EPIC is a virtual music experience for middle and high school students in San Diego Unified. You do not have to be currently enrolled in a music class to participate. Join us for one, two, or all three days!

Click here for registration.

Registration closes on Monday, March 15 at noon.

You will receive an email with Zoom links the afternoon of March 15. (Due to managing the conference, we cannot support late registrations.)

Tuesday, 3/16

Wednesday, 3/17

Thursday, 3/18

4:00 pm

Opening Session

4:20 pm

Breakout Session 1:Meet the ProsSee session options below

5:10 pm

Breakout Session 2: Tech YourselfSee session options below

6:00 pm

EPIC Ends

4:00 pm

Opening Session

4:20 pm

Breakout Session 3:One of UsSee session options below

5:10 pm

Breakout Session 4:Time to JamSee session options below

6:00 pm

EPIC Ends

4:00 pm

Opening Session

4:20 pm

Breakout Session 5:Divergent PathsSee session options below

5:10 pm

Breakout Session 6:#musiclifeSee session options below

6:00 pm

EPIC Ends

Breakout 1 - Meet the Pros (3/16)

Breakout Session 1: Meet the Pros

Choose one session to attend on Tuesday at 4:20.

Video Game Composers IRL (Session A)

Featuring Jason Hayes and Neal Acree (composers, World of Warcraft and more)Find out how these two incredible composers launched their careers, and get some tips for composing for video games.

Behind the Board (Session B)

Featuring Robin Reumers (Director of Education at Abbey Road Institute Miami)Take a tour of the music production studios of Abbey Road Institute Miami and discover what it takes to make it in mixing and mastering.

Journey to Broadway (Session C)

Featuring Storm Lever (singer, Summer: The Donna Summer Musical and more)Learn about Storm's musical life and journey to performing on Broadway.

Breakout 2 - Tech Yourself (3/16)

Breakout Session 2: Tech Yourself

Choose one session to attend on Tuesday at 5:10.

Dig Deep Into Noteflight (Session A)

Facilitated by Carissa Mattison (Director of Band and Orchestra, Point Loma High School)Advance your knowledge of Noteflight with this exploration of complex topics. Participants will use their sandi.net Noteflight account, or will need to create or use a free Noteflight account. Click here to go to the Noteflight site.

Introduction to Soundtrap (Session B)

Facilitated by Mark Gonzales (Director of Choirs, Hoover High School)Learn how to record and edit your voice (for singing, podcasting, and much more) in this introduction to Soundtrap. Participants will use their sandi.net Soundtrap account, or will need to create or use a free Soundtrap account. Click here to go to the Soundtrap site.

Composition on Soundtrap (Intermediate/Advanced) (Session C)

Facilitated by Taylor Haun from Soundtrap If you've used Soundtrap before, come learn how to use samples, sound clips, and MIDI to compose like you never have before. Participants will use their sandi.net Soundtrap account, or will need to create or use a free Soundtrap account. Click here to go to the Soundtrap site.

Making Music in Ableton Live! (Session D)

Facilitated by Lawrence Grey from AbletonFind out what those EQ dials really mean, and how you can use filters to process sound, regardless of platform. Participants will access free resources online.Click here to go to the Ableton site.

Breakout 3 - One of Us (3/17)

Breakout Session 3: One of Us

Choose one session to attend on Wednesday at 4:20.

The High School Music Experience (Session A)

Designed for current middle school students.Meet high school students currently taking music courses, and find out what to expect from a high school music program. Panel includes students from SDUSD High Schools.

The Collegiate Music Experience (Session B)

Designed for current high school students.Ask current college students all your questions about auditions, college courses, and whether you have to be a music major to take a music class. Panel includes students from San Diego State University and Point Loma Nazarene University.

Breakout 4 - Time to Jam (3/17)

Breakout Session 4: Time to Jam

Choose one session to attend on Wednesday at 5:10.Sessions will be most participatory if you have access to your instrument.

