UNDERGROUND MUSIC
ACADEMY
DETROIT BASED MUSIC ACADEMY
REGISTER NOW
FOR UMA'S ONLINE SUMMER SEMESTER '25
Starting the Week of June 16 - July 21, 2025
The moment you've been waiting for is here: we're thrilled to announce our Summer online courses launching in June 2025!
Each class is 1.5 hrs, once a week, for 6 weeks total. This allows high impact, so that you can fully focus during class time and have time to practice and build your skillset throughout the week.
REGISTRATION STARTS NOW
On a first come first serve basis for our online courses.
Get in on our EARLY BIRD prices available until Friday, June 6th.
Prices are reflected in checkout.
Registration will close on June 13th, 2025.
Ableton 101
Sundays at 1PM EST USA
ONLINE SUMMER COURSES 2025
Modular Synthesis 101
Saturdays at 12PM EST USA
Piano Theory 101
Wednesdays at 1PM EST USA
Tuesdays at 12PM EST USA
Hear Me Now?
INSTRUCTOR:
FESS GRANDIOSE
In an industry that prizes pigeonholes, Fess Grandiose brings something new to the industry: versatility. Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, he began as a MC at 17. Now Fess is a triple threat: an MC, DJ, and producer. From the lyrics, to production, down to the scratching, Fess holds complete control of his music. He prides himself on passionately staying true to hip-hop while soulfully adding his own personal inspirations--classic rock, funk, electronica. DJing his own set while performing along side live drums and keys are just part of the repertoire that sets him apart.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Eurorack Modular 101 is an introductory course designed for electronic music producers and DJs eager to explore the fascinating world of modular synthesis.
This course provides foundational knowledge of modular synthesizers, covering essential building blocks such as audio sources, modifiers, and control voltage (CV) sources. Students will also gain insights into the history of synthesis, including East Coast and West Coast approaches, and the contributions of Black synthesists.
Utilizing VCV Rack, a powerful and accessible software, participants will design and simulate modular systems in a virtual environment. They'll learn to develop creative patches and sequences using advanced synthesis techniques and complete a final project showcasing a full modular system paired with a melodic sequence.
With the Eurorack industry growing rapidly and becoming a pivotal part of music technology, this course bridges the gap for underrepresented yet passionate audiences in the space. By equipping students with the skills and knowledge to engage with modular synthesis, this course inspires creativity while fostering inclusion in this exciting sector of music production.
MODULAR SYNTHESIS 101
HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:
In this course students are required to have VCV Rack 2 or higher installed on their personal computer of choice.
Rack 2 System Requirements
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Windows 7+, macOS 10.9+, or Linux (such as Ubuntu 16.04+)
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CPU: Intel/AMD 64-bit processor (x64) supporting SSE4.2 (2011 or later), or Apple M1 (ARM64) or higher
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Graphics: Dedicated Nvidia/AMD graphics card from 2013 or later with recent driver update
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Integrated (non-dedicated) graphics such as Intel HD are not recommended and may cause significantly increased CPU usage.
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Memory: 1 GB
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Disk space: 1 GB
DAW plugin features and requirements (Rack Pro only)
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Plugin compatibility: VST2, VST3, Audio Unit, and CLAP
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Up to 16 audio input/output channels, MIDI input/output, parameter automation
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Supported DAWs: Ableton Live, Cubase, FL Studio, Reason, Bitwig, Reaper, Mixbus, Studio One, Cakewalk, Logic Pro, and GarageBand
Other DAWs may run Rack but are unsupported by VCV.
*VCV Rack Pro is included in the course fee
DATES & TIMES:
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Saturday, 12PM EST USA
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Schedules are subject to change. Changes to the schedule will be communicated to students in a timely manner by the instructor or one of UMA’s team members.
COURSE TYPE: Specialized Skill: Instructed by individuals or organizations, that can offer skill-building in specialized techniques or equipment.
COURSE LEVEL:
Beginner - Intermediate
PRICE: $459 USD with Software Included*
LEARNING OUTCOME: Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate an expanded understanding of electronic music history and its relationship to their practice, while learning strategies to support their creative process and development.
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
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Computer
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Near Field Monitors and/or Headphones
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This 6-week hands-on course introduces the fundamentals of electronic music production using Ableton Live, with a focus on creativity, community, and accessibility. Designed for aspiring producers of all levels, students will explore drum programming, melody composition, arrangement, automation, and mixing—all using just a computer keyboard and Ableton Live.
