Courtney Fortune is an acclaimed singer-songwriter, touring artist, songwriting coach, and music mentor. She's worked with hundreds of songwriters on their craft, and her passion for music and advocacy inspires everything she does.

Courtney grew up in Bellingham, Washington, where she started playing jazz and rock clubs at an early age. She was immediately recognized for her distinct smoky voice and is often compared to singers like Karen Carpenter, Linda Ronstadt and Peggy Lee. 

Courtney began touring across the US and internationally, playing residencies in places like Las Vegas, Hong Kong, Japan and Disneyland. She has two studio albums, both produced by 7-time Grammy-nominated composer/arranger Chris Walden. Her EP You Make It Easy was recorded at the iconic Capitol Studios in Hollywood. Courtney was featured singing her original song “Lost In The Memory” on The Chris Walden Big Band album Full On! and the documentary of legendary recording engineer Al Schmitt, The Art of Recording a Big Band. Al Schmitt also discussed Courtney’s performance on an episode on Mix With The Masters. Courtney continues to tour and is currently on the road with Grammy-nominated pianist David Benoit.

As a professional songwriter she has written for major label artists, TV, film, pop stars, boy bands, and more.

Courtney has a bachelor's degree in Music Industry and master’s degree in Arts Leadership from the University of Southern California, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. Other honors include Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women of the Year, and the Brian Wilson Award for Musical Achievement. She has been recognized by the John Lennon Foundation, and is a member of the Recording Academy’s Songwriters and Composers Wing.

In addition to being a performer and songwriter, Courtney is a songwriting coach, a professional music mentor, and advocate for at-risk youth. She is the founder of Songmaker Sessions: a songwriting and mentorship program for teens and adults, and co-founder/co-director of the High School Songwriters Summit and Showcase at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles. Courtney is also founding faculty and co-creator of the Commercial Music Program at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts.

This year Courtney will be a guest speaker at the 2024 American Popular Music Education Conference in Los Angeles, California and Edinburgh, Scotland. She is also a 2024 Artist in Residence at the prestigious Lucas Artists Residency Program at Montalvo Arts Center.

She lives with her family in Los Angeles.

IG: @courtneyfortunemusic

@songmakersessions

To learn more about Songmaker Sessions visit songmakersessions.com