Your Song Short Course – October 12th

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Songwriting can be a daunting concept – putting your feelings and stories out into the world, performing them on stage, or pitching them to another artist to record and perform can be an intimidating process. This course is designed to teach songwriters multiple methods of expressing their ideas through lyrics and melody, allowing them to spark creativity at any time. Students will learn the basics of arranging chords and rhythms to complement their compositions, discover exercises used to spur ideas and break through writer’s block, and develop their own music. Audra Kubat, an award-winning and prolific songwriter who has recorded and performed her own original compositions for major labels, prestigious venues, and alongside national artists, will encourage students to create their own songs and perform in a showcase concert in DIME’s Underground venue at the end of the course.

Click here to register now!

For more information, please call 313-223-1600 or email info@dime-detroit.com

Beatmaking Theory Short Course – October 12th

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What are the building blocks of a beat? This course breaks down the elements of music that make listeners want to dance, bob their head, or sing along to an instrumental backing track. While exploring the basics of music production, recording, and beatmaking, students will also learn the concepts of sequencing drum beats, understanding different types of rhythm and subdivisions, creating chord progressions that add emotion to the music, and composing a catchy melody. Instructor Drew Schultz is a prolific drummer/producer/writer who has performed with artists including the Temptations and Aretha Franklin, and worked in audio production with artists including ?uestlove, Maurice White of Earth Wind & Fire, CeeLo Green, and more. His knowledge of instrumental music combined with his studio experience will give students a unique insight to beatmaking and production through the lens of musicianship and composition.

Click here to register now!

For more information, please call 313-223-1600 or email info@dime-detroit.com

Music Biz Basics Short Course – October 12th

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How does an artist forge a path from the recording studio to the top of the charts? This informative course will examine the basics of protecting songs and compositions through copyright, how songs and are placed and licensed to major artists, labels, films, television, and commercials, and how to get an artist or album noticed, heard, and promoted. Angela Watson, a label operator / manager / festival organizer / artistic director will share her experience from years of working with artists and events including Carl Craig, Movement / DEMF, and the J. Dilla Foundation. Whether you are an artist or bandleader hoping to guide your own projects to success, or an entrepreneur interested in working within the business side of music, this course will help to create a strong foundation of industry knowledge and understanding.

Click here to register now!

For more information, please call 313-223-1600 or email info@dime-detroit.com

Keys Concepts Short Course – October 12th

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Piano and keyboards are a dominant force in the worlds of composition, performance, and production, and this course is intended to open the door for students to begin understanding the concept of keys. Students will learn the basics of scales and chords, through which songwriters derive melodies and arrangements for songs of all genres. They will learn how keys fit into the pop music landscape, proper playing technique, and the building blocks of improvising chords, melodies, and riffs. Instructor DoRohn Gough has worked as keyboardist, musical director, and composer for artists including Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and Janet Jackson, and he is looking forward to bringing these experiences into the classroom for a truly modern course on a timeless instrument.

Click here to register now!

For more information, please call 313-223-1600 or email info@dime-detroit.com

Raise Your Voice Short Course – Oct 12th

Through this exciting short course, vocalists will improve and strengthen their singing technique, learn how to improvise riffs/runs and melodic ideas, understand microphone techniques that will allow them to get the most out of their voice, and concepts that will help performers command a stage and captivate an audience. Vocal instructor Liz Gray has coached students who have gone on to appear in Billboard Magazine, VH1, The Disney Channel, and sign major deals with talent agencies across the country. As a performer, Liz has sung everything from opera to rock, and she is excited to share her knowledge with up and coming singers and performing artists. This course will culminate in a live performance in DIME’s amazing Underground venue, where students will demonstrate the skills learned throughout the course on stage.

For more information or to register, please call 313-223-1600 or email info@dime-detroit.com

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Shara Nova Masterclass

Shara Nova comes to DIME for a very special masterclass on Friday September 16th from 1-3pm!

ABOUT Shara Nova:

Born in “The Diamond state” of Arkansas to a family of musical traveling evangelists, Shara Nova (formerly Worden) moved across America throughout her youth, then went on to study classical voice at The University of North Texas. After moving to New York City she assembled her chamber pop band, My Brightest Diamond in 2001, subsequently releasing four albums on Asthmatic Kitty Records. Nova has composed works for yMusic, Brooklyn Youth Chorus, Young New Yorkers’ Chorus, Brooklyn Rider, Nadia Sirota and Roomful of Teeth among others. Her baroque chamber p’opera “You Us We All” premiered in the US in October 2015 at BAM Next Wave Festival.

