Electronic Music Production

Explore the intersection of music, creativity and technology!

Summer Session: June 9 – August 11
Listening Party: August 21st

Turn screen time into productivity by switching gears from social media and video games to making original songs and learning new skills!

Electronic Music Production turns your child into a creative, confident producer who can create their own original tracks spanning all genres, sample their favorite songs, and use Ableton Live.

You’ll be sharing your child’s excitement when you hear what they create!

Unleash your child’s inner beat maker through EMP Private Lessons, Group Lessons, or Summer Camps.

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What Skills Will My Child Learn?

DAW Concepts

Learn how to use a Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) – a producer’s primary instrument.

Songwriting

Write beats, hooks, melodies, harmonies, and bass-lines and learn how they work together to tell a story.

Sound Design

Craft unique sounds with stunning detail that bring your song to life through movement and character.

Mixing

Engineer your song after it is written, designed, and arranged to make it sound as pleasing to the ear as possible.

Musicianship

Become a critical listener through an understanding of music theory fundamentals.

Arrangement

Build tension, climax, and excitement by learning the structure of a song.

Performance

Use hands-on instruments and controllers to reinterpret, layer, and manipulate musical ideas to become a performance pro.

Appreciation & History

Study the past, present, and future of Electronic Music Production.

Your Child Will…

🎶 Learn the core skills needed to create music

🎶 Receive hands-on learning (say goodbye to boring YouTube tutorials!)

🎶 Create original music & samples with Ableton Live

🎶 Make new friends

🎶 Build confidence

🎶 Discover new interests

🎶 Have fun!

Soundwave Scholars

Check out Soundwave Scholars, a series in which Electronic Music Production instructors Jason Cohen and Walsh Kunkel spotlight their students’ original tracks.

Read the blog posts to hear original music produced by our students, learn about their EMP experiences, and discover the process of making a song.

Read soundwave scholars

Frequently Asked Questions

What is electronic music?

Electronic music is a broad category of music that uses electronic instruments, computers, or other music technology to produce sound.

It encompasses a variety of styles, including hip-hop, drum and bass, techno, ambient, breakbeat, house, dubstep, EDM, and IDM.

You can also find electronic music in video game soundtracks, film scores, commercials, and pop music.

I'm not particularly into electronic music genres and I play traditional instruments. Would this class still be relevant for me?

Totally! While many students enjoy creating electronic music, the skills and techniques taught in the class are valuable for any musician, even those with no interest in electronic genres.

Here are some ways this class can benefit someone who isn’t into electronic music:

Learn how to record your instrument.
Discover how to layer multiple parts to create rich, complex compositions.
Create professional demos for bands to perform.
Learn to Program instruments to gain insights into various sounds and textures.
Gain a Deeper understanding of arrangement.
Aquire the ability to program drums, write melodies, chord progressions, basslines, come up with embellishments, and develop transitions.
Develop your tone and deepen your understanding of using audio effects to enhance your music.

What are some of the topics that will be covered? What is the goal of these classes?

Our program offers an in-depth exploration of various aspects of electronic music production, including digital audio workstation (DAW) software, idea creation, songwriting, sound design, arrangement, mixing, performance, musicianship, and music appreciation. You’ll engage in hands-on projects to create electronic music across different genres.

By the end of the semester, you’ll present an original composition at our Listening Party, where you can share your work with friends and family.

Key Concepts:

DAW Fundamentals
Idea Generation
Arrangement Techniques
Audio Recording Techniques
Drum Programming
Melody Fundamentals
Basic Harmony
Bass Line Creation
Effects Application
Automation
Sound Design
Mixing Techniques

Additional Goals for This Class:

Ignite Creativity
Empower students to produce their own music, overcoming any limitations they may face.

What is the duration of the classes and private lessons?

Group Classes: Weekly sessions of 90 minutes each for 15 weeks.

Private Lessons: Available in 30, 45, or 60-minute sessions. Hour-long lessons are recommended for optimal progress.

Who are these classes designed for, and what age groups are they suitable for? Would I benefit more from group classes or private lessons?

