The Open Music Lab is pleased to announce a series of open workshops at Refuge Worldwide (Weserstr. 166) in April and May 2022.
We are inviting musicians, industry professionals and music experts to share their experience, specialist knowledge and inspirations, these free workshops will give participants a chance to learn directly from talented experts in an open, non-hierarchical space. Workshops are open to all, but with a particular focus on people from marginalised communities including refugees, asylum seekers, migrants, people of colour, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+ people.
Workshops details and application forms:
Monday 11th April, 6pm-8pm: Ambient Music Production with Ableton
Asa 808 - DJ, Producer and founder of queer collective TOYS - dives into the ambient possibilities of Ableton. As an experienced counsellor and expert on Refugee law, they offer this workshop both as a space to learn musical skills and a place for refugee artists to find advice about their rights in Berlin. Apply here.
Monday 25th April, 6pm-8pm: Introduction to Music Journalism
A practical introduction on how to pitch to publications, how to find editors' contacts and how to prepare a portfolio, including an exercise in writing your own pitch. Taught by Caroline Whiteley, a freelance writer, editor and creative strategist with ten years of experience at magazines like Crack Magazine, FACT, Resident Advisor, Vice and Telekom Electronic Beats, where she worked as an editor from 2019 until 2022. Apply here.
Monday 16th May, 6pm-8pm: Making Hip Hop Beats in Ableton Live
Producer, songwriter and experienced teacher Richard Barr (Wikihow Adventure Cruise) offers tips, techniques and guiding principles for making hip-hop beats, giving students a chance to try these out and bring their own questions and ideas to be discussed. Apply here.
Monday 23rd May, 6pm-8pm: Bookings and Artistic Development
Booker, DJ and one of OML’s core mentors Ophélie Kauffmann offers a presentation and open discussion on how to find your own style, grow as an artist, and try to find bookings. Coming from both a booker’s and an artist’s perspective, Ophélie presents a unique insider’s insight into some of the key aspects of working professionally in the music scene. Apply here.
Monday 30th May, 6pm-8pm: Musicality in Electronic Music Production
Taught by Greek DJ, accomplished multi-instrumentalist and producer Lee Burton, this workshop takes you through understanding tones, octaves and frequencies using basic music theory and creating a strong foundation for rhythm, composition, arrangement, sound design and mixing. Apply here.
Photo by Bethania Medina