Many composers, songwriters and filmmakers have sought out Nova’s voice, including David Lang, David Byrne, The Decemberists, Bryce Dessner, Steve Mackey, Sarah Kirkland Snider, Jedi Mind Tricks, Sufjan Stevens and Matthew Barney. Nova is a Kresge Fellow, Knights Grant recipient and a United States Artist fellow.

This masterclass is free for students, $5 for guests.
For questions or more information, please call 313-223-1600 or email us at info@dime-detroit.comsharanova-elise-mccoys-conflicted-copy-2016-09-12

DIME Partners with MET Media

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To go alongside our academic partnership with Metropolitan State University of Denver, we would also like to announce a new relationship with MET Media, The Student Voice of MSU Denver. This multimedia campus organization includes:

The Metropolitan, MSU Denver’s student-run newspaper
KMET Radio, the student-run radio station
The Met Report, a weekly television broadcast produced for and by students of MSU Denver
Metrosphere, a monthly arts, lit and culture magazine
Noticiero TVMET, a Spanish-language student-run news program

MET Radio and DIME are working to develop DIME Sessions – Studio 313B hosted by DJ Dénouement aka. Dayna Himot. The radio program will include:

  • 60-minute DIME Sessions featuring DIME student artists and educators on Met Radio.
  • Artists spotlights, interviews, and features.
  • Weekly radio shows produced and hosted by DIME students and faculty from Detroit, but airing in Denver.

Audition today and be a part of this exciting new program! Get the full details on the DIME/MET Media partnership here.

DIME Sessions: Volume 2 – AVAILABLE NOW!

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The Detroit Institute of Music Education (DIME) is proud to announce the release of DIME Sessions: Volume 2 on Friday, June 24th. The album, produced by Original 1265 Recordings and distributed nationwide through Caroline Records, contains 12 tracks and is DIME’s second album featuring student artists. DIME Sessions: Volume 2 will be available via iTunes and CDs will be available at the DIME downtown location (1265 Griswold St. in Detroit).

The songs on DIME Sessions: Volume 2, each written, performed and produced by DIME students and staff, are an eclectic mix of alternative rock, folk, R&B and hip hop. The annual student compilation album showcases the high-level musicianship and professionalism of DIME’s students. DIME student Charles Charles Laster III, known as C3, remarked “Being able to record my track with industry professionals was an awesome experience,” and Matt Sauter of Adventures with Vultures added “Recording ‘Skies of Gold’ was an unreal experience. Getting the chance to record a song that means a lot to me with people who turned it into something special is something I’ll never forget.” Alison Wiercioch, second year BA Vocals student and lead singer of The Redwoods, stated, “We were excited to hear our finished product after how well our recording session went. Shep and Showtime (the producers) made the recording process fun and easygoing. Recording our song ‘Manton’ for the DIME album was overall a humbling and wonderful experience.”

“DIME Sessions: Volume 2 continues in the spirit of last year’s album and is a chance for our students to learn what it’s like to actually work in the professional music industry,” said Kevin Nixon, President of DIME and Original 1265 Recordings. “All of the submissions from students were very impressive, but had to be narrowed down by our A&R team. The finalists then went through pre-production, rehearsals, recording sessions, mixing and mastering. We have worked hard to create what we think is a quality album that shows off the diverse talents of our students and the range of genres that they are learning about during their studies at DIME. We hope that the album will gain traction nationwide when it is released this Friday, and give our students a chance to take their music even further.”

DIME SESSIONS: VOLUME 2 INCLUDES SONGS BY:

Ananias – Sally Bird
Adventures With Vultures – Skies Of Gold
C3 – U Don’t Know
The Redwoods – Manton
Muzikman ft Molly – Forever
Al’exist – En Time
Priess – Whatchu Know
Siva – Love Extinction
King KG – Destroy Us All
Mahogany Jones – Insight
Pizza and Feelings – Coming Around
Illumanation – Best of Luck

Fans can download the entire album on iTunes or purchase a CD at DIME or any DIME event for $10.00.