Driver’s Ed Classes

(Teacher bios are located at the end of the class descriptions)

Friday, November 7th

11:00am – 12:30pm: Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Shortcuts to Hit Songwriting for the Pop and Country Markets with Robin Frederick – Midway Room(Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor)Country, Pop, and Pop/Rock are today's largest mainstream, commercial music genres. Writing for these markets can be lucrative and creative! Contemporary hit melodies and lyrics are exciting, fresh, and challenging. Learn how you can turn your songs into Country and Hot AC hits using the songwriting shortcuts the pro's use!
  • 10 Steps to Career Successwith Kenny Kerner – Logan Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Can’t get your career started? Do you come up with good ideas but don’t do anything about them? Are you totally confused and ready to give up? Are you waiting for someone to kick you in the ass and inspire you? Let Kenny do it by teaching you 10 things you need to do as an indie artist to achieve career success as a professional.
  • What Songwriters Need to Know to Make Money in Music with ToddandJeff Brabec– LaGuardia Room(Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor)Jeff and Todd discuss the many different areas where songwriters earn income in both the online as well as traditional worlds of music. Based upon their best selling book, Music, Money and Success: The Insider’s Guide to Making Money in the Music Business, the Brabec’s discuss the types of negotiated deals and the money that can be made from songs in videogames, motion pictures, television programs, DVDs, advertising commercials, musical theatre, radio and television performances, streaming and downloads, cell phones, ringtones and ringbacks, greeting cards, musical toys and more.
  • No Rules, Just Tools: Songcraft Fundamentals with John Braheny – Kennedy Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) If you started writing by instinct before you learned the principles of manipulating song structure and dynamics for maximum impact; if you keep getting TAXI critiques that say you need better structure or more contrast; if you need to brush up on what you missed and get more control over what you instinctively know, then this is the class for you. Increase your odds of getting your songs forwarded. Of the new 3rd Edition of John’s best selling book, American Songwriter Magazine says “It’s hard to conceive of a how-to-book for songwriters that covers more territory – and does so more effectively – than The Craft and Business of Songwriting.”
  • Improve Your Songwriting Insantly with MasterWriter 2.0 with Barry DeVorson – The Theatre (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Hit Songwriters like David Foster, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Gwen Stefani, Rob Thomas, Lionel Richie, Jimmie Webb, Jeffrey Steele and many more, all use MasterWriter. Join Hit Songwriter Barry DeVorson and be among the first to see the exclusive debut of MasterWriter 2.0. It won’t write your songs for you, it will give you a huge arsenal of tools to draw from in one, easy to use program. No more writer’s block, no more searching to come up with just the right word or phrase. Come to any of the Masterwriter seminars for a chance to win a FREE Taylor guitar. We will announce the winner at a drawing at the end of our presentation on Sunday. You need not be present to win!
  • Better Arrangement Decisions for Better Sound Recordingswith Ronan Chris Murphy – Orly Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor)One thing that most experienced producers know is that musical arrangements will have a hugeinfluenceon the impact, emotion and, ultimately, the sonic quality of a recording. Producer Ronan Chris Murphy will share some tricks and strategies for using arrangement to make the most of your recordings, regardless of budget. Also learn how to avoid many of the common mistakes novices make that prevent their tracks from competing with album and broadcast quality masters.
  • Stripping Down Your Demos and Getting Them Cut with Cliff Goldmacher – Sea-Tac Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) This workshop is for songwriters who would like to streamline the demo process, keep their demo budgets in check and maximize the return on their investment while still ending up with great sounding recordings of their songs. The workshop covers pre-production, studio/engineer selection, hiring/working with vocalists/session musicians, explaining the guitar/piano vocal, and demo examples along with tricks of the trade.

Friday, November 7th continued

2:45pm-4:15pm:Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Networking Strategies for Songwriterswith Dan Kimpel – Midway Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd floor) Success in our changing music industry is determined by the strength and longevity of personal contacts. Dan Kimpel, author, educator and networking expert, presents a "kimpelling" session to educate songwriters in the fine art of maximizing personal and professional relationships, making contacts and presenting yourself in the best possible light. Who you know; what you know; who knows you: sharpen your networking and communication skills with the power of positive energy.
  • Transform Your Beliefs – Today!with Debra Russell - Logan Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd floor)How, exactly, does one achieve success? Just keep taking action, right? Wrong! The truth is, how much you believe in yourself actually is the main determination of how successful you'll be. Just as strong muscles help you win a ballgame, strong positive beliefs boost your energy and confidence, create opportunities, attract powerful partners, clear obstacles from your path, and propel you effortlessly into action and results. Don't miss this one even if you've taken Debra's class before - She's added a bit of alchemy - you'll actually transform a belief!
  • The Most Effect Things You Can Do to Call Attention To Your Musicwith Derek Sivers – LaGuardia Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor)How are the top-selling successful independent artists doing it? How doors seem to magically open for some but not others? Derek Sivers, founder of CD Baby, shares everything he's learned in this intense

90-minute workshop that has been one of our most popular workshops in years past.

