i Program Overview
MI Online’s Independent Artist Program provides the technical knowledge and professional skills you need to survive as an independent recording and performing artist in today’s music world. Experienced instructors guide you through the complete creative process from songwriting, arranging, recording and production to marketing and promotion.
Use your personal laptop audio workstation to record and mix live vocals, instruments, samples and loops into finished tracks, then showcase them on your self-designed website. Whether you are a singer, DJ, producer, rapper or instrumentalist, MIO prepares you to take control of your future.
Our program covers everything from songwriting and recording to marketing and promotion, ensuring that you have the skills needed to succeed in today’s music industry. You’ll learn how to release music as an independent artist and how to work on your own terms without being signed to a record label.
Whether you’re a singer, songwriter, DJ, producer, rapper or instrumentalist, MI’s Independent Artist Program is the perfect platform for artists who want to pursue their dreams and thrive in the music industry.
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
ARTST-101/201 – Recording Project 1-2
ARTST-107/207 – Songwriting for IAP 1&2
ARTST-111/211 – Project Advising 1-2
DEGREE BY THE NUMBERS
From 10 weeks to 6 months, there’s an option for you!
CERTIFICATE – 2 Quarters
MI SELECT (Individual Courses) – 10 Weeks
i Program Overview
MI Online’s Independent Artist Program provides the technical knowledge and professional skills you need to survive as an independent recording and performing artist in today’s music world. Experienced instructors guide you through the complete creative process from songwriting, arranging, recording and production to marketing and promotion.
Use your personal laptop audio workstation to record and mix live vocals, instruments, samples and loops into finished tracks, then showcase them on your self-designed website. Whether you are a singer, DJ, producer, rapper or instrumentalist, MIO prepares you to take control of your future.
Our program covers everything from songwriting and recording to marketing and promotion, ensuring that you have the skills needed to succeed in today’s music industry. You’ll learn how to release music as an independent artist and how to work on your own terms without being signed to a record label.
Whether you’re a singer, songwriter, DJ, producer, rapper or instrumentalist, MI’s Independent Artist Program is the perfect platform for artists who want to pursue their dreams and thrive in the music industry.
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
ARTST-101/201 – Recording Project 1-2
ARTST-107/207 – Songwriting for IAP 1&2
ARTST-111/211 – Project Advising 1-2
i The MI Online Difference
i The MI Online Difference
IAP Production Advising
The MIO IAP program offers unlimited weekly one-on-one sessions with a variety of expert instructors, to help you make each of the elements of your project the best they can be. The IAP Final Project is designed not just to demonstrate your mastery of the courses in the program—but to give you something to take out into the world and begin your career.
FULLY IMMERSIVE CURRICULUM
IAP students will develop their artist identity, online presence and visual brand, and execute a plan for promoting themselves as an artist. They also record and produce their own music in industry-standard DAW software (Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, or Ableton Live) with guidance from experts every step of the way
Learning Community From Anywhere
MI Online students will receive MI’s unique and innovative curriculum taught in an online environment that is designed to be flexible and engaging, and allows students to study, practice, and learn while managing their work and family obligations.
Tuition Savings
MIO tuition is 18% cheaper than our on-campus tuition, as the online students do not have access to our Hollywood facilities. Students also save because they will not incur any relocation costs, which means more flexibility and cost savings to work from and build their own home studio.
Partnerships
As an MIO student, you become part of a global network of arts, entertainment and educational companies. These partnerships and affiliates can offer students direct access to the music industry and help with their careers after graduation, including but not limited to internships, job placements, gear discounts, and more. Check out our ARTIST & CAREER SERVICES page for more.
IAP Production Advising
The MIO IAP program offers unlimited weekly one-on-one sessions with a variety of expert instructors, to help you make each of the elements of your project the best they can be. The IAP Final Project is designed not just to demonstrate your mastery of the courses in the program—but to give you something to take out into the world and begin your career.