These classes are designed for anyone interested in creating their own music and exploring how to use music technology to achieve that goal.

Group Classes: Typically for ages 12 and up. We have made exceptions in the past, so please email Jason@stagesmusicarts.com to inquire. They are excellent for receiving feedback from peers, collaborating, being social, and exploring a variety of music genres.

Private Lessons: Available for all ages. They are ideal for students with specific goals or visions. They provide personalized attention and flexibility to meet individual needs. While many adults enjoy group classes, some may find one-on-one lessons more effective. These lessons are also well-suited for students with behavior issues, learning disabilities, or those needing extra support.

Is prior experience required before enrolling in a class?

Prior experience is not required. All students are welcome, regardless of experience.

Is it possible to skip a level if I already have experience?

We do allow students to skip levels if they have prior experience. Please reach out to Jason@stagesmusicarts.com for more information.

Do you offer online lessons or classes?

We currently offer online private one-on-one lessons and will be offering online group classes in the future.

Which digital audio workstation (DAW) will be used?

Ableton Live

Get your 30-Day Free Trial Ableton Live here.

Student discounts are available for 50% when you’re ready to purchase. Just provide the Stages Music Arts registration email and you’ll qualify for the discount. Click here for info

What is the process for enrolling in the Electronic Music Production classes?

To enroll, simply click one of the buttons on this page! For any specific inquiries, feel free to contact Jason@stagesmusicarts.com

Do I need to own specific equipment to join the classes? What essentials are required for practicing at home?

While having your own equipment can be advantageous, it’s not a requirement. Our classes are designed to accommodate a range of setups. We will guide you in using digital audio workstation software and assist you in getting started with the tools you already have.

You can find all of our gear recommendations here. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to jason@stagesmusicart.com.

What instruments are most valuable to learn for an aspiring Electronic Music Producer?

Studying any instrument alongside Electronic Music will strengthen your musicianship, musical vocabulary and boost creativity. Drums and Piano are particularly valuable instruments to learn if you aspire to be a music producer.

Drums: Learning drums will deepen your understanding of rhythm, which is essential for any instrument. It will also make you more adept at programming the complex nuances of drumming in your compositions.

Piano: Learning piano provides a solid grasp of harmony, melody, and the entire frequency spectrum. This foundational knowledge can be easily applied to any other instrument you choose to use in your compositions.

Is there a final event or showcase where students can present their work?

Yes, there is! The program culminates with a grand finale Listening Party in our stunning, acoustically superb Performance Hall. Students will have the opportunity to showcase their music and celebrate their achievements with friends and family.

I have more questions. Who do I contact?

You can email our Director of Electronic Music at Jason@Stagesmusicarts.com. If you’re ready to enroll you can email info@stagesmusicarts.com or call us at (443) 353-5300

Have additional questions?

Email us at info@stagesmusicarts.com, give us a call at 443-353-5300, or click the button below.

Request Info

What Parents Are Saying About Electronic Music Production:

Excellent

Based on 112 reviews

The Electronic Music Production program is the best!! Jason Cohen is so passionate about his teaching AND his programs it shows in his students work. My son has been doing this for four years and his music writing abilities have grown exponentially. Thank you Jason and Stages for having such a wonderful facility and offering a huge catalogue of music class choices.

Ksenia Makhmudova

Jason is a great teacher who can help you with both drumming and electronic music. He is a cool dude who will always greet you even when you don't take his classes!

Nathalie Savell

This place is top of the line! From the staff upon entry to the teachers and behind-the-scenes folks I’ve met, everyone seems to be having a great time and truly passionate about music education for kids. We love it! This is my daughter doing a cartwheel in the waiting area while her brother does his electronic music lesson.

Roxanne Smalkin

Our son has learned a lot -- and enjoyed -- both Electronic Music Production and drum lessons with Jason over the past 3 years.

Kathleen Harris

My child has been attending Stages on regular basis since 2021 and I cannot say enough good things about this school. The facility is top-notch, the employees are kind, understanding, and accommodating, the teachers are highly skilled and genuinely interested in the development of their students, and the band programs have instilled skills and confidence that have far surpassed my expectations.