Masterclass & Artist Residency
For the last 10 years I have been visiting colleges, music universities and some high schools teaching a masterclass. It developed while on tour when I realized I could be being of use to students by sharing my knowledge and experience. Typically I fly in on Sunday evening, meet with the staff and on Monday morning begin a week of interaction within the existing curriculum. I love the process because it changes per university. Topics covered are as diverse as songwriting, microphone placement in the recording studio, performance confidence techniques, Lennon & McCartney vs Rogers & Hammerstein, understanding metaphors, turning demos into complete masters, collaborating, preparing for the market place, trusting the muse, creating without ego, achieving mastery, etc. It goes on and on.
- Most importantly it meets the national music standards for composition, improvisation and performance.
- In line with the decline of creativity in American students.
- Aids in development of students’ self-confidence and communication.
- Deepens students’ understanding of the use of melodic and harmonic structures, and their use in communicating lyrical content.
- Writing lyrics helps to support proper use of language and understanding of poetic devices.
- Facilitates connection among educational disciplines – English/Language Arts and music.
- Discuss modern popular music and its historic and cultural roots.
- Facilitates connection among educational disciplines – history and music.
- Deepens understanding of how one musician influences another, and how art can reflect or influence society and culture.
- Perform original compositions.
- Students and I will have the opportunity to share our original compositions with one another.
- Facilitate discussion of performance techniques.
- Lecture on current trends in music, performance, and the industry.
- Debunk myths about recording industry,
- Share stories from experience with a diverse array of artists.