FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10th

9:45-10:00
WELCOME to the Independent Music Conference/lLA! (Noel Ramos. Director, Independent Music Conference)

10:00-11:30
"Media Challenge" PANEL (John Kerecz, Toni Koch, Annette Conlon, Ritch Esra, Noel Ramos - moderator) In the face of corporate consolidation, rapid changes and dizzying technological advances, what's an indie to do? How important is airplay these days, and how do you get some? What are the best ways to get press and media coverage? What are the best ways to promote via the media. The goals formerly obtainable only through radio airplay are now accessible to Indies through a variety of opportunities created by the new technologies. This panel will also discuss leveraging the "new radio" for exposure and networking through the media itself.

11:30-1:00
"Meet the Producers" PANEL (Mandi Martin, David Kershenbaum, John M, Noel Ramos - moderator) A group of music producers in one room! This panel needs no further explanation.

1:00-3:00
"But it Sounded So Much Better at Home" - Vocal Technique & Conscious and Unconscious Aspects of Singing WORKSHOP (Steven Memel) If you ever feel like "sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't", this class is for you. Singing is about communicating. It's story telling with music. The last thing you want to be thinking about when you're performing is whether or not you can depend on your voice being there. Steven Memel will help you understand technically, on both the conscious and unconscious levels, what causes inconsistency and what you can do to change it. He will work with participants and have a Q & A. Feeling secure about your voice is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

3:00-4:30
"From Artist to Audience: Mastering for Maximum Appeal" PANEL (Stephen Marsh, Evren Goknar, Pete Lyman, Ron Boustead) Top engineers in their field discuss their tested approaches to giving artists the professional edge in today's predominantly digital marketplace.

4:30-6:00
"Management" PANEL (Mandi Martin, John Robertson, Mike Bajrami, Noel Ramos, moderator) One of the most critical decisions an indie artist can make is whether or not to hire a manager. This panel will help with the decision-making process by providing detailed information about the artist/management relationship as well as Q&A with managers and other experts.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11th

10:00-11:30
"Publishing, Fact and Fiction" PANEL (Rob Case, Mandi Martin, Noel Ramos - moderator) The complex business of publishing will be discussed including: role of the publisher, benefit of their expertise to the songwriter, writer's share, publisher's share, statutory rates, the functions of the PROs, sync licensing, master use licensing, artist royalties (related but often confused with publishing), as well as which royalties are paid by radio. The myths that you should never assign or *give up" your publishing interests, and that artists should co-publish their songs or "retain 25% for nothing" will also be discussed.

11:30-12:30
"Online Marketing and Promotions for the Indie Artist" WORKSHOP (Chip Schutzman) This workshop will give you the basics on setting up your record online through a digital distributer and learning the basics of marketing in the world of Web 2.0. Workshop will work on how to pitch your music to reviewers and online radio stations and how to take advantage of the blogging hemisphere for your new music release.

11:30-12:30
A Drummer Charting to Success WORKSHOP (Kyle Schweikhard) Learning how to create a drum chart is a essential part of being a drummer. Creating a drum chart allows a drummer to grow and strengthen in their craft. The benefits are tremendous and mind blowing what it will do to your playing, sense of time, feel, and awareness.

11:30-1:00
Gilli Moon's Secrets to DIY Marketing and Promotion Success WORKSHOP (Gilli Moon) Define success on your own terms... professional artist development, staying motivated, how to develop the right relationships, marketing and promotional tools, and overcoming obstacles. Gilli Moon hosts an MPWR (empower) Workshop to motivate you beyond creativity, into the business world of the Professional Artist. This workshop will help you take the next step with your artistry - guiding, motivating, encouraging and providing tools, tips and solutions to take your artistry into the world of the entertainment industry. Plus tips on indie promotional and marketing strategies to put philosophy into practice.

11:30-1:00
Risky Business - The Performer as Risk Taker WORKSHOP (Steven Memel) What does "going the extra mile" really mean? Is playing it safe really safe? What do the great performers and artists all do? In this unique workshop, explore with singing and performance coach Steven Memel what risk taking is all about. Look at what risk takers think and do. Volunteers will engage in performance exercises, vocal exercises and some written and group exercises... but only if they want to risk it! Oh... and just watching is permitted too.

1:00-2:30
"Women in Music" PANEL (Sheena Metal, Annette Conlon, Mandi Martin, Gilli Moon, Jenny McPhee, Elisabeth Howard) The image of a woman in music today and how that image (and you) is perceived/portrayed/buoyed by the media. What can you do about it? What is your role in the creation of your music? Are you the passenger or the driver? What's your motivation? How to be assertive without being perceived as bitchy.

2:30-3:30
"Basics of Music Publishing" WORKSHOP (Rob Case & Toni Koch) The New A&R Scouts of the music industry. Learn the basic steps of the music publishing business including a detailed outline that every songwriter, composer, producer should know: Agreements, Studios, Budgets, and Copyrights. Toni Koch, Toni K Music Promo, participates in the workshop with Rob to offer creative ways for indie artist promotion and marketing of your music once published.

2:30-3:30
Achieving Success With Your Music WORKSHOP (Sydney Alston) How to package and promote your music and get the most from CD and download sales.

