Studio Session Guide

Overview

Studio Sessions occur on Wednesday of odd weeks (1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13). These sessions provide dedicated time to work on your creative practice in a supportive environment.

Sessions alternate between solo and group formats:

Week	Session Type
1	Solo
3	Group
5	Solo
7	Group
9	Solo
11	Group
13	Solo

Solo Studio Sessions (Weeks 1, 5, 9, 13)

Purpose

Practice concentration and deep focus
Achieve “flow” state in creative work
Build individual skills through sustained practice

Format (80 minutes)

Sec 04	Sec 05	Activity
2:00-2:10	3:30-3:40	Setup & set intentions
2:10-3:00	3:40-4:30	Deep work time (individual focus)
3:00-3:10	4:30-4:40	Document progress
3:10-3:20	4:40-4:50	Brief share-out (optional)

Skills to Practice

Concentration and focus
Entering and maintaining “flow”
Self-directed learning
Time management
Working through challenges independently

Guidelines

Use headphones to create a focused environment
Minimize distractions—close non-essential apps, silence phone
Set a specific goal for the session
Protect your focus time—instructor available but won’t interrupt

Group Studio Sessions (Weeks 3, 7, 11)

Purpose

Collaborate with peers on creative work
Practice group dynamics and communication
Learn from different perspectives and approaches

Format (80 minutes)

Sec 04	Sec 05	Activity
2:00-2:10	3:30-3:40	Setup & form groups
2:10-2:55	3:40-4:25	Collaborative work time
2:55-3:10	4:25-4:40	Group share-out
3:10-3:20	4:40-4:50	Debrief & takeaways

Skills to Practice

Group dynamics and communication
Adopting roles (driver, navigator, researcher, documenter)
Giving and receiving creative input
Collaborative decision-making
Learning from peers

Group Roles

Consider rotating through these roles:

Driver: Hands on the controls, implementing ideas
Navigator: Directing the creative direction
Researcher: Looking up techniques or solutions
Documenter: Recording decisions and progress

Guidelines

Rotate roles throughout the session
Ensure all voices are heard—share speaking time
Be open to different approaches
Document decisions together—keep a shared record

What to Work On

Practice your weekly habits
Explore tools and techniques
Work on personal projects
Experiment with new ideas

Documentation

At the end of each session, note:

What you worked on
What you accomplished
What challenges you encountered
What you want to continue next time

This feeds into your weekly Canvas check-in and builds your Final Project evidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work on something unrelated to course topics? Yes—as long as you’re building music production skills and documenting your work.

What if I finish early? Use remaining time for habit practice or exploration. There’s always something to learn.

Can I leave early if I finish? No—full class participation is required. Use extra time productively.