ACADEMY
THE I.S.M. MUSIC PRODUCTION ACADEMY
THE I.S.M. MUSIC PRODUCTION ACADEMY IS A MUSIC PRODUCTION AND CREATIVE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAM, FORMED TO INSPIRE AND EDUCATE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS IN THE FUNDAMENTALS OF MUSIC COMPOSITION, PRODUCTION, SONG WRITING, AND ARTIST DEVELOPMENT - AIDING STUDENTS CREATIVITY AND EXPRESSION BY UTILIZING TODAY’S PROMINENT TOOLS OF MUSIC TECHNOLOGY - UTILIZING MODERN SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES TOWARDS A PROMISING JOURNEY IN MUSIC.
SMALL GROUP COURSES - TAUGHT BY ACTIVE ARTISTS / PRODUCERS WITH NOTABLE PRACTICES IN MUSIC & ART.
6-8 WEEK PROGRAMS - BEGINNER TO ADVANCED, SPECIFIED FOR ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS.
It was halfway through my first year as a para-educator when I realized my true passion for educating and mentoring. Though I’ve been coaching and training young athletes, as well as supervising and directing youth camps/clubs since I was 17, being a key part in a students daily goals and achievements revealed education was more than another job, but a commitment. Witnessing students grow into successful young adults is the most rewarding aspect to a mentor, and I look to continue encouraging and developing the youth though music creation, with the I.S.M. Music Production Academy.
The need for divergent promoted outlets for youth is essential. Just like traditional educational school systems, basic instrument lesson programs such as piano, violin, etc. can place boundaries on a students free expression. Limiting them to organically express themselves artistically and/or find their own “solution to the equation”. That’s the beauty of the ISM Music Production Academy - Providing students with the necessary technical skill to freely express themselves in the most popular, most effective tools within music technology. Educated and mentored by myself and other professionally active music creators.
Since I was 13 years old I dreamt and worked to become a professional music producer / recording artist. Growing up in a small city where music is viewed only as a hobby, I found myself placing my passion for art and music behind sports and athletics. Fact is there just wasn’t enough artistic programs for the youth, and unless you sought to play classical piano and/or violin you were left to find your own way towards a modern day career in music. This is what I SEE MELODY and the academy aims to change. Here sits an education, mentorship, and platform that is as cool and fun, as it is informative and valuable. Finally, a program that is truly created to benefit the contemporary music and art enthusiast.
- Zachary Watkins, Founder/Owner of I SEE MELODY
FOLLOW YOUR EAR
FIVE KEY SUBJECTS
I. FUNDAMENTAL THEORY
Remember, we’re here to free those trapped ideas into this beautiful world of sound and color… Let’s not get too bogged down on a theoretical approach that can seem like rocket engineering.
We’ll take the uncomplicated path through music theory, and provide a sturdy understanding of its core elements of: melody, harmony, and rhythm - helping students become better songwriters and composers. Specifically altered for the age and/or interest of each student.
III. SONGWRITING & COMPOSITION
Melody, “the song of the song”, is a tough characteristic to define. And the sound and color that vividly flow in and out of your mind can exit without any defined purpose or reason.
Owning a firm understanding of song structure will allow students to explore the music seen in their minds and create tangible product. Production that can be shared and enjoyed by friends, family, and fans.
IV. MUSIC PRODUCTION & ARRANGEMENT
“I just want to make beats.” Ok… cool. But lets not forget being a creator of music is MUCH past sliding pre-recorded samples into Garage Band.
Todays music technology is incredible. The DAW’s (Digital Audio Workstations) alone has allowed us to have a fully loaded studio at our fingertips. A fundamental knowledge of such, as well as the prominent tools used to utilize the DAW’s, will allow students to grow not only as music creators, but as engineers, composers, and artists.
II. MUSIC HISTORY
You can’t know where it’s going if you don’t know where it came from. Studying and understanding the history and culture of popular music can help you become a better songwriter, music producer, and or artist. Believe it or not, today’s music continues to recycle and reuse the founding styles, techniques, and sounds of the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and on.
In a fun, contemporary, hands on approach, we’ll take journeys through the origins of hip-hop, pop, rock, alternative, and more - Grasp an understanding of their principles - Leading you to compose and create better music.
V. ARTIST DEVELOPMENT
Being an independent artist in today’s market is tough. No longer can one simply “make good music” and succeed in this business. The fall of the major label means more hats to wear for the independent entrepreneur.
Branding, creating a professional EPK, signing up with a P.R.O. digital distribution, booking shows/tours, understanding sync & licensing, are just a few crucial aspects of artist development. The academy’s Artist Development course provides students with the major tools necessary for continuous growth as an artist.
THE ACADEMY PROGRAMS
BEGINNER • ADV. BEGINNER. GRADES 3-8The fundamental level program. Beginning with the essential tools needed to comprehend music theory, composition, and arrangement within the digital audio workstation (DAW). The undergraduate program is designed to meet the needs and comprehensive capacity of any novice music student, as well as develop the fundamental skills necessary for the road towards an inspired journey into music production. This is not your “elementary school - music specials” - The ISM Music Production Academy is a fresh/contemporary curriculum and instruction towards creating music professionally. Key subjects include: fundamental theory, production techniques, composition & songwriting, and artistic growth.
6 WEEK PROGRAM • 2 DAYS/WEEK (2 HR SESSIONS)
INTERMEDIATE • ADVANCED. GRADES 9-12The intermediate to advanced level program. The graduate program is designed to prepare I.S.M. undergrad graduates and/or competent music students on the path to become young professionals as music creators. A deeper dive into production, composition, and songwriters trains, this program also involves showcases and master classes by successful local musicians, engineers, and producers - As well as access to professional recording studios for instruction and recording. Although the curriculum of this program is designed for the middle to high school level, younger students who have proven their musical and technological abilities are encouraged to join.
8 WEEK PROGRAM • 2 DAYS/WEEK (2 HR SESSIONS)
ADVANCED. GRADES 11-12.
How cool would it be to work at a record label, representing and developing talented up-and-coming bands/artists? Yeah, we think so too. Introducing I SEE MELODY RECORDS: An artist development and music business program for promising, accomplished graduates of the ISM Music Production Academy, as well as specially selected artists/bands of the local community. Operated as an independent record label, the I SEE MELODY RECORDS program helps artists bridge the gap with the essential tools needed to approach a momentous career in music: Music business instruction, artist / tour management, artist EPK/website, social media marketing, digital/physical distribution, press release, contracts, licensing/sync, brand development, and more.
MORE DETAILS TO COME.
BEGINNER - ADVANCED. GRADES 3 - 12.
An exclusive hip-hop education, production, and performance program.
MORE DETAILS TO COME.
COURSES BEGIN SPRING SEMESTER 2025
SUMMER PROGRAMS
BEGINNER - INTERMEDIATE. GRADES 3-8
This fun, inspiring, fundamental beginner to intermediate summer program takes students through the process of forming, participating, and working as a member of a band or group. Students work together in teams on a positive structured trajectory from unsung to superstar. This program focuses on students creative skills such as: music, art, design, imagination, experimentation, brain storming and more - As well as team building skills such as: leadership, collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. From designing logos, gig posters, and stage design to composing and recording songs, making music videos, and performing on stage, “Look Ma, I’m In A Band” is an exciting team building program that teaches the fundamentals of creative arts - allowing young people to explore, experiment, and see their works emerge into existence.
