Gigi Swanson has been involved in songwriting and music business education for 20 years; first by co-founding the Southern Florida Songwriters Association in the 80's to recently mentoring young writers embarking on their careers. She was an instructor and director of the music business program at MusicTech College, now McNally Smith College of Music, where she developed Associate of Applied Science Degrees in Music Business and Songwriting. She has served as a board member and education chair for the Minnesota Music Academy, board member and former president of the Minnesota Association of Songwriters and member of the new media task force for the Minnesota Film and Television Board.
She has been interviewed by Performing Songwriter and Music Biz magazine on songwriting education and has appeared on several Minneapolis area cable and radio programs in support of the songwriting community and music business education. Recognizing the specific needs of women in the music industry, Gigi co-founded Women In Music- Minnesota, an organization that brings performers, music educators and music business professionals together for networking, development and education purposes and now serves as an advisory board member.
In addition, she has been a panelist for the Grammy in the Schools program, Arts and Entertainment Law Section of the Minnesota Bar Association, and for the 2008 release of Inside the Music Business Strategies for Success Seminar DVD to name a few.
Her latest on camera stint was hosting a documentary/TV program and CD/DVD project featuring Burrito Deluxe to be released in 2010 on Luna Chica Records. Gigi has also worked behind the scenes on film and TV projects including the documentary Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks and the PBS series Legends and Lyrics.
In her spare time she writes for music industry e-publications on indie music topics. She is an award-winning songwriter and is affiliated with ASCAP, NSAI, NARAS, and SGA.