm - 3pm, Sunday 30 June.

It's free but seats are limited. Reserve your spot at http://harpgoddess.eventbrite.com.au.

Radio National at the Cabaret Festival - Free

Hosted by Radio National's Michael Cathcart and broadcast nationally on Books & Arts Daily.

Join the following special guests for some performance and great conversation.

- Joey Arias, New York cabaret icon; award-winning composer/performer,

- Platinum award-winning recording artist, David Pomeranz (USA);

- Jazz harp goddess Tara Minton direct from London and

- Melbourne's very own diva extraordinaire and cabaret provocateur, Yana Alana

Chapel Off Chapel, 5pm - 6pm, Thursday 27 June.

It's free but seats are limited. Reserve your spot at http://radionational.eventbrite.com.au.

Adam Guettel (USA) Master Class

Two-time Tony Award winner, Broadway composer and lyricist, Adam Guettel, will work with some of Australia's hottest musical theatre talent, deconstructing songs from a broad range of music theatre styles and composers, examining lyric interpretation, characterisation, audition technique and career development.

Singers and observers will benefit from gaining practical insight into his own writing, as well as engaging with Mr Guettel to ask questions and discuss his works both on and off Broadway.

The grandson of the great Richard Rodgers who wrote the hits Carousel, Oklahoma!, and South Pacific, Adam Guettel is one of Broadway's most vibrant new voices - a composer and lyricist who has created some of the most adventurous musical theatre of the last decade including The Light in the Piazza, Myths and Hymns and Floyd Collins.

Chapel Off Chapel, noon - 4pm, Sunday 30 June.

Ticket are $80, book at www.chapeloffchapel.com.au.

150 performers - 150 performances - 12 nights - 16 venues - 8 international acts, the Melbourne Cabaret Festival runs Wednesday 26 June through to Sunday 7 July 2013. For more information, visit melbournecabaret.com.