Soprano/Alto Voices (Session A)

With Meghann Welsh (soprano; voice teacher; doctoral candidate at UCSD) Warm-ups, technique, and practice skills for treble voices.

Tenor/Bass Voices (Session B)

With Dr. Arian Khaefi (Director of Choral Activities, SDSU)Warm-ups, technique, and practice skills for tenor and bass voices.

Strings (Session C)

With Jeremy Kurtz-Harris (principal bass, San Diego Symphony Orchestra)

Woodwinds (Session D)

With Sheryl Renk (principal clarinet, San Diego Symphony Orchestra)

Brass (Session E)

With Doug Hall (horn, San Diego Symphony Orchestra)

Percussion (Session F)

With Andy (Andrew) Watkins (assistant principal timpani/percussion section, San Diego Symphony Orchestra)

Improvisation (Session G)

With Keli Ross Ma’u (professional steel pan musician)All instruments/styles welcome.

Rock Music (Session H)

With Justin Emord (bassist in the band Love and a .38)Creating, writing, and making music with a rock band. No instruments necessary.

Song-Writing (Session I)

With David Spitzfaden (an independent singer-songwriter)The process of writing songs.

Breakout 5 - Divergent Paths (3/18)

Breakout Session 5: Divergent Paths

Choose one session to attend on Thursday at 4:20.

A Path Into the Music Industry (Session A)

Presented by Kit Culpepper of Martin Guitar, André Brousseau of NAMM, Jo Ann Peterson of Taylor Guitars, and Robin Sassi of San Diego Music Studio. Trying to figure out what comes next? These NAMM Young Professionals will tell you about their path in music business.

Behind the Symphony (Session B)

Presented by a staff panel from the San Diego Symphony OrchestraWhat goes on on the backstage side of the symphony? Hear from JD Smith (marketing), Tania Batson (fundraising), Paige Satter (production), Patrick Peterson (personnel management), Clement So (artistic planning), and Diane Littlejohn (facilities).

The Taylor Guitars Way: Behind the Scenes (Session C)

Presented Gerry Kowalski from Taylor GuitarsLike to fix instruments or work with your hands? Find out about the career of a luthier.

Studio Musician For Hire (Session D)

Presented by Duncan Moore, drummer and percussionistIf you're a performer, but don't see yourself as a touring soloist or symphony musician, here's another option.

Life at a Mixing Board (Session E)

Presented by Steve Evans, audio engineer, at Cinematic Arts and SoundLearn the ins and outs of audio design, recording, mixing, and editing in a state-of-the-art facility.

Background Sounds (Session F)

Presented by John Drelick, senior sound designer at High Moon StudiosSound designers create, edit, and produce sound effects and ambience in film, TV, and in Mr. Drelick's case, video games.

Breakout 6 - #musiclife (3/18)

Breakout Session 6: #musiclife

Choose one session to attend on Thursday at 5:10.

The Science of Sound (Session A)

Featuring Dr. Victor Minces (researcher, UCSD)See music through a different lens: one of vibration, frequency, and sound waves.

Developing Musical Leadership (Session B)

Featuring Juan Carlos Acosta (Artistic Director, Sacra/Profana)Develop skills in music leadership, and learn how to apply those skills in other areas of life.

Lyric Power (Session C)

Featuring Miki Vale (MC/musician/playwright)Collaborate with local artist Miki Vale use the power of words to craft a group rap.

A Modern Take on a Tradition (Session D)

Featuring Javad Butah (tabla master) What is tabla, you ask? Come check out the Hindustani classical instrument - join us!

What's Your Story? (Session E)

Featuring San Diego Symphony musicians Elyse Lauzon (horn), Kate Hatmaker (violin), and Greg Cohen (percussion) Sit in on an interview of a panel of musicians from the San Diego Symphony.

Contact us if you have questions or concerns.

Anne Fennell

Music Program Managerafennell1@sandi.net

Russ Sperling

VAPA Directorrsperling@sandi.net

Laura Williams

Music Resource Teacherlwilliams5@sandi.net