Fully Immersive Curriculum
IAP students will be taught by industry experienced instructors in our working studios, where they’ll gain practical experience on professional-level consoles and recording equipment. Some highlights include:
- Develop your artist identity, online presence and visual brand, and execute a plan for promoting yourself as an artist
- Record and produce your own music in industry-standard DAW software (Pro Tools, Logic Pro X, or Ableton Live) with guidance from experts every step of the way
- Develop your musicianship and artistic voice and write high-quality, professional-level music with intensive training in songwriting and music theory tailored for producers & songwriters
Learning Community from Anywhere
MI Online students will receive MI’s unique and innovative curriculum taught in an online environment that is designed to be flexible and engaging, and allows students to study, practice, and learn while managing their work and family obligations.
We understand that it is important and beneficial for MIO students to feel like they are part of a learning community. The MIO learning methodology includes students taking part in discussions with their peers each week and critiquing the classmate’s performance. Additionally, students may be placed in groups to collaborate on group projects.
Tuition Savings
MIO tuition is 18% cheaper than our on-campus tuition, as the online students do not have access to our Hollywood facilities. Students also save because they will not incur any relocation costs, which means more flexibility and cost savings to work from and build their own home studio.
Partnerships
As an MIO student, you become part of a global network of arts, entertainment and educational companies. These partnerships and affiliates can offer students direct access to the music industry and help with their careers after graduation, including but not limited to internships, job placements, gear discounts, and more.
For a full list of our industry partnerships, please visit our ARTIST & CAREER SERVICES page.
i Faculty
Musicians Institute hosts a highly skilled faculty with extensive experience in the world of contemporary music.
i Faculty
Musicians Institute hosts a highly skilled faculty with extensive experience in the world of contemporary music.
Mark "Blakkat" Bell
Chaka Khan / New Order / Jamiroquai / A Tribe Called Quest / Paul Oakenfold
Eric Corne
John Mayall / Glen Campbell / Kim Deal (The Pixies) / Lucinda Williams / Walter Trout / Joe Bonamassa
Lauren Pardini
Vocal coach & songwriter on Columbia / Island/Def Jam / Aftermath / Sony/Epic / Atlantic and Universal Records & Jimmy Kimmel Show
Jessica Louise
Singer/Songwriter
Mark "Blakkat" Bell
Chaka Khan / New Order / Jamiroquai / A Tribe Called Quest / Paul Oakenfold
Eric Corne
John Mayall / Glen Campbell / Kim Deal (The Pixies) / Lucinda Williams / Walter Trout / Joe Bonamassa
Lauren Pardini
Vocal coach & songwriter on Columbia / Island/Def Jam / Aftermath / Sony/Epic / Atlantic and Universal Records & Jimmy Kimmel Show
Jessica Louise
Singer/Songwriter
i Alumni Success Stories
i Alumni Success Stories
Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
“The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered.”
Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
“The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered.”
Derek Keota / Best Engineered Album Grammy Nomination
AUDIO ENGINEERIG PROGRAM
“To say MI has been a life-changing experience would be an understatement.”
BRUNO PARNELL /
Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, MTV’s Are You The One?
INDEPENDENT ARTIST PROGRAM
“Truly taking advantage of the facilities at MI that are available 24/7 and the amazing instructors is up to the individual student…You get what you put into your time there.”
KING MALA /
Singer/Songwriter
INDEPENDENT ARTIST PROGRAM
“My greatest piece of advice for students starting out would be to say ‘Yes!’ Say yes to every opportunity, every inspiration.”
DEVIN MOSES /
Rapper/Songwriter
INDEPENDENT ARTIST PROGRAM
“MI was the first place I ever truly fit in, where I felt inspired by the instructors and fellow students”
International Students
International students make up nearly one-fourth of MI’s total student population, representing more than 50 countries throughout the world. The International Student Office is dedicated to making the transition from each student’s home country to MI’s Hollywood campus as smooth and easy as possible.
i CAREER OPTIONS
i CAREER OPTIONS
“What can I do with a degree in Independent Artist Program?”
Following in the non-traditional spirit of MI, graduates with a certificate in the independent artist program have found careers in diverse settings across the music industry. We strive to prepare graduates for mastery in any opportunities that arise in electronic music, like:
> MUSIC PRODUCER
A music producer writes, arranges and produces music for other musicians (including vocalists, bands, etc)
> SOUND DESIGNER
A sound designer is a technical/creative artist who composes, edits, and controls audio in various interactive media. Some examples of sound design work include designing synth patches, sample packs, ambiance and foley sounds.
