IMC 2011 L.A. Educational Agenda, Fri Oct. 21 – Sun Oct. 23 @ Musician’s Institute, in Hollywood

Updated: 10/13/2011 at 7:50pm

Our many Panelists, Mentors and Workshop presenters will be making the IMC a highly effective learning opportunity. IMC/LA is a three day event that’s packed with great workshops, panels, mentor sessions, and networking opportunities. THIS AGENDA IS IN A VERY ROUGH STAGE. UPDATES AND CHANGES WILL BE MADE FREQUENTLY – CHECK BACK OFTEN.

INDUSTRY INSTRUCTORS SO FAR:

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Laurie Anderson (SoundExchange)

Bernard Baur (Musicians Institute)

Bobby Borg (Music Business consultant, author

Emiko E. Carlin (President, The 6412 Ltd.)

Antoine Carter (Project Manager- Pro Music Records)

Anne Cecere (BMI)

Annette Conlon (NetteRadio.com)

Kevin Day (Rocket Science Records)

Alex Del Zoppo (Sweetwater – first band to perform at Woodstock ’69!)

Ritch Esra (Music Business Registry)

Elisabeth Howard (Vocal coach – STING and the Police; founder, Vocal Power Method)

Shannon Hurley (Lovers & Poets)

Keri Kelsey (Singer/Actress)

Toni Koch (Pitch-A-Song / COSMO Marketing/PR)

Judy Lamppu (Coalition of Songwriter & Music Organizations)

Anthony Lawrence (Rockhouse Method)

Steven Leavitt (Producer)

Joanne Ledesma (Publisher/Placements)

Sindee Levin (Entertainment Attorney)

Jan Linder Koda (Artist Development Producer)

Mandi Martin (Producer)

Steven Memel (Vocal Instructor)

Les Michaels (Cabaret)

Matthew Moran (Songwriter, Technology Consultant, Author)

Bill Pere (CT Songwriters Assoc.)

Kay Pere (Vocal Instructor

Susan Rabin (Law Offices of Susan Rabin)

Noel Ramos (Artist, Advocate, IMC Director)

Marty Rifkin (Producer- Mariah Carey)

Robbie Rist (Actor/Musician)

Damien Ritter (Yowie)

Chip Schutzman (Miles High Productions, Dolly Parton)

Alan Roy Scott (Songwriter for Celine Dion, Luther Vandross, Notorious B.I.G.)

Steve Scott (Coalition of Songwriter & Music Organizations)

Joe Solo (Producer/Songwriter for Macy Gray, Fergie)

Vladimir Vukicevic (CTO & Co-Founder, Rockethub.com)

Jay Warsinske (Founder & CEO, Indiepower.com)

Loren Weisman (Music Producer – Author – Speaker)

Jimi Yamagishi (Songnet)

Randy Young (Cherry Suede)

Billy Zero (Chemistry Management)

Emily Zuzik (Singer/songwriter/collaborator – Moby)

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IMC2011 – EDUCATIONAL AGENDA

Our many Panelists, Mentors and Workshop presenters will be making the IMC a highly effective learning opportunity. IMC/LA is a three day event that’s packed with great workshops, panels, mentor sessions, and networking opportunities. THIS AGENDA IS FINAL, HOWEVER UPDATES AND CHANGES MAY STILL OCCUR AT THE EVENT – but you should use it to plan your time at the IMC to make the most of it. Watch for duplicated workshops, they have been scheduled more than once to help you avoid conflicts. Check at the Registration table if you have any questions about the schedule.

DAILY MENTOR SESSIONS: Bill Pere, Kay Pere, Toni Koch, Jan Linder Koda, Bernard Baur, Matthew Moran, Steven Memel, Joe Solo, Mandi Martin, Bobby Borg, Alex DelZoppo, Emily Zuzik, Antoine Carter, Emiko E. Carlin, Joanne Ledesma, Kevin Day, Steven Leavitt, Others TBA

Mentors will sit with an artist or a band for 20 minutes and give you their undivided attention. Let them hear a bit of your music, ask them specific questions or seek detailed advice about something they may have brought up during a panel… Mentoring is a HIGHLY EFFECTIVE usage of your time at IMC so take full advantage of your chance to sit one-on-one with our industry instructors.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 • Pig ‘n Whistle, 6714 Hollywood Boulevard