  • How to Reach Your Songwriting Goals Fasterwith Bob Baker – Kennedy Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor)Do you ever feel frustrated that you aren't making as much forward progress with your music as you'd like? Are you even losing more ground than you're gaining? In this class you'll learn the secrets of effective goal setting from a successful music biz pro. Bob Baker, author of "Guerrilla Music Marketing Handbook," has achieved the impossible. Bob is a prosperous author, a sought-after speaker, a member of Berkleemusic.com's online faculty, and a recognized indie music marketing expert. In this class, he shares the steps he took and reveals the CCSS Model for overcoming obstacles, the 5 Success Questions you must ask yourself, the right way (and wrong way) to set goals, and more.
  • DIY Indie Artist Marketing, Touring and Promotion with Gilli Moon – The Theatre (Mezzanine Level / 2nd floor)Topics covered include music production, promotion, marketing, touring, image and artist development, surviving the industry, staying motivated, defining success on one's own terms, how to develop the right relationships, overcoming obstacles, and many more. Practical steps in harnessing one’s creative abilities to succeed and survive in the music business and enjoy one's artistry at the same time, with key business principles and spiritual nourishment. Join Gilli Moon, Artist, Entrepreneur and empowering community builder, for an impactful, insightful and inspiring seminar.
  • Beat Meets Melodywith Jason Brawner – Orly Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) This class starts with breaking down the most popular beats of the day, continuing through placements of melodic phrases and ending with examples of where these two elements meet (often at the top of the charts!) You’ll look at how the proper use of this topic launched the careers of Michelle Branch, Taylor Swift and The Eagles. Finally, you’ll see how to apply the technique to every song that bears your name, past and future.
  • How’d You Do THAT?!with Darlene Koldenhoven – Sea-Tac Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd floor)Learn how to capture that “winning” vocal sound from GRAMMY® Winner & MVP Session Singer, Darlene Koldenhoven. As an award-winning producer, recording artist, vocal contractor, songwriter, arranger, voice teacher/coach, and studio owner, Darlene brings her many years of experience and expertise on working from ‘both sides of the glass’ as she addresses the solutions in technique and dual communication to achieve that ‘platinum’ vocal sound. Her #1 album, Infinite Voice, and new book with 7 CDs, Tune Your Voice: Singing and the Mind’s Musical Ear, is endorsed by everyone from Juilliard to “American Idol” says it all. Stop by for a listen.

Friday, November 7th continued

4:30pm – 6:00pm:Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Reality 101: Getting Heard, Getting Seen, Getting Signed: Pursuing a Career in the New Music Business 2008 and Beyondwith Bobby Borg – Midway Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor)Are You Ready For That Big Recording Deal? Do you understand what getting signed really means? Do you want to find out how to leverage your career to get what you want? YES? Then this course is for you! Taught by a professional musician-for musicians. Learn invaluable tips for pursuing a successful career in music that only someone who's lived THROUGH IT can reveal. “Real-Life Stories” and in-class “Song Critique Sessions” enhance this presentation making it a true eye-opener. Bring your CDs and get heard!
  • Getting to the Next Level: The Top Three Songwriting Tools the Pros Usewith Jason Blume – Logan Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Learn these three concrete tools to make your songs “WOW!” - An AMAZING melody technique (no instrument required); A powerful tool to make your listeners FEEL the emotion behind your lyric; The key to demos that DEMOnstrate the potentials of your songs (or you as an artist).
  • The Nuts and Bolts of Artist Managementwith Karl Louis, Rob “Blasko” Nicholson and Chris “Hot Rod” Long – LaGuardia Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor)Are you ready to take your career to the next level? If so, an artist manager is essential to your needs. As an artist, your main concern should be writing and performing your music. A good manager will handle all other aspects of the music business for you. In this class, take the time to learn when to hire a manager, what a manager can do for you, and numerous other topics related to the artist manager and their involvement in your career.
  • Song Session with Steve Seskin and Pat Pattison - Kennedy Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Steve Seskin and Pat Pattison, using a Master Class format, will listen to participants' songs, using them as fodder to talk about process and a host of writing and rewriting issues. They will work with each writer (playing live), making each song as strong as possible.
  • Recording 101 – A Conversation (4:30pm – 5:10pm)with Phil Gates/Roland – The Theatre (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor)Phil Gates knows you have questions. He’s got answers. Learn about recording, yet feel free to bring questions. Find out why this works, or that doesn’t. No questions? Sit back and listen. Some gems will avail themselves, we’re sure.

