Course Dates: Saturdays, October 4, 11, 18 & 25

Event Details

Calling all high school students with a passion for music! Whether you’re just getting started or have some experience with beat-making or recording, this Music Production 101 Series is for you.

Why You Should Sign Up

Designed specifically for beginners and taught by industry professionals, this four-week informational course (running October 4-25) will guide you through the entire pre-production process — giving you an understanding of the fundamentals of music production from recording, to mixing, to learning the basics of mastering and creating your own beat. (See below for the full curriculum.)

This is a hands-on, creative program open to students in and outside Westport. Over the four weeks, you’ll explore popular software like Ableton and FL Studio, experiment with song structure, collaborate with peers, and leave with a more comprehensive understanding of the music production process from start to finish.

No prior training needed — just bring your interest, creativity, and a laptop!

Registering registers you for all four classes in the series. If you cannot make a class, please email jconnon@westportlibrary.org.

Music Production 101 is presented by The Gerber Foundation.

Instructor Bios

Kenneth “Kenny O” Ortiz is an American Grammy-nominated record executive, A&R manager, and consultant. As the CEO of World Trade Entertainment, Ortiz has led efforts that have resulted in 175 million records sold, and he has been instrumental in the careers and successes of Pharrell Williams and The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins, SWV (“Human Nature Remix” and “Downtown”), Ne-Yo, Jazmine Sullivan, Missy Elliott, and Timbaland.

Kenny’s innovative A&R and promotion skills through the 1980s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s have been instrumental in bringing numerous musical artists and figures across multiple genres to multi-platinum sales and legendary status, including but not limited to Mellow Man Ace (the first Spanish rapper ever signed to a major label and the first to go platinum launching 1980’s House Music), Pharrell Williams, The Neptunes, SWV, Destiny’s Child, The Luniz, MC Hammer, Brian McKnight, Martha Wash, Anita Baker, Tracy Chapman, Keith Sweat, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Ryan Toby of City High, Mantronix, Simply Red, The Cure, and Ten Thousand Maniacs.

Born and raised in Bridgeport, Nate Barnes is a Grammy-nominated musician, producer, and educator with more than 30 years experience. Nate developed a love of music from a very young age, which led him to study at Berklee College of Music in Boston, earning a dual BA in Professional Music and Music Business Management. Nate has played with artists such as John Mayer, George Duke, and Stevie Wonder and has also performed alongside George Clinton, Judy Collins, Joe Sample, and many others. He was also a subject in the book, Teens with Physical Disabilities, written by Glenn Cheney and went on to be honored on behalf of the State of Connecticut by the Music and Arts Center for Humanity with the 2009 Pat Hart Award, recognizing outstanding commitment to the arts. Nate was later awarded the Keys to the City of Bridgeport for his dedicated service to the young people in his community, and November 12, 2011, was declared Nate Barnes Day by the City of Bridgeport.

In 2015, Nate was appointed by Governor Dan Malloy to the State Rehab Council, an agency charged with crafting policies and reviewing state budgets to advocate on behalf of blind people.  Currently, he is an Accessibility Ambassador for music technology giant Native Instruments and, in 2020, joined the Advisory Board for the Connecticut affiliate of Young Audiences Arts for Learning and has since been certified with their Culturally Responsive Teaching Through the Arts program. He also holds the ‘Kingian Non-Violence Teaching Artist’ certification from the Connecticut Office of the Arts.

Hosea Dorvil, a violinist and music producer, inspires students with his relaxed, relatable teaching style. After interning with Universal Sounds, he now blends classical and contemporary techniques as a Teaching Artist.

About Verso University

Verso University is The Westport Library’s lifelong learning and education initiative. It functions as a year-round series of high-level classes, workshops, and lectures designed to further education and learning — and above all, learning for a lifetime.

Offerings run the gamut of educational opportunities to take your learning to the next level, ranging from one-time lectures to ongoing courses to classes that meet weekly or perhaps monthly. And they will cover a wide variety of topics, with classes and courses to appeal to all ages and interests, from our younger patrons to our most experienced.

Each semester, we’ll be offering classes tailored to your interests, responding to what our community wants to deliver programs that will resonate.

Verso University programs are made possible by the generous support of the Nancy J. Beard Lifelong Learning and Education Fund.

🎶 4-Day Pre-Production Course Curriculum

Session 1: Foundations of Music Production & Producer Role

Morning – Welcome & Orientation
• Instructor Introductions
• Icebreaker: “Our Stories” – share background, musical inspirations
• Group Q&A: Past experience with music/production

Late Morning – Understanding the Industry & Your Role
• Discussion: “What is Music Production?”
• The Role of a Producer (creative director, problem solver, team leader)
• Types of producers (beatmaker, recording engineer, executive, etc.)

Afternoon – Tools of the Trade: Software & Hardware
• Overview of Software: DAWs (Ableton Live, FL Studio, Logic Pro, etc.)
• Overview of Hardware: Audio interfaces, MIDI controllers, microphones
• Plugin types: Instruments vs Effects
• Brief intro to Outboard Gear (compressors, preamps, EQs)

Assignment:
• Install a DAW (if not already done)
• Watch 1-2 YouTube tutorials on your DAW’s layout

Day 2: Composition & Structure

Morning – Song Structure Basics
• Common song forms: AABA, Verse–Chorus–Bridge
• Analyze 2 popular tracks: structure, dynamics, energy flow
• Discuss: Why structure matters for producers

Late Morning – Programming & Sound Selection
• What is programming? (Drum patterns, sequencing, MIDI)
• Intro to rhythm and groove
• Sound Selection: Choosing the right drum kits, synths, samples

Afternoon – Songwriting & Collaboration
• The producer’s role in songwriting
• Melody, harmony, and lyrics basics
• Writing with vs writing for an artist

Exercise:
• Create a basic 8-bar loop with kick, snare, hi-hats, bass, and chords
• Optional: add a simple vocal hook or melody

Day 3: Recording & Mixing Basics

Morning – Tracking (Recording Elements)
• What is “tracking”?
• Setting up for vocals or instruments
• Tips for clean takes & working with artists

Late Morning – Mixing Overview
• Why the mix matters
• Rough mix vs Pro mix: listen to examples
• What makes a “good” mix? (balance, clarity, space)

Afternoon – Basic Mixing Breakdown
• Signal flow: understanding channels, buses, inserts
• Basic FX: EQ, compression, reverb, delay
• Gain staging & levels
• Practice: balance a rough mix in your DAW

Assignment:
• Mix your 8-bar loop from Day 2 (balance levels, EQ, light compression)

Day 4: Advanced Concepts & Mastering Overview

Morning – Critical Listening & Sound Choices
• Compare multiple versions of the same song
• Listen to isolated stems: how each part contributes
• The power of subtractive arrangement

Late Morning – Creative Tools & Advanced Production Concepts
• Explore automation, modulation, sound design
• Using reference tracks
• Plugin deep dive: compression types, saturation, stereo widening

Afternoon – Mastering Explained
• What mastering is (and isn’t)
• Tools: Limiters, stereo imaging, loudness targets (LUFS)
• When to master yourself vs send to a pro

Final Wrap-Up:
• Group Discussion: What did you learn?
• Show-and-Tell: Share your 8-bar loop + mix
• Guidance on next steps (learning paths, communities, practice routines)

BONUS: Daily Homework Prompts

• Session 1: Write about your favorite producer and why
• Session 2: Deconstruct a song’s structure and sounds
• Session 3: Rebalance your mix after resting your ears
• Session 4: Try mastering your loop or apply a mastering plugin chain

Music
Sound Design