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7:00-10:00pm • IMC KICKOFF PARTY, sponsored by COSMO, Civil Defense Music & ASCAP. An informal get-together for everyone already in town. Join us for drinks, lots of networking and performances by awesome IMC artists including The Conlons, J Clark Webber and Lovers and Poets. Meet us at Pig ‘n Whistle, just a few doors down from MI, at 7pm. Bring your business cards! Contact us to RSVP: IMC2011@InterMixx.com

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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 • All workshops today will be in Room #201

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10:00-12:00 • PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP: Once More With Feeling :: In this 2-hour workshop, Jan Linder-Koda will teach performers how to use powerful acting techniques to tap into the deep emotional feelings needed to be a great storyteller. Jan will demonstrate with several artists; if you would like to participate, please bring instruments, tracks and lyric sheets. You need not be a performer to benefit from this experience. Jan Linder-Koda is a Grammy nominated singer/songwriter who has worked with 20 Grammy winners.

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12:00-1:00 • WORKSHOP: Your Music: Pitch, Pass or Place? What was the Question? – Toni Koch leads an intensive interactive workshop on how to promote, market and distribute yourself, creatively introduce your music to placement pros and be an “unforgettable” artist, songwriter or performer. With nearly 30 years of music business experience as well as being one of the first indie artist music journalists, record store manager and club promoter in the 80s, Toni will share “Tips for Managing a Motivated Marketing Team,” which offers songwriters reasons for and against being your own manager, producer or business agent. Through Pitch-A-Song, the Coalition of Songwriter & Music Organizations (COSMO) has succeeded where many other larger “pitch sessions” have not in getting the music directly in the hands of people ready to clear it immediately if it fits. Steve Scott, (Pres.) and Judy Lamppu, (VP) of COSMO, will join Toni to share decades of expertise on why some songs are selected and others are not. What is “broadcast quality” and is “my demo good enough?” Attendees can bring a song on CD or play acoustically for us to hear and give quick “pitch, pass or place” comments. This workshop includes a hand-out featuring our faculty of Pitch-A-Song Industry Reps you can contact if your music is viable for “pitching” and has clearance. Throughout the workshop, attendees will become more confident, be inspired as well as challenged and encouraged to pursue their dreams.

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1:30-2:30 • WORKSHOP: Don’t Waste Your Time: The Ugly Truth About Social Media :: Matthew Moran

Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Foursquare, LinkedIn, and whatever the site of the week is… You are being told you NEED to engage with fans on Social Media but given the options and limited time, where should you be putting your efforts. Also, what tools make a real difference in extending your brand and reaching new listeners. The workshop provides a tangible, no-nonsense, hype-removed approach to the tools available for engaging on social media and beyond. Provided by a working songwriter and from an artist-to-artist perspective, you will learn: A doable 7 Step-Roadmap for Online Presence, 5 Technologies you cannot do without, How to minimize time but maximize effectiveness of online engagement.Xxxxxx

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2:30-3:30 • Partnering With the Nonprofit Sector: How to do Successful Benefits that Pay You Fairly: WORKSHOP (Bill Pere)

Non-profit does not mean no-profit. Music has great power to move people to act. When effectively harnessed, an artist can significantly enhance their audience size, reach, cd sales, and income, while also effecting positive social change. Through selective partnerships with the nonprofit sector, artists can develop a following of stakeholders and partners in success, in addition to just fans. This workshop presents tried and true techniques for presenting benefit events which will (a) to expand the reach of your music, (b) cultivate new and loyal following, (c) increase merchandise sales, and (d) have their music and message make a difference in some aspect of our society. The techniques presented here have been used by Bill to raise almost $1,000,000 through his shows.

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3:30-4:30 • PANEL: Priorities – Art vs. Commerce :: Noel Ramos (Moderator), Kay Pere, Joe Solo, Steven Memel, Bobby Borg, Alex DelZoppo, Emily Zuzik, Emiko E. Carlin

Should an artist just make art? Why is it important for a musician to hone their business skills? Just how valuable are leadership skills, managerial skills, accounting knowledge, time management etc.? This Panel will discuss these topics as well as ideas and solutions for maintaining a more well-rounded view of your entrepreneurial efforts.