Through guided exercises, peer collaboration, and personalized feedback, students will develop their own unique sound and complete a fully arranged track by the end of the course. Drawing inspiration from Detroit’s rich legacy in electronic music, this class fosters both technical skills and artistic expression in a supportive learning environment.
INSTRUCTOR: KAMAU BAAQI
ABLETON 101
Kamau Baaqi is a Detroit-born electronic music producer with over a decade of experience. He has performed on Boiler Room, MixMag, and global stages, crafting a distinct style that blends deep sonic exploration with the evolving landscapes of electronic music.
His work reflects a strong connection to the genre’s history, pushing boundaries through rhythmic innovation and experimental sound design.
DATES & TIMES:
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Weekly on Sunday from 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. (EST USA)
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Schedules are subject to change. Changes to the schedule will be communicated to students in a timely manner by the instructor or one of UMA’s team members.
LEARNING OUTCOME: Upon completing this course, students will demonstrate an expanded understanding of electronic music history and its relationship to their practice, while learning strategies to support their creative process and development.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
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Navigate Ableton Live – Understand Session and Arrangement Views, tracks, and key functions.
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Program Drum Patterns – Create dynamic beats using Drum Rack, quantization, swing, and velocity.
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Compose Melodies & Harmonies – Use MIDI instruments, scales, and arpeggiators to craft musical ideas.
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Arrange a Track – Structure loops into full compositions with intros, breakdowns, and transitions.
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Use Automation & Effects – Apply volume fades, filter sweeps, and effects for movement and depth.
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Shape a Unique Sound – Experiment with layering, MIDI effects, and creative sound manipulation.
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Mix for Clarity – Balance levels, EQ elements, and apply reverb/delay for a polished sound.
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Showcase a Final Track – Present a completed project and articulate creative choices.
COURSE TYPE: Specialized Skill
Instructed by individuals or organizations, that can offer skill-building in specialized techniques or equipment.
COURSE LEVEL: Beginner - Intermediate
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
The course is designed to be fully accessible using only a laptop keyboard, but students who want a more hands-on experience can use additional equipment:
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Computer (Mac or PC) capable of running Ableton Live 12 Standard or later.
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Headphones: Any closed-back headphones for detailed listening (e.g., Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Beyerdynamic DT 770, or similar).
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Audio Interface (Optional): Recommended for those who want to record external sounds (e.g., Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Universal Audio Volt 2).
PRICE: $399 USD
HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS:
- Ableton Live 12 Standard or later (required).
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Ableton Live 11 Standard is acceptable, but students should be aware that some features may differ slightly from Live 12.
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OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
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External Storage (USB Drive or Cloud Storage) – To back up projects.
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Stable Internet Connection – Required for live remote sessions and Ableton updates.
PIANO THEORY 101
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Piano Theory with Zo! offers a comprehensive and interactive exploration into the fundamentals of music theory by building skills in and based around note and chord identification, finger dexterity, practice techniques, key identification and basic music notation. Topics to be covered include: Major vs. minor
scales, chords, intervals, circle of fifths and the basics music reading. This course genuinely captures thevastness of piano theory knowledge as it relates to modern music. Thus ensuring that by its completion,
all students walk away with a solid foundation and understanding of various essential concepts.
INSTRUCTOR: ZO!
While Zo! could have been classified as a beatmaker based on his early hip-hop releases and productions for others in the first few years of the 2000s, he has always been a musician first. Foremost a keyboardist, yet one who also plays bass, drums, and guitar, and writes, arranges, and produces his own material, he has subsequently thrived with a sound that has put a contemporized twist on soul and jazz- R&B fusions of the late '70s and early '80s, inspired by multi-tasking originators like Stevie Wonder, Larry and Fonce Mizell, and Leon Sylvers III. From 2010 through 2019, beginning with SunStorm and closing out the decade with FourFront, Zo! issued solo albums every three years with the support of primary collaborators The Foreign Exchange, and ventured into writing and producing music for film and television, including the series Black Dynamite, Sherman's Showcase and Sesame Street. He has since entered the 2020s with the Tall Black Guy collaboration Abstractions (2021).