Immediately following this class will be:

Songwriting Production for Success (5:20pm – 6:00pm)with Craig Jones/Roland – The Theatre (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Craig Jones has a knack for songwriting. As a Nashville songwriter, Craig can show you as a guitarist or keyboardist, great production techniques to get your best demo ever.

  • Pitching Your Songs Correctly to TAXI Listingswith Dude McLean – Sea-Tac Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Have you ever been told by screeners that your song doesn’t fit the listing you are pitching to? Dude will help you understand the terminology used within the listings so that you can you bust through what it is really saying and avoid miscasting your songs. He will help you zero in on specific “buzz” words often used to set the tone of a listing and from there you will learn to better interpret what type of opportunities you should and shouldn’t be submitting to. This important class can lead you in the direction of getting more Forwards and less Returns.

6:15pm – 7:15pm: Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Advanced Record Production with Rob Chiarelli (with special guests Ron Harris and Christine Wu) – The Theatre (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Rob will tell you his hit-making tips & techniques that will make your project sound like a finished record; modern recording techniques, using plug-ins, recording vocals, drums, instruments & mixing; and working with artists, writers, A&R execs, producers, engineers, etc. Don’t miss this class as Rob will be bringing some very special classic multi-track masters – very rare, once in a lifetime kind of stuff!

Saturday, November 8th

9:00am – 10:30am:Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis.

  • Melody Master Classwith Jason Blume – Lindberg A Room (Lobby Level / 1st floor)Create melodies listeners CAN’T forget, publishers want to publish, audiences want to buy – and artists want to sing. Fifteen non-technical, concrete, easy-to-master tools to take your melodies to the next level. You’ll never look at melody the same way. No knowledge of music theory or ability to play an instrument required for this class – OR TO WRITE HITS!
  • How To Market Your CD and Create a Buzz: Putting Together A Marketing Plan of Attackwith Bobby Borg – Lindberg B Room (Lobby Level / 1st floor)Want to get to that next level of your career? In this class you’ll learn step-by-step tips essential in putting together and initiating your own “Marketing Plan of Attack.” And if money is tight, we’ll do this from the perspective of having a “Zero To Limited Dollar Budget!” In-class marketing exercises and CD listening sessions make this course fast-paced, interactive session, and highly motivating. Make no mistake: Having no plan is like planning to fail! Having a plan, and failing to execute it, is equally as damaging. Bring your CDs!
  • The Blueprint for Music Successwith John Battaglia – Midway Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Many artists want to succeed, but few have a concrete plan in every area for their success. Just because you have talent doesn’t mean that you will be a natural in presenting yourself, attracting industry attention and making money from those talents. Join John Battaglia as he shares the steps that every artist must know to build up their fan base and increase their chances for success. Learn how to have your live performance blow people away; create your own unique look; portray yourself to the media in the most compelling way; attract the right team around you and much more!
  • How to Record Vocals Like A Studio Acewith Fett – Logan Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) At the end of the day, the most important element in a recording is the vocal, yet many songwriters and artists don’t know how to effectively capture and produce vocals in the studio. In this class, Fett shows you the secrets that professional engineers and producers use to get killer lead and background vocal sounds in their recordings. Topics include proper mic selection and positioning, differences between male and female vocals, layering and doubling, correct placement of vocals in the mix, and proper use of vocal specific EQ, compression and effects. Includes live demonstrations, using real gear.
  • Breathing for Singerswith Steven Memel – LaGuardia Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Every singer knows how important the breath is to singing well. Yet for most of us, how to do it “correctly” and how to “make it work for your voice” remains a mystery. If you’re ready to solve that mystery, join vocal coach Steven Memel for this interactive workshop. This is not just theory. Everyone who wants to will do the exercises. So…dust off your diaphragms and get down to the business of learning how to breathe for singing.
  • Music Marketing Q&Awith Bob Baker, Derek Sivers and Ariel Hyatt – Kennedy Room (Mezzanine Level / 2nd Floor) Join the author of “Guerilla Music Marketing Handbook,” the founder of CD Baby and the owner of the premier online music PR firm for this open forum session. Get immediate answers to your most pressing music promotion questions.

Find out how to make impact with your music for the least amount of money. Learn the latest and most creative Internet promotion strategies. Get feedback on the best way to market your unique sound to the industry (and especially to fans) around the world.