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4:30-5:30 • WORKSHOP: Independent Music 101 :: Attorney Sindee Levin will teach this important workshop on business basics from a legal standpoint. How to set up a company for your music, how to craft a simple band agreement, what should be in writing from the very start, how to avoid legal confusion down the road, what to do when someone wants you to sign a contract, what to look for in the “fine print,” copyright concerns, typical legal terms that often cause confusion, what sort of deal should you expect with Producers, Managers, etc…

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5:30-6:30 • PANEL: Beware Business Bureau :: Noel Ramos (Moderator), Bill Pere, Others TBA We have all heard too many horror stories about rip-offs and scams in the music business. This Panel will discuss concerns and solutions, as well as techniques you can use to try to minimize your chances of getting stung.

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8:00 • NIGHTTIME SHOWS! Join us in Room 145 at 8pm for IMC Artist Performances! Special thanks to Musicians Institute and Mugoto.com for providing backline and sound production!

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SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22 • All workshops today will be in Room #155 unless otherwise noted

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10:00-11:00 • The 8 Keys to Success in the Music Business: WORKSHOP (Bill Pere)

The music industry is first and foremost a people-driven business, Success is based on networking and personal relationships. In taking a song from creation to realization, there are many roles that must be filled, and skills which must be brought to bear. Understanding how a person prefers to take in information, make decisions, and communicate with others gives you an immeasurable advantage in negotiation, selling, collaborating, and working as part of a group.

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11:00-12:00 • WORKSHOP: The Psychology of Producing Hit Songs :: Producer/Songwriter Joe Solo (Macy Gray, Fergie) will discuss the role that production and presentation play in the perception of a song. He will emphasize the human aspects of music production, illustrated with before & after examples. Audience members are encouraged to bring their material for an on-the-spot critique.

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12:00-2:00 * PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP: The Science of Switching On :: Steven Memel

Steven will teach this incredibly effective and intense 2 hour workshop integrating vocal technique and performance skills. Bring your onstage performance to a whole new level. Not just for singers! Any performer can benefit by watching and/or participating in Steven’s workshop.

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1:00-2:00 • “Crowdfunding, The new Independent Music Business Model?” PANEL: (Moderator: Noel Ramos, Vlad Vukicevic, Billy Zero, Bernard Baur, Emiko E. Carlin, Antoine Carter)

You may have heard of websites like Kickstarter.com, where indie artists are raising large sums of money to fund their careers. Ben Hardt just raised $10,000, Kristin Diable raised $15,083 from only 114 backers, and in only 53 days, Jill Sobule raised a whopping $75,000 through fan donations in order to produce, manufacture, distribute and promote her recent studio album. Can “fanfunding” work for you too? What does it take to finance an independent music career in this brave new market? What works and what doesn’t work when trying to raise capital from your fans? Listen to artists who have done it, Managers who have helped make it happen, and industry people who feel it may be the future of the independent music model. Discuss your current crowdfunding efforts or find out more about the topic if you plan to try it next year.

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2:00-3:00 • PANEL: Indie Artist Development = Bigfoot? :: Jan Linder Koda (Moderator), Mandi Martin, Matthew Moran, Joe Solo, Ritch Esra, Bernard Baur, Toni Koch, Joanne Ledesma- ROOM #160

Does the concept even exist? Is there any real artist development in the new independent music market and if so, what form is it taking? Who is offering it, and how are they succeeding? What should an artist look for, and look out for in this very uncertain area? This Panel will address these questions and more.

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2:00-3:00 • WORKSHOP: Independent Music Business Plan :: Stephen Scott will teach a must-attend workshop on putting together a business plan for your independent music business. Stephen will explain why a business plan is important, what subjects should be covered and in what order. He will address some of the common trouble spots and offer solutions. A well crafted business plan covers subjects such as marketing and financial structure. Stephen will also address aspects of creating a marketing plan, and we the basic structure and information called for in the financing section of the plan. This workshop includes a hand-out featuring a course summary and notes section.

