There is no limit to what students experience at DIME Detroit during the four years they study at the school that develops professionals who are ready for a sustained career in the music industry.
A look at a typical week is invigorating – and exhausting – if students take advantage of all DIME offers.
“You never want to miss a day down here,” said Will Daniels, a drum student. “There’s always something going on, something that’s going to help you make a career and build a portfolio.”
“You don’t know who’s going to stop by or what might pop up. That’s why, mostly, you’ll see everyone hanging around even when they don’t have class that day.”
Stop and think about that.
How many college students are heading to their respective schools on days they are otherwise free to spend as they wish?
At DIME, it’s commonplace.
Here’s a snapshot of one week at DIME Detroit in early March, 2017:
Monday through Friday: Of course, students attend classes. There are individual and group performance classes for vocalists, guitarists, bassists, and drummers. There is one-on-one guidance and songwriting instruction; impromptu jam sessions in common areas; discussions about how business, marketing, law and copyright relate to the music industry.
Thursday night: DIME’s on-site music venue, which is named The Underground @ DIME, hosts a free event called Turntable Thursday that brings in Detroit-area DJ’s in an effort to cultivate the music scene of all genres in Southeast Michigan. Other Thursday evening events include DIME Presents, which features local bands and acoustic artists, and even a Hip Hop night. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the performances start at 7 p.m.
Friday: Kern Brantley, a Detroit legend and veteran of A-list international tours, visits the Underground for a masterclass that informs and educates DIME students about how to land professional gigs. Brantley is a bass guitarist and musical director who has worked and toured with Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Young Jeezy, and Jay Z. In the two-hour session he shares how he got started and how aspiring musicians can launch their own careers.
Saturday: It’s time for another show as three Michigan-based bands enter the Underground for live performances. The concert features two alternative/punk rock bands hailing from Grand Rapids and the third from Livonia.
Sunday: Rest and then repeat.

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By Allye Gaietto

Detroit is right in DIME’s name because we couldn’t be more proud to call this city our home. Here are some reasons to make it yours, too!

1. Rent is (relatively) cheap.

On a small budget, anything that costs more than free can seem like a stretch, but when compared to other cities of similar size, Detroit’s rent decidedly qualifies as cheap. Better deals can be found by moving a little further outside of the downtown area and commuting (luckily, a parking pass is included in DIME tuition!) but downtown living is not totally out of a student’s price range, especially with a roommate or two.

2. We have great food.

Detroit was named the best “unexpected” city for food in North America by National Geographic. Detroiters totally expected it, though. Get your Lafayette Coney Dogs steps from DIME’s campus (American lovers, rethink your life choices) or take a quick hop to close-by neighborhoods for food from all over the world. You can find excellent spots for Middle Eastern, Thai, Polish, Greek and Mexican cuisine all within a few minutes from DIME, whether you’re walking or driving. You can also find fresh, local ingredients to cook at home at Eastern Market, the largest historic public market district in the United States.

A man plays saxophone at Eastern Market; image from the Huffington Post

3. Our public art is mind-blowing.

Public art is everywhere in Detroit. From sweeping murals on downtown high-rises, to a major street turned into an art district, visitors and residents alike are constantly met with incredible surprises. Some of the best hotspots for street art in the city are within a five-minute drive from DIME, including Lincoln Street Art Park, the Eastern Market district, and the Grand River Creative Corridor. If you’re looking for a bigger adventure, check out this list of must-see pieces from the Free Press.

A dinosaur made of found objects at Lincoln Street Art Park; image from chosenbythefunk.com

4. There are tons of weekend vacay options.

This is less about what’s in Detroit, and more about what’s around it, but I’m willing to make the exception if you are. Detroit’s surroundings are part of its appeal. There are some awesome parks in the city – Belle Isle picnics, anyone? – but if you want to get into nature without a skyline in sight, there are plenty of places within a three hour drive, especially since we’re so close to four out of five of the Great Lakes. Check out Port Austin at the tip of Michigan’s “thumb” for Instagram-worthy rock formations (2.5 hour drive), find your passport and head to Ontario’s beautiful Point Pelee National Park (1 hour drive), or make the trip across the state to my hometown of Muskegon (3 hour drive) to hike the sand dunes at Hoffmaster State Park. If those don’t strike your fancy, check out this list of great road trips starting from Detroit.

Turnip Rock in Port Austin, MI; image from portaustinkayak.com

5. The music scene!

No list about Detroit is complete without mentioning its music. With newer venues like El Club and Marble Bar, long-standing dives like PJ’s Lager House and Small’s, and historic beauties like the Fillmore and Cliff Bell’s, there is something for everyone. There are too many great venues and bands to list here, and we haven’t even gotten to the festivals! There’s always something to listen to in Detroit, and there are tons of options for cool places to listen.

And, finally…

6. DIME students are here!

Okay, this is a bonus. But our students at DIME are making Detroit a cooler, better, more musical city every day, so there was no way I could leave them out.

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