2:30-4:00
"Sing with Vocal Power!" WORKSHOP (Elisabeth Howard) Workshop features the Elisabeth Howard Vocal Power Method. Vocal techniques for singing in authentic styles from Jazz to Music Theater, with vocal demonstrations using keyboard and CD examples of the pros who use the techniques specified. Topics of discussion would be - * Registers for both females and males: head, chest, belt, mix * Vibrato - four types - flutter, throat, shimmer, diaphragmatic * Vocal colors - Head, mask, mouth, chest. * Power and projection - vocal cord adduction for safe singing * Dynamics - crescendo, decrescendo for expression * Effects used by professional singers "throat cry," "throat laugh," "Back l; "creaky door" * Improvisation using the blues and pentatonic scales. * Master class - individual work with singers on songs in any style. They can be on CD back up or with keyboard or even a cappella.

4:00-5:30
"Street Teaming, Buzz Building, Merch, Expanding Your Revenue Streams" PANEL (Toni Koch, Sheena Metal, Jess Blue, Jay Warsinske, Randy Young, Mike Bajrami, Noel Ramos - moderator) Members of the promotional side of the market will discuss the importance of incorporating a serious street teaming effort into your overall indie business efforts. Methods for attracting street teamers, rewarding them, managing the program and brainstorming other new promotional ideas will be highlights. This brainstorming session will include ideas for increasing CD sales, creating alternate revenue streams, and expanding overall sales and income efforts. Diversifying your revenue streams gives you much more security than if all your income is based on only one or two sources. Seek opportunities that can lead to supplemental income and round out an indie career.

5:30-6:30
Songcraft Tune-up Tools WORKSHOP (John Braheny) John Braheny isn't big on rules for songwriting, He believes that if you understand the principles that make listeners respond to and remember songs you can make great art that also has great commercial appeal. Here he gives you some overall principles, song structure and dynamics basics and some techniques the pros use to make their songs stand out. How to handle the "second verse curse." Learn to critique your own songs.

5:30-6:30
Rhymecology: Rhyming Skillz WORKSHOP (J. Walker) This is an interactive workshop where J.Walker will introduce different rhyming exercises that will test and teach you to continuously come up with creative rhymes. J.Walker will also be discussing the importance of multi-syllabic rhyme schemes and outside the box concepts. Although hip-hop based, every aspiring song writer can gain from this.

5:30-7:00
"DISCourse" CLOSED PANEL (Steven Memel, Rob Case, Jenny McPhee, Randy Young, Toni Koch, Noel Ramos - moderator) ONLY A unique listening and discussion group where artists can get real world feedback on their CDs. Panelists will review submissions in a closed session (panelists only), in order to provide more effective and practical feedback during the DISCourse panel presentation. CDs and press kits MUST be submitted for review no later than Saturday, October 11th at 5:00 at the registration table. OPEN PANEL will be on Sunday, October 12th 10:00-12:00.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12th

10:00-12:00
"DISCourse" OPEN PANEL (Steven Memel, Rob Case, Jenny McPhee, Randy Young, Toni Koch, Noel Ramos - moderator) A unique listening and discussion group where artists can get real world feedback on their CDs. Panelists will review submissions in a closed session (panelists only), in order to provide more effective and practical feedback during the DISCourse panel presentation. CDs and press kits MUST be submitted for review no later than Saturday, October 11th at 5:00 at the registration table. OPEN PANEL will be on Sunday, October 12th 10:00-12:00.

12:00-1:30
"Indie Booking and Full Spectrum Touring" PANEL (Randy Young, Jenny McPhee, Chris Jay, Graham Kurzner, Noel Ramos - moderator) Many indies realize the importance of watching their budget and utilizing DIY methodology for their booking and touring efforts. But what's the point of touring? This panel takes it to the next level. Maximize your effectiveness: gig-swapping, interviews, airplay, promotion, retail. Time is precious and touring is a massive undertaking; learn to tie in all the critical elements. These experienced road warriors will help you make the most of your efforts.

2:00-6:00
"Songsalive! Songcamp" (Gilli Moon & other SongsAlive! presenters) A 4-hour, high powered, focused songwriting camp where songwriters and composers can gain valuable feedback on their music, and collaborate in co-writing with other writers under the guidance of special Songsalive! songwriter mentors. Songcamp starts with a critique session on your songs, followed by an intensive co-writing session where songwriters are split into breakout groups under the guidance of mentors to co-write and deliver a completed song. This song will then be performed to the full group and music business execs at the end of the session. To participate, sign up in advance for the Songcamp during the conference at the Songsalive! booth.

2:00-3:00
Looking for Press in ALL the Right Places WORKSHOP (Noel Ramos) Noel has published a music magazine for 20 years. He'll relate his experiences and results of surveys he's conducted with media peers. What grabs their attention? What convinces them to print one band's story over another? What do booking agents like to see? What else should you keep in mind? Has the advent of EPKs changed things? These answers and more from the perspective of those you want to target. Examples of press kits will be shown, and a free hand-out of Noel's 7-page "Press Kit Primer" will also be available for all workshop attendees.

2:00-4:00
"What To Do With Your Hands, Legs, Eyes, Hips, Spleen and the Rest of Your Body - A Vocal Performance Workshop" WORKSHOP (Steven Memel) If you've ever asked yourself these questions this workshop is with you... even if you've never asked the one about your spleen. Most performers feel at a loss to some degree for how to deal with their bodies on stage - especially when they feel stuck behind a piano, guitar or mic. Vocal technique and performance coach Steven Memel will give you concrete solutions to these questions and many other in this exciting and entertaining interactive workshop.

4:30-5:30
Alternative Revenue Sources PANEL(G. F. Miely, Bill Holmes, Mike Bajrami, Jay Warsinske, Noel Ramos-moderator) Even when the economy is healthy, it is important for indies to diversify their revenue streams and cultivate a variety of income sources. This panel will present ideas for alternative sources of revenue.

6:00-7:00
"Songsalive! Songcamp" PERFORMANCES