Songwriting
Josh Schroeder
Songwriting director
Josh Schroeder is a Pacific Northwest-based artist, national award-winning songwriter, two-time Grammy performer, producer, and session musician. This Summer (2025), Josh is thrilled to join YMA as the director of their songwriting program, where he will help aspiring artists and songwriters unlock their creative road-blocks, overcome self-limiting beliefs, and push beyond their perceived musical boundaries. Through coaching, Josh is channeling his passion for empowering others to reach their full creative potential.
A sonic alchemist at heart, Josh’s music weaves between dream-pop, delicate folk, and modern psych-rock, creating lush, transcendent soundscapes that resonate deeply with listeners. His artistic evolution is chronicled in a rich discography of solo projects, including Love is a Shade and Stark (2009), the experimental Mourningside and Vignettes (2013), and the expansive dual releases Locked Behind an Open Door and Ocean of Space (2022). Josh has continued to release several new songs in 2024 both as a solo artist and in collaboration with his wife, artist & songwriter, Miranda Vettrus.
Beyond his solo ventures, Josh is the creative force behind groundbreaking projects such as EXROYALE, whose debut single Give It Up garnered international acclaim from outlets like NME and DIY Magazine, leading to a successful West Coast tour. His Orwellian-inspired project (Salem, OR-based) Sleep Millennium evolved into Morning Bells, where he collaborates with bassist Jarred Venti and drummer John McConnell to craft visionary new material.
Josh’s music has left an indelible mark on the world of Film/TV/Advertising, with placements in major campaigns and hit shows like Flashpoint, Degrassi: The Next Generation, and Being Human. His custom scores for brands like Apple, Intel, and Microsoft showcase his versatility and innovative approach to sonic storytelling.
In 2020, Josh and Miranda launched Thousand Echoes Studio, a hub for creativity and collaboration. Together, they balance artistry and family life, leading worship at their church and raising two children.
A past winner of the National John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship and a member of ASCAP's prestigious Lester Sill Songwriting Workshop, Josh combines creative mastery with formal training. Holding a BA in Music Business and certifications in sound production (London College of Music & Media) and digital marketing (Portland State University), his expertise bridges artistry and industry. He also worked in Music Publishing with Windswept Pacific and as General Manager with Cryptogramophone Records.
Through every note, lyric, and lesson, Josh Schroeder continues to expand the boundaries of what music can be—a symphony of imagination, emotion, and innovation.
Miranda vettrus
songwriting assistant instructor
Miranda Vettrus is an award-winning singer-songwriter with over 20 years of experience writing and performing across genres. She began songwriting at age 11 and has since built a career that spans intimate venues to international stages, sharing her music in spaces both large and small.
As a teenager, Miranda was scouted by producers from The Voice and invited to join the show during one of its early seasons. She is a published songwriter with Red Brick Publishing (Toronto), with original songs placed in television, and has performed internationally throughout her career. In addition to her solo songwriting project, Miranda has been a member of the band Sleep Millennium, previously led an electro-pop project, and currently collaborates in a duo project with her husband.
Alongside her performance career, Miranda has experience in songwriting coaching, working with other artists to develop their craft, strengthen lyrical voice, and gain confidence in their creative process. She is newly certified as a trauma-informed Nervous System and the Arts coach through Muscle Music, a program created by Ruby Rose Fox. This training deeply informs her teaching and coaching approach, allowing her to support artists in creating from a place of emotional safety, authenticity, and resilience.
Miranda is honored to serve as an Assistant Songwriting Instructor at YMA, where she is passionate about helping emerging musicians find their voice, tell their stories, and grow as confident, expressive songwriters.