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3:00-4:00 • The Performing Songwriter’s Paint Box – Vocal Workshop: WORKSHOP (Kay Pere)

Unlock all the colors of your voice. Techniques to release the unique expressive palate of each song. Tools to create a vivid experience for your audience no matter what your style. Learn specific vocal and songwriting techniques which will bring you attention as a Performing Artist. Producers and vocal coaches working to encourage vocal artistry on stage and in the studio will also find value in the distinctive approach offered by this workshop. Learn to control the nuances of enunciation and vocal coloration that will make your songs carry your message most effectively.

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4:00-5:00 • PANEL: Producers Panel :: Jan Linder Koda (Moderator), Mandi Martin, Joe Solo, Joanne Ledesma, Steven Leavitt, Others TBA (Please contact me to be included on this or any Panel)

Now that there are no big record deals, how do you get your music produced?

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4:00-5:00 • Tripling Your Audience with Targeted Songwriting: SEMINAR (Bill Pere) ROOM #160

Are you reaching only 30% of your potential audience? The other untapped 70% is only a few key words away. You do not have to sacrifice artistic integrity to reach a wider fan base. You just need to know some of the central factors in effective lyrical communication, and then decide how you want to apply them. The difference between songs that are liked and remembered by broad and diverse audiences as opposed to those that have a narrow following lies in a few easily applied techniques and an understanding of how people prefer to give and receive information. This workshop, based on Bill’s internationally used “Songcrafters’ Coloring Book”, provides practical application of the information presented in The 8 Keys to Success in the Music Industry” and is an effective followup to that presentation.

Instructor, Bill Pere was named one of the Top 50 Innovators and Guiding Lights of the Music Industry by Music Connection Magazine. He is the author of the internationally acclaimed Songcrafters’ Coloring Book: The Essential Guide to Effective and Successful Songwriting and has released 16 original CDs, and several for other artists. Bill is President of the Connecticut Songwriters Association, and his benefit concerts have raised almost $1,000,000 for charities.

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5:00-6:00 • Your Creative Compass: How to Achieve Sustainable Creativity in a Busy Life: WORKSHOP (Kay Pere)

We often focus on learning the business of music and craft of songwriting, but it is important not to overlook the wellspring from which it all comes – our creativity and inspiration. Sometimes it seems difficult to find inspiration, to try something new, or to just have the time to create amidst the demands of a busy schedule. This workshop will address these issues and provide practical tools and strategies for insuring that your creative self never disappears under a heap of day to day demands on your time. You’ll learn ways to deal with writers block, finding subjects to write about, making the time to write and be creative, how to separate pure creative flow from analytical crafting.

Instructor, Kay Pere is a multi-dimensional music educator, performing songwriter and social activist, whose creative work embodies a message of hope, healing and humanity. Kay enjoys a wide reputation as one of the premier vocal instructors in the Northeast. In this capacity, she has presented vocal workshops for the Garde Institute for Creativity, the Connecticut Songwriting and Performance Conference, the New England Music Expo, Seattle Songwriters Workshop, and IMCs in Philadelphia, Charleston, and Dallas. She has been the official vocal coach for several multi-state competitions. Kay delivers fresh piano propelled Folk/Pop with soaring melodies, innovative chordal harmonies, and well-crafted lyrics in performances across the US and Canada. She is Associate Director of Local United Network to Combat Hunger (LUNCH) and a Director of the Connecticut Songwriters Association. Kay’s CD, “Even Better Than Chocolate”, described in the press as having the “comforting power of a steamy cup of cocoa and cream — minus the calories, ” was recorded in Nashville with Grammy award winning engineer and producer Michael Hopkins.

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8:00 • NIGHTTIME SHOWS! Join us in Room 145 at 8pm for IMC Artist Performances! Special thanks to Musicians Institute and Mugoto.com for providing backline and sound production!

