Richardson School of Music 

The workshop will be facilitated by 2x GRAMMY-Nominated singer songwriter/artist/producer 

Eric Roberson. He will explore the art of songwriting by sharing his techniques. Eric will be assisting participants in learning, enhancing, reinventing and fine tuning their own techniques. 

The goal of the workshop will be to help aspiring and established songwriters to find their unique songwriting approach. 

The workshop is geared towards both aspiring and established songwriters.

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Eric Roberson - GRAMMY Award-nominee, singer, songwriter, and producer Eric Roberson continues to break boundaries as an independent artist in an industry dominated by major labels, manufactured sounds and mainstream radio.  Described as the original pioneer of the independent movement in R&B/soul music, Eric has achieved major milestones in his career, from being a successful songwriter and producer for notable artist such as Jill Scott, Musiq Soulchild, Dwele, Vivian Green and countless others, as well as headlining sold out tours across the country.

This Rahway, NJ and Howard University alum became the first independent artist to be nominated for a BET Award 2007 and was the recipient of the "Underground Artist of the Year" BETJ Virtual Award, with Rahsaan Patterson in 2008.

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To learn more about Eric Roberson click here.

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In this workshop Shae and Mireya will give an overview of their 3 album history as an independent band. From pre-production, recording, to the album launch, they will share their process. This workshop will help participants navigate the tedious process of releasing and album through the ever growing DIY method. 

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Latin GRAMMY Winners Flor de Toloache make New York City history as its’ First and Only All­-Women Mariachi Group. Founded in 2008, Flor de Toloache is lead by singers Mireya I. Ramos (founder) & Shae Fiol (founding member). Reminiscent of the early days of mariachi the group started as a trio, Harp, Violin and Vihuela. Today, Flor De Toloache’s members hail from diverse cultural backgrounds such as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Australia, Colombia, Germany, Italy and the United States. This defines their unique flavor and sound. The result of this cultural bouquet is an edgy, versatile and fresh take on traditional Mexican music. They coalesce as would a band of sisters, with a grace and vibrant beauty that casts a spell over their audiences not unlike the legendary Toloache flower still being used in Mexico as a love potion. While working to preserve centuries old traditions of Mariachi, their melange of the traditional and the modern pushes the boundaries of the genre and brings Mariachi music to new audiences.

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To learn more about Flor De Toloache click here.

Recording, Mixing and Mastering has changed over the past 30 years. Which studio, gear choices and recording methods fit your style of music production? Let’s discuss what makes your masters measure up in today’s formats of music delivery.

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Randy LeRoy - Senior Mastering Engineer moved to D.C. in 2010 after spending 30 years in Nashville. The Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University prepared Randy to work in A&R for CBS Records. Focusing on engineering and production, he then learned mastering from the legendary Glenn Meadows at Masterfonics. Randy continued to refine his skills as the mastering engineer for thousands of albums, including dozens of GRAMMY nominated and winning projects at Final Stage Mastering, before moving to Takoma Park.

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To learn more about Randy LeRoy click here.

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This workshop will cover kid-friendly basic audio recording techniques using apps for tablet, iPad and iPhone. These apps can be used to produce electronic sounds and loops, as well as record a voice or instrument right into your device. This workshop will be taught at a beginner level and all ages are welcome.

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Muhsinah Abdul-Karim - is a Grammy winning vocalist, pianist, songwriter and producer who creates music that explores the boundaries of genre and transports listeners through multi-dimensional sounds. 

A native of Washington D.C., she is a graduate of both Duke Ellington School of the Arts--where she competed and performed as a classically trained pianist-- and Howard University--where she earned a degree in Jazz Composition within three years. She cites Chopin, Pharrell, Janet Jackson and Herbie Hancock among her top musical influences.

 A music industry gem, Muhsinah has gone on to collaborate with incomparable artists including Common, Robert Glasper, Norah Jones, The Foreign Exchange, The Roots, The Weeknd and Flying Lotus. 

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Muhsinah is a faculty member at Richardson School of Music!

As a multi-genre recording artist and instrumentalist, Damien Sneed is a pianist, vocalist, organist, composer, conductor, arranger, producer, and arts educator whose work spans multiple genres. In current times, independent artists and entrepreneurs must intentionally engage in self-promotion and branding.  This workshop will cover various tips and pointers to get your music heard and establish your voice in the industry.  

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As a multi-genre recording artist and instrumentalist, Damien Sneed is a pianist, organist, composer, conductor, arranger, producer, and arts educator whose work spans multiple genres. The Sphinx Medal of Excellence recipient has worked with jazz, classical, pop, and R&B legends, including the late Aretha Franklin and Jessye Norman, which he is featured on Norman’s final recording, Bound For The Promised Land on Albany Records. He also worked with Wynton Marsalis, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Ashford & Simpson, J’Nai Bridges, Lawrence Brownlee, and many others. Sneed has served as music director for Grammy Award-winning gospel artists The Clark Sisters, Richard Smallwood, Donnie McClurkin, Hezekiah Walker, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark Sheard, Dorinda Clark-Cole and Kim Burrell, among others. Sneed is a featured producer and writer on the Clark Sisters’ new project, “The Return”, released on March 13, 2020.

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To learn more about Damien Sneed click here.

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Grammy Nominated Singer/Songwriter Raheem 

DeVaughn will take you into the world of recording. HIS world of recording to be more specific. Get a first hand look as he navigates through his vocal recording process. 

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Raheem DeVaughn - is an American singer and songwriter. His debut album, The Love Experience (2005), reached No. 46 on the US Billboard 200 album chart. It featured the singles "Guess Who Loves You More" and "You". His second album Love Behind the Melodywas released in January 2008. It features the singles "Woman", and "Customer".

DeVaughn was nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 2008 Grammy Awards for the single "Woman". His third album The Love & War MasterPeace was released in 2010. A Place Called Love Land, his fourth album, was released in 2013. In 2015, he had released his fifth album, Love Sex Passion. DeVaughn released his sixth album Decade of a Love King on October 19, 2018. On June 28, 2019, DeVaughn released The Love Reunion, his seventh studio album, featuring the lead single, "Just Right".

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