FAST TRACK: PLAYING CHORDS
1 Day Workshop
In this class, you will learn how to build and play any major or minor triad in its 3 inversions. All ages, all instruments.
FAST TRACK: POPULAR MUSIC THEORY & KEYBOARD SKILLS
3-6 Week Class
This class will cover building and playing scales on the piano, patterns we see in diatonic harmony, chord extensions, 7th chords, and strategies in voicing chords to accompany a vocal line. Prerequisite: Fast Track: Playing Chords
SONG ANALYSIS: CHARTING & ARRANGING
3-6 Week Class
In this class, we do lots of listening to popular tunes and examining them as templates. Students will learn to recognize patterns and notate them in ways that can clearly be communicated to all musicians. We will cover song form, lyric charts, leadsheets, tips in creating templates for arrangements, and simple notation for part-writing. All ages, all instruments.
GROUP SONGWRITING
1 Day Workshop
We share ideas and write together as a team. We’ll cover everything from the struggles of getting your ideas out to learning about song form, impactful topics and themes, lyric ideas, how to create melodies and the process of bringing all those elements together. One song in one sitting— a very real-world approach! Will be split into age-groups, all instruments.
GROUP SONGWRITING 2.0
3-6 Week Class
The first few weeks, we meet to share ideas and write two songs together as a team. We’ll cover everything from the struggles of getting your ideas out to learning about song form, impactful topics and themes, lyric ideas, how to create melodies and the process of bringing all those elements together. We’ll do lots of listening, analyzing and learning how to put our own ideas into the musical patterns we find. This course will involve discussions about chord progressions, harmonic structures and writing accompaniment with your main instrument. During the final weeks, we will record and produce the original songs! Will be split into age-groups, all instruments.
SOUNDTRAP SONGWRITER'S CLUB
6 Week Online Program, on your own time
Students will utilize the web-based Digital Audio Workstation, Soundtrap, to create and share ideas that can be edited and recorded remotely. Soundtrap provides a simple way to record and develop music ideas collaboratively on web or mobile. It gives the space to jam in one place - see who’s recording, vibe to ideas, discuss and react to them in real-time. Songs recorded over the course of the 6 weeks will be released on Spotify! All ages, all instruments.
PRODUCTION: BASICS OF GARAGE BAND
3-6 Week Class
Making your own recordings in GarageBand is easier than you think! In this class, you will learn the basics of using GarageBand on your Apple desktop, laptop, tablet- even your iPone! We will experiment with musical ideas in a simple step-by-step process— from the first step of setting up a project session to building tracks, recording and editing vocals, bouncing files and even how to use electronic and MIDI instruments. Mastering GarageBand software will empower any singer or aspiring producer to take the next step in their craft. This is a great DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) intro course for anyone interested in songwriting and/or working with more in-depth software programs like Logic X and Pro Tools. Will be split into age-groups, all instruments.
BODY INSTRUMENT: VOCAL ANATOMY
1 Day Workshop
In this workshop we learn to bring awareness to our bodies, as they house our instrument, in a series of stretches and breathing exercises. Students will learn about the anatomy of the voice, important terminology, and how that knowledge can help us improve our vocal health and vocal technique. All ages, vocalists.
MUSICAL THEATER MASTERCLASS
1 Day Masterclass
Students will prepare a musical theater piece to workshop with Tara in front of the class so that observers can learn in a real-time coaching setting. Main areas of focus are storytelling and belting technique. Will be split into age-groups, vocalists.
POP VOCAL MASTERCLASS
1 Day Masterclass
Students will prepare a contemporary song of any genre to workshop with Tara in front of the class so that observers can learn in a real-time coaching setting. Main areas of focus are style and dynamic performance techniques. Will be split into age-groups, vocalists.
ON-CAMERA ACTING
1 Day Workshop
This workshop will cover the basics of acting for camera, focusing on skills like staying within your frame, film and on-set terminology, differences in film versus stage, and audition monologue tips! Will be split into age-groups, all instruments.
ON-CAMERA ACTING 2.0
3-6 Week Class
This class will focus on on-camera acting techniques, character development, partner scene work, and audition monologue tips. Prerequisite: On-Camera Acting I. Will be split into age-groups, all instruments.
AUDITION MONOLOGUE WORKSHOP
Zoom > 1 Day Workshop
Hosted by Oklahoma City University BFA Acting graduate and working Chicago actor, Tierra Matthews, this workshop will allow students to get some real insight on nailing a "one-minute monologue" audition. Focuses on building characters, nuance, pacing, style, and building confidence so that you get the callback. Will be split into age-groups, all instruments.