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SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23 • All workshops today will be in Room #155 unless otherwise noted

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10:00-11:00 • Lost Luggage: How Bad Metadata Cost the Industry Suitcases of Cash: WORKSHOP (Laura Williams)

The digital music economy counts revenue in fractions of pennies, which means you’ll have to conquer the metadata monster to make sure every cent gets back to you. Take a peek at the billions of data points – from who played on what track to who owns the rights – that ultimately determine how much recognition, credit, and cash ultimately goes to the artist. Learn what we can each do: digital aggregators, distribution services, artists, copyright holders, and the whole music community, to take on the complex challenges of the industry’s metadata crisis.

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11:00-12:00 • PANEL: Do Promoters Really Promote? :: Noel Ramos (Moderator), Toni Koch, Matthew Moran, Annette Conlon, Antoine Carter, Joanne Ledesma – A Panel Discussion about bookers who don’t promote the shows they present. How can you draw more fans to your gigs if you’ve tried everything you can think of? Instead of thinking “outside the box,” realize there is no box! In this panel, artists and industry will brainstorm ideas and solutions to the ever-more-difficult task of promotion.

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12:00-1:00 • WORKSHOP: Making Money Making Music :: Emiko E. Carlin

This workshop is focused on addressing the balancing act that most artists have to endure when they want to be profitable in the DIY world. Discussion points include: clear vision and mission statement, understanding how you come across in business, position yourself effectively and appropriately, assessing and understanding where you are in your career map (or creating a career map if you don’t already have one), organizing your goals so they have a productive and profitable domino effect, understanding and highlighting your value as an artist, understanding, accepting, and overcoming certain aspects of the business side that are “not so pretty,” accepting realities of the music industry, how to balance the creative and commercial effectively, Time management, emotional management and being proud of being able to do both, putting together the RIGHT team of people, leadership and communication skills, and more!

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1:00-2:00 • PANEL: Energy Bonding :: Noel Ramos (Moderator), Toni Koch, Matthew Moran, Steven Memel, Annette Conlon, Emily Zuzik – A Panel Discussion about the relationship between the audience and the artists. Bands get hired to bring the party, no matter how many people are in the room. But what if you’re the type of performer who needs a crowd to get you going? Is it a case of chicken or the egg? How do you put on the same high energy show consistently, whether there’s 5 people or 500?

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2:00-3:00 • PANEL: Myth or Truth – Are Musicians Really Bad Businesspeople? :: Noel Ramos (Moderator), Matthew Moran, Joe Solo, Bobby Borg, Alex DelZoppo, Emiko E. Carlin, Antoine Carter, Joanne Ledesma

Perhaps surprisingly, many industry members still labor under the misconception that the more talented an artist is, the less capable they are as a business person. This Panel consists of a group of industry people who think it’s time to do away with this myth once and for all. Both sides of the issue will be examined and discussed, with a focus on the harm that is created when a stereotype such as this becomes so prevalent.

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3:00-4:00 • PERFORMANCE WORKSHOP: How To Be Unforgettable :: Stephen Scott will moderate this panel of performance experts, (Steven Memel, Elisabeth Howard, Keri Kelsey) and will teach a workshop on improving your live performances, better interacting with an audience and creating a memorable live show. The instructors are national and internationally recognized vocal and performance coaches, as well as experts in staging and cabaret/club performance dynamics. This is an opportunity for songwriter/performers to get some professional tips and techniques that will elevate and ignite your performance.

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4:00-5:00 • PRO – What You Need To Know: WORKSHOP (Laura Anderson)

Are Performance Rights Organizations all the same? What do they do, and do you need one? From basic principles to advanced knowledge, we’ll examine the modern P.R.O.s from a practical perspective. Interactive and question driven, this workshop will cover need-to-know info on copyright, licensing and metadata. Listen for special info on the Performance Right Act – a bill in Congress which would finally let you get paid when your work is played on AM/FM radio.

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5:00-6:00 • WORKSHOP: Independent Artists and Marketing in the Digital Age :: Chip Schutzman

In this one hour workshop, Chip Schutzman of Miles High Productions will give artists some tips of the trade of how to be their own marketing and promotions team by using social marketing techniques and providing tips on how to maximize their website. Artists will learn the basics of digital and social media marketing and how to harness the internet to their advantage.

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The Independent Music Conference • 2010

Clarion Hotel

1 Atwood Drive • Northampton, MA