Throughout his childhood, Lorenzo Ferguson balanced his love for music and baseball. The Detroit-area native was drafted as an outfielder by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1996, rounds ahead of future MLB all- stars Orlando Hudson, Juan Pierre, and Barry Zito. Ferguson accepted a full-ride athletic scholarship to Western Kentucky University, however, and earned a degree in Graphic Design. He began his recording career shortly thereafter with Ablyss (2001), the first of several instrumental releases. His profile increased the next few years as he issued albums such as Passion & Definition (2004), Freelance (2006), and the Asylum 7 collaboration Overdue Process (2009), as well as the covers EPs ...just visiting, Zo! and Tigallo Love the '80s, and ...just visiting too (2006-2009). All the while, Ferguson was earning a Master's degree in Special Education and contributing to recordings from the likes of Slum Village, Platinum Pied Pipers, and Little Brother.
During the latter half of the 2000s, Zo!'s deepest bond was made with The Foreign Exchange. The group's Phonte had become a regular collaborator on ...just visiting. Zo! then produced material for the Foreign Exchange's Leave It All Behind while appearing on co-leader Nicolay's City Lights, Vol. 2: Shibuya, and eventually became FE's Musical Director. The second ...just visiting EP was Zo!'s first release through Foreign Exchange Music and led to a triennial series of solo full-length
projects. SunStorm (2010), ManMade (2013), SkyBreak (2016), and FourFront (2019) each featured a shifting cast of guest vocalists and songwriters, most commonly Phonte, Sy Smith, and Carmen Rodgers. The increasingly refined and stylistically adventurous albums were evenly spaced amid Zo!'s work as an educator, and instrumentation and production for other artists, including all things Foreign Exchange and related. Zo! also branched out with music for documentaries and television, ranging from the animated series Black Dynamite to Making SkyBreak and Bike Vessel. He and Phonte wrote and produced many of the songs for Sherman's Showcase, a sketch comedy series for IFC. The duo also collaborated with Sesame Street’s Musical Director, Bill Sherman to compose, “Be Kind To Me, Be Kind To You” for SZA’s 2025 appearance on the iconic television series. Joined by a mix of longtime and new associates including Omar and Josh Milan, Zo! and Tall Black Guy teamed to make Abstractions, a brief, feel-good set released in 2021. The two are currently on tour with powerhouse vocalist, Debórah Bond.
DATES & TIMES:
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Class Meeting Time: Tuesday, 12pm - 1:30pm EST USA
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Schedules are subject to change. Changes to the schedule will be communicated to students in a timely manner by the instructor or one of UMA’s team members.
LEARNING OUTCOME: Upon completion of this course, students will have reliably demonstrated an understanding of theoretical concepts and practical applications of these concepts as related to their creative process or practice.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
By the end of this course, students will:
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Understand the foundational principles of music theory, including note identification, intervals, time signatures, and key signatures.
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Differentiate between major and minor scales and chords, and recognize more advanced chord types such as diminished, augmented, 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th, and suspended chords.
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Identify and construct scales and chords, including using the Circle of Fifths and understanding relative keys and modes.
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Read basic music notation and identify elements such as treble/bass clefs, sharps/flats, and note durations.
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Build finger dexterity through targeted exercises and apply proper practice techniques.
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Analyze the music theory behind modern songs and apply this knowledge to create original chord progressions and melodies.
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Demonstrate the ability to determine a song’s key and use chord inversions and slash chords effectively.
COURSE LEVEL: Beginner - Intermediate
COURSE TYPE: Special Topic / Instructed by individuals who can offer a dynamic exchange of skill-building and experimental theory/pedagogy.
EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS:
• A working keyboard (preferably 61 keys or greater)
• Textbook: Alfred’s Basic Adult All-In-One Course: Book 1 (Comb Bound Book) Available on Amazon and Alfred's Books
PRICE: $399 USD
HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
HEAR ME NOW?
INSTRUCTOR: COFLO
COURSE LEVEL:
Students should already have a fundamental working knowledge of their DAW and understand fundamental language / vocabulary as it pertains to using a DAW. They do not need to be advanced users or producers. If a student has enough working knowledge of their DAW to be able to ask questions of “google” or “chatgpt” and understands the language used in the answer; then they will grow from this course. Students with more advanced understanding of post production methods for music can still find benefit in this course; but the aim of this course is to target students that are making music and want the next steps/exercises to shape their songs into something that will work in a club environment. This course generally targets “new” to “intermediate” artists/producers/engineers.
PRICE: $399 USD
Coflo brings a true dancer's touch to house music. A lifelong student of American house dance and the Afro-Brazilian martial art Capoeira, he brings decades of movement experience into his musical creations. Their musical expression aims to create full-body sonic experiences, inspiring and instigating creative movement and elevating the dancer's response as its own true artform.
