Jan 14, 2009
MUSICIANS INSTITUTE ROCKS INTO 2009!
Famed Hollywood Based Music School
Launches Another Exciting Year With Two
Powerhouse Clinics And A Handful
Of Inspiring Alumni Success Stories
It’s only a few weeks old, but 2009 is already shaping up to be another dynamic whirlwind of a year at Musicians Institute (www.mi.edu) in Hollywood, starting with two can’t miss clinics in mid-January and the announcement of several inspiring alumni success stories.
On Thursday January 15th, three powerhouse rock guitarists – Dave Weiner (pictured with Steve Vai), Dave Martone, and Rob Balducci – join forces for a special clinic. Weiner, a GIT grad and 7-string specialist, has been a member of Steve Vai’s band and part of G3 tours since 1999 and has released three solo CDs. Canadian native Martone, with six solo releases, has taught at Berklee College of Music and the National Guitar Workshop and performed and conducted clinics with Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Morse, Paul Gilbert, Jennifer Batten, Jon Finn Group, Chester Thompson (Frank Zappa), Greg Bissonette, Marty Friedman, and Mike Portney (Dream Theater), among others. Favored Nations artist and Ibanez clinician Balducci is a versatile shred-stylist with three solo CDs.
On the same date, MI welcomes Brendan Buckley for the first drum clinic of the new year. Buckley, who has toured and recorded with artists including Shakira, Damien Rice and Daniel Powter, is known for his versatility and creativity.
Now for the big alum success stories:
Tony Cupito (Drums) and his band The Shys just completed a tour following last summer’s album release, You’ll Never Understand This Band the Way I Do (Aeronaut Records). The single “The Hangman” became a favorite on Sirius Radio’s Little Steven’s Underground Garage. The band is back in the studio working on a new recording and will appear at SXSW in March. To learn more, check out www.theshys.com and
www.myspace.com/theshysmusic.
Fillip Angelov (Audio Engineering) recently checked in with this report about life since MI: “I recently finished mixing the new Funkdoobiest record; it's their fourth full-length album and I spent the better half of 2008 on that project. I've worked with DJ Quik, Kool Keith, Daz Dillinger, Akil (of Jurassic 5), Chilly Chill (founder of Da Lench Mob and producer of classic Ice Cube and Yo Yo records), Hittman (from Dr. Dre’s Aftermath label) and a lot of great independent artists such as 2Mex, Percee P (from L.A.’s Stones Throw Records), and Lexicon, to name a few. I also recorded and mixed a song for a Rage Against The Machine tribute album where all of the songs were all covered in Spanish.”
For more information about Filip and a list of his credits, check out www.myspace.com/filproph.
In other news, MI’s Keyboard Program welcomes the return of instructor Lisa Harriton. Lisa, who recently wrapped the Smashing Pumpkins 20th Anniversary Tour, has resumed her regular teaching schedule at MI, including Open Counseling, Keyboard Practice Lab and Private Lessons.
Since opening its doors in 1977, Musicians Institute has primed over 20,000 musicians, producers, engineers, vocalists and industry professionals for successful careers in every genre of contemporary music. Located just blocks from the Capitol Records tower, MI has an incredible history of innovation dating back to its origins in 1977 as the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT), which broke new ground as a performance-based contemporary music school taught by working professionals. Within a few years, GIT was joined by bass and drum programs to form Musicians Institute and the evolution has continued to this day with degree and certificate programs for career-minded guitarists, bassists, drummers, vocalists, keyboardists, recording engineers, independent producers, guitar makers, music business professionals and filmmakers.
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