It's 500 miles from Youngstown to Nashville.
But these three women are right at home in both cities.
Which means they have two places to share their gift of music.

Kirsti Manna, who wrote Blake Shelton's breakthrough hit "Austin", is hosting her latest Songwriter Girl workshop on Saturday.

"I started Songwriter Girl just because I wanted to share my knowledge and everything I've learned about the music business with girl and women, help build their confidence, their writing skills and creativity," explained Manna. "And when we started talking about making plans for this, I thought 'why not do a songwriter round?'"

So she invited Leanne Binder and Taylor Borton - both also from Youngstown.
The chance to join a groundbreaking woman songwriter like Kirsti Manna was one they couldn't refuse.

"I get to hang, and (with) the young artists coming up, I somehow get pushed in between the two of them, I'm like 'I'm in!', This is so cool!" said Binder.

"I just feel like coming back here, people just appreciate it more," added Borton. "You're in Nashville where there's music all the time and you're not really as appreciated and there's just a lot of men there doing it. So it's just cool to come back here and do this with these powerhouse women."

The event helps support SMARTS.
It's a nonprofit community arts school that helps young people and their creativity thrive.

"We want to help young girls who are sometimes marginalized or not really comfortable sharing their thoughts and feelings, and giving them the opportunity in a safe place where they can find comfort and work with professionals," said SMARTS president Becky Keck.

Professionals who are ready, willing and able to help young women like them follow their lead.

"I'm just trying to kick you in the creative butt," said Manna. "It isn't if you want to become a big songwriter or anything like that, I just want you to have a really happy, creative, passionate life."

You can find more information about Manna's Songwriter Girl workshops by CLICKING HERE.

Binder has a new EP coming out in June, and you can learn more about her on Instagram @LeanneBinderMusic.

Borton also has a website and social media, which you can find @TaylorBorton Music on Instagram.