Coflo's original productions and remixes can be found on many staple house music imprints, such as Osunlade's Yoruba Records, Ocha Records, Joe Claussell and Ron Trent's Sacred Medicine, Local Talk, and many more. Coflo has had numerous #1singles including a remix on Nervous Records for the maestro Louie Vega's "How He Works."
His passion and energy for the arts is relentless as he remains forever a student, learning and growing with each passing year.
Post Production Methodology, Finalizing Your Song For The Club
“Underground doesn’t mean it’s a rough draft”. -Coflo
HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:
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Computer
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Near Field Monitors and/or Headphones
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to help producers take their tracks from “almost there” to fully finished. Focusing on the fundamentals of post-production, students will build a clear, practical methodology for shaping the details that make a mix truly shine.
We'll break down essential concepts like frequency masking, subtractive EQ, multiband and sidechain compression, stereo imaging, gain staging, parallel processing, saturation, limiting, and more—always through the lens of how these tools apply specifically to finishing music for clubs, festivals, and real-world sound systems.
Through hands-on sessions, collaborative listening, project feedback, and in-depth analysis of real mixes, students will develop both their technical instincts and creative decision-making. The goal? To confidently finalize tracks that translate with power, clarity, and vibe—without sacrificing artistic intent just to be “technically right.”
Think of this course as a sonic workout. There’s no magic button—just consistent reps that sharpen your ear, expand your vocabulary, and train your instincts. These methods are here to help you develop both technically and creatively, giving you the tools to express your musical ideas with more impact and intention. As your understanding deepens, so will your ability to ask the right questions, find the right solutions, and make the right moves in your mix.
Just like learning an instrument or writing better songs, your sound gets stronger through practice. The more you work it out, the more you’ll grow into a true sonic tracksmith.
DATES & TIMES:
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Class Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 1PM EST USA
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Schedules are subject to change. Changes to the schedule will be communicated to students in a timely manner by the instructor or one of UMA’s team members.
LEARNING OUTCOME: Upon completion of this course, students will have reliably demonstrated the ability to utilize specialized techniques, equipment, and software.
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DAW (i.e. Logic, Ableton etc..)
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Multi-band EQ with Spectrum Analyzer (all modern DAWs come with this)
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Multiband Compressor with sidechain capabilities (This one is free , not a compressor but dynamic EQ and give similar behaviors - https://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova/)
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Glue Compressor (wide-single band compressor) (most DAWs have this built in, but many free available)
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Saturator/Excitor (most DAWs have them included, but also MANY free plugins available)
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Correlation Meter (phase correlation, most DAWs have one included)(this one is free: https://www.izotope.com/en/products/ozone-imager.html)
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Image/Stereo Widener/Stereo Width Controller (most DAW’s have one of these included).
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Utility tool with Mono/Stereo switch (most DAWs have one included)
COURSE TYPE: Specialized Skill
Instructed by individuals or organizations, that can offer skill-building in specialized techniques or equipment.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
Creating Balance and Space
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Students will learn to apply frequency masking and subtractive EQ techniques to create clarity and separation between different elements in their mix.
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Students will demonstrate the ability to control the stereo image and use gain staging to balance the levels of different tracks.
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Students will engage in hands-on exercises to practice parallel processing and understand its impact on creating space in a mix.
Creating Consistency
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Students will explore the use of multi-band compression and side-chain compression to achieve consistent dynamics across their productions.
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Students will participate in group discussions to identify and address common consistency issues in existing project studies.
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Students will develop skills in gluing techniques to ensure a cohesive and unified sound throughout their tracks.
Creating Power and Feeling
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Students will experiment with limiting, saturation, and coloring to enhance the energy and emotional impact of their productions.
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Students will receive project feedback to refine their approach to creating powerful and emotive soundscapes.
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Students will understand how to use creative problem-solving to maintain the emotional integrity of their music without sacrificing technical precision.
Listening and Finalizing
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Students will practice critical listening skills to identify areas for improvement in their mixes.
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Students will learn finalization techniques to ensure their productions translate well on large PA systems, such as those found in nightclubs and festival stages.
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Students will complete hands-on exercises to apply final adjustments and polish their tracks for professional release.
HERE'S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
Don’t miss out on the chance to join us on this educational journey.
Secure your spot today and take the first step towards securing your spot in these UMA courses today!
If you have more questions about our Online Spring Semester, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) on our About Page.
For further inquiries, please email us at info@undergroundmusicacademy.com
