NYC Event Alert: Songwriting & Production Masterclass – Power Station at BerkleeNYC, 3/10

Following a landmark deal to keep New York City’s flagship studio operational, Power Station at BerkleeNYC (formerly Avatar Studios) is embarking on its academic mission.

It’s first-ever educational program will take place this Saturday, March 10^th, with a Songwriting & Production Masterclass. A day-long intensive, it will be conducted by Stephen Webber, executive director of BerkleeNYC, and Pat Pattison, Berklee professor of songwriting and poetry. Unfolding from 9:30 AM – 4 PM, the cost is $250 to attend.

Stephen Webber, Executive Director of BerkleeNYC, will show how to “Listen Like a Producer” Saturday, March 10th at the studio.

Visit the event page to find out more. Both halves of the program, Pattison’s “Songwriting Tools & Strategies” and Webber’s “Listen Like A Producer” should prove useful to artists and audio pros alike.

And it turns out that school isn’t the only thing in session at 441 West 53^rd Street. After initiating upgrades to the studio’s gear soon after acquiring the building last fall and establishing BerkleeNYC, the studio, now known as Power Station at BerkleeNYC, has re-opened and is hosting a variety of recording sessions. Solo artists, small groups and large Broadway cast album recordings have all had studio time at the facility, including a recent session featuring 40 members of Boys and Girls Harbor in Harlem, an education-focused organization and member of the Berklee City Music Network. The students–from 15 New York City high schools–recorded an update of jazz standard “A Night In Tunisia” that features rapping.

According to Webber, BerkleeNYC’s ongoing technical upgrades are aimed at developing new ways to capture live music in a studio environment. HD and 360 video capture, professional lighting, and a video control room are being brought online to support documenting, broadcasting and live streaming of recording sessions.

Contrary to expectations that artists and audio engineers would not have access to the facility in 2018, it will actually continue to remain open through the summer, hosting recording sessions and educational programs. Upcoming events include a music video production workshop conducted by Nick Clark Productions; a modern songwriting camp led by Bonnie Hayes, Berklee chair of songwriting, and Kara DioGuardi, hit songwriter and former American Idol judge; a jazz workshop and recording session led by Joe Lovano, Gary Burton jazz chair in performance; and Music of the African Diaspora, led by Nedelka Prescod, associate professor of ensembles. The programs will be open to the public.

Following this burst of activity, BerkleeNYC will close in August to undergo major renovations that are currently planned to take one year. In addition to the gear upgrades, renovations include building infrastructure such as adding an elevator and street level entrance. A black box theater, video control room, and virtual reality laboratory are planned for the lower level. The second floor will see ensemble rehearsal classrooms added, and the common areas throughout the building will be revamped to feature museum quality exhibits celebrating the history of New York’s recorded music scene.

BerkleeNYC plans to reopen permanently in the fall of 2019. Until then, perhaps reverb and Neve longings can be satisfied via this 360-degreee tour of Power Station at BerkleeNYC’s Studio A.

— David Weiss

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