> RECORDING ARTIST & PERFORMER
As a recording artist and performer, you produce and release music you composed.
> REMIX ARTIST
Remix artists find their expertise in altering and remixing pre-existing audio into a new original piece of music. Remixes can be created of original songs to better fit different formats (radio, club, genre).
> AUDIO ENGINEER
An audio engineer (also known as a sound engineer or recording engineer) produces a recording or a live performance. They specialize in the technical aspects of recording live audio, such as mixing, post-production and mastering.
“What can I do with a degree in Independent Artist Program?”
Following in the non-traditional spirit of MI, graduates with a certificate in the independent artist program have found careers in diverse settings across the music industry. We strive to prepare graduates for mastery in any opportunities that arise in electronic music, like:
> MUSIC PRODUCER
A music producer writes, arranges and produces music for other musicians (including vocalists, bands, etc)
> SOUND DESIGNER
A sound designer is a technical/creative artist who composes, edits, and controls audio in various interactive media. Some examples of sound design work include designing synth patches, sample packs, ambiance and foley sounds.
> RECORDING ARTIST & PERFORMER
As a recording artist and performer, you produce and release music you composed.
> REMIX ARTIST
Remix artists find their expertise in altering and remixing pre-existing audio into a new original piece of music. Remixes can be created of original songs to better fit different formats (radio, club, genre).
> AUDIO ENGINEER
An audio engineer (also known as a sound engineer or recording engineer) produces a recording or a live performance. They specialize in the technical aspects of recording live audio, such as mixing, post-production and mastering.
i CAREER development
i CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Artist & Career Services
Artist & Career Services (ACS) is an extensive resource center designed to offer students and alumni active professional & personal development to succeed in today’s competitive entertainment industry.
ACS provides help in career development like resume building, workshops, industry mentors, discounted gear, internships and more.
INTERNSHIPS
The ACS Internship Program provides MI students with real-world experience in the music industry through internships in music-related companies. Students in the Music Business Program are required to complete an internship, while Common Course and Audio Engineering majors are able to sign up to be interviewed and considered for the elective program.
INTERNSHIPS
The ACS Internship Program provides MI students with real-world experience in the music industry through internships in music-related companies. Students in the Music Business Program are required to complete an internship, while Common Course and Audio Engineering majors are able to sign up to be interviewed and considered for the elective program.
i SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID
i FINANCIAL AID
Don’t let finances get in the way of your dreams! MI has a range of scholarships and financial aid options available for incoming students of all kinds. Scholarships available to IAP students include:
MI DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP
Musicians Institute offers the MI Development Scholarship to newly enrolling students in order to encourage the educational development of musicians and music industry professionals.
INTERNATIONAL MUSICIANS MERIT SCHOLARSHIP
Musicians Institute has created the International Musicians Merit Scholarship specifically to assist advanced musicians from outside the United States with their educational development.
Ready to start your Independent Artist journey?
Ready to start your Independent Artist journey?
The first step in applying to our on-ground or online program is to complete an Application for Admission, and get started with the best music college!
The first step in applying to our on-ground or online program is to complete an Application for Admission, and get started with the best music college!
Want to study in Hollywood? You can enroll in our on-campus Independent Artist program in the heart of the music industry!
i UPCOMING EVENTS
i upcoming events
ON-CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE
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Find out for yourself why
thousands of musicians from all
over the world have made MI the
launching pad for their careers.
MI ONLINE INFO SESSION
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Meet the MI Online team as they
guide you through the MIO platform,
the diverse program offerings,
and the steps needed to apply.
FINANCING YOUR
EDUCATION
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You’ll learn about everything from
an overview of the financial aid process,
to key documents you’ll encounter, and
different funding sources that
can help you manage costs.
Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
"The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered."
Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
"The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered."
Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
"The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered."
CONNECT WITH AN ADMISSIONS ADVISOR
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