Welcome to Unity Studio.  We’re in the process of building our site, so check back often for changes.  As always, get in touch with Dani at ddiciaccio@sscc-ithaca.org to schedule time, register for a class or learn more about the program. 

NEWS
-Attention musicians, spoken word artists, storytellers, motivational speakers…any and all individuals or organizations needing studio time:  Unity Studio is offering eight free hours of recording to all community members!  Whether you’re looking to record a demo or a PSA it can be done at Unity.
-Spring 2010 classes begin January 25th and run through the week of May 24th.  Students can register for classes and join at any time throughout the semester.  All class descriptions are below. 
-Unity Studio is extremely proud to be supporting Jon “Cosmo” Kagan’s release of the EP “Pieces”.  Jon is a senior at Ithaca College and volunteers at the studio co-leading the lyric writing forum.  You can download the album for free at cosmohiphop.com.  He will be donating one half of his sales of hard copies to Unity Studio. 

 

Class Descriptions

PRO TOOLS
Middle School, Mondays 4:30-6
No Classes on February 15th and April 5th

High School, Wednesdays 4:30-6
No Classes on February 17th and April 7th

This class will be offered twice during the week, once for High School students and once for Middle School Students.  Depending on the previous experience of registered students these classes may be split into beginning and intermediate levels.  This class will take a look at the basic hardware and software involved with Pro Tools.   We will have guest instructors and field trips throughout the semester.  To be taught by Dani DiCiaccio and Eric Fernandez. 

 

GROUP VOICE
All Ages, Mondays 6-7
No Classes on February 15th or April 5th

The group voice class is open to all students who have in interest in singing, from beginning to advanced levels.  The focus over the course of the first semester will be to overcome whatever stage fright one may have about performing in front of others.  Breath control, posture and individual style will all be emphasized.  The course outline will develop as the class progresses so that the instructor may evaluate each student and develop the course based on the existing abilities of students.   This class will be taught by Dani DiCiaccio.

 

BEATMAKING
All Ages, Tuesdays 4:30-6
No Classes on February 16th or April 6th
The Beat Making class is for any student interested in learning how to put sounds together in order to create a song.  We will be using computer programs such as Garage Band and Reason with small USB keyboards to produce music.  This class will cover quantizing, editing, keyboard usage, sampling and pre-installed patterns.   Above all, students will be encouraged to be creative and have fun. To be taught by Dani DiCiaccio and Jon Simpson.

 

LYRIC WRITING FORUM
High School Only, Tuesdays 6-7:30
No Classes on February 16th or April 6th

This class is open only to High School students. The lyrics forum is a discussion-based environment with two components: exploration of existing lyrics and sharing of original material.  Students will offer each other constructive criticism and learn to think critically about what they’re hearing on the radio.  This class may contain mature content.  To be taught by Dani DiCiaccio and Jon “Cosmo” Kagan.

 

LISTENING PARTY
Open to students and adults
Will meet: February 10th, March 10th, April 14th, May 12th

This event is open to all in our community.  People are invited to come to the studio with new music they’ve discovered or oldies they want to hear again.  Each party will have a pre-determined theme.  We will begin by listening to songs and discussion will follow.  Discussions can be about current pop trends, gender in music, political songs over the years and we can also just talk about music we like!  The themes will be announced on the Tompkins County Human Resources Listserv, this website and the Southside Community Center online calendar.  

 

Community Recording
All community members are invited to take advantage of eight free recording hours at Unity Studio.  Those wanting to record can do so with a volunteer or student engineer.  This is a great deal for folks who need to record a PSA, a school project, a demo for your band or an aural history of a loved one.  Once the eight hours has been used there will be a minimal fee, yet to be determined.  This money will go towards advertising, publicity and materials for the studio.

VOLUNTEER & STAFF BIO'S

Jon "Cosmo" Kagan (Volunteer)

Jon Kagan, also musically known as “Cosmo”, is an emcee from New Jersey. He is currently a senior at Ithaca College and is majoring in

Audio Production. Over the summer he worked on an EP called “Pieces” which was released in December. He is looking forward to

working with aspiring songwriters and helping them out with their music while also learning from them. Cosmo knows that every teacher is

a student.

 

Eric Fernandez (Volunteer)

Eric is a senior at Ithaca College studying Audio Production.  Originally from Albany, Eric spent the last summer in Ithaca during which he

became involved with Southside.  Being a musician himself, he hopes to one day work in a studio where he can record others and

develop his own skills.  He has taken several classes on Pro Tools as school and is eager to hear the projects the students will create in

upcoming classes.

 

Jon Simpson (Volunteer)

Jon is a sophomore at Cornell University.  He is studying business in the Applied Economics and Management program but has taken many music

production classes and is very familiar with Reason and Pro Tools.  Jon has also produced/written songs for artists and has been musically inclined for

a long time starting with drum and piano lessons at a young age.  Jon is looking forward to take part in the Unity Studio program at Southside. 

 

 

Dani DiCiaccio (Unity Music Studio Coordinator)

Dani is so excited to be building the Unity Studio program at Southside.  A 2006 graduate of Ithaca College, she has been studying,

performing and grooving to music since childhood.  Dani has toured regionally and nationally as both a back-up and lead singer and

worked in-studio with bands to coach and produce vocals.  In addition to her musical side she loves to hang out with students of all ages,

which makes this position at Southside pretty much a dream job.  She is looking forward to expanding Unity Studio’s presence in the Ithaca

community by collaborating with local musicians, engineers, educators, organizers and music enthusiasts.

