IMSTA FESTA

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You’ve got the chorus. Now what?

Verses & Bridges: Making a Song from the Chorus is a songwriting masterclass focused on expanding a strong hook into a complete and emotionally satisfying song. Many writers start with the big idea — the chorus — but get stuck building the story, structure, and pacing around it. This session offers strategies to reverse-engineer your song, giving depth and development to the verses and bridges that lead to — and away from — your most powerful section.

Presenter: TBA

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In this workshop, you’ll learn how to choose the best space in your home, strategically position your speakers and instruments, and employ cost-effective acoustic treatments to enhance sound quality. Our expert instructor Chris Smout will guide you through practical techniques—from speaker placement and isolation pads to DIY solutions like heavy curtains and bookshelves—to create a balanced, inspiring environment for music production. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced musician, this class offers actionable tips to make your home studio work for you, no matter the acoustics.

Presenter: With over a decade of experience, Chris Smout specializes in designing professional-grade media spaces, from home studios to large-scale multimedia complexes worldwide. As part of The Studio People Ltd, he collaborates with emerging businesses, educational institutions, and industry-leading media companies, guiding projects from design to construction. Backed by an in-house team of designers, craftsmen, and construction experts, Chris helps turn creative visions into state-of-the-art studio environments.

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Overview: This master class offers an in-depth exploration of transforming your creative talents into a flourishing music business. It covers essential topics in business management, building a sustainable music career, and navigating the financial landscape of the industry—detailing various revenue streams and illustrating how to plant the seeds, nurture growth, and ultimately reap the rewards.

Presenter: John Woolf is a renowned music manager and industry powerhouse, known for his ability to shape the careers of some of the biggest names in music. With a career spanning over two decades, he has built a reputation for his strategic vision, sharp business acumen, and deep understanding of the entertainment landscape. His ability to cultivate talent, secure impactful partnerships, and maximize opportunities for his clients has solidified his position as one of the most sought-after managers in the business. As the CEO of A-List Management, Woolf has guided the careers of globally successful artists. He gained his initial success while managing grime pioneer Wiley, helping cement his legacy as one of the UK’s most influential artists. Today, Woolf manages an impressive and diverse roster that includes Kojey Radical, Elderbrook, Jake Gosling, TropKillaz, Arthur Bean, Show N Prove, KIDDO, Jessica Doolan and Harry Wills. His clients have been nominated for or won Grammy, BRIT, Ivor Novello, and Mercury Awards, and across the A-List Management roster, artists have contributed to five songs that have surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify. Woolf’s continued success reflects his ability to stay ahead of industry trends while maintaining a strong focus on artistic growth and commercial success.

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Overview: GRAMMY-Award Winning Engineer James Auwarter hosts this unique master class featuring two professional mixing engineers who will take the stage to mix tracks live—on the fly—in front of an audience. With no pre-set sessions, this real-time demonstration will showcase each engineer’s raw workflow, creative choices, and decision-making under pressure. As host, James will guide the session, highlighting key techniques, asking insightful questions, and drawing out the unique approaches of each mixer. Attendees will walk away with practical tips, inspiration, and a rare look into how top engineers craft a mix in the moment.

Presenter: GRAMMY® Award-winning Engineer James Auwarter, owner of Coda Room Audio, has recorded, mixed and mastered music across countless genres. With credits on 32 GRAMMY®- nominated projects, he has worked alongside notable artists such as Kanye West, Lupe Fiasco, Rihanna and more. After more than two decades in the industry, Auwarter knows exactly what it takes to craft a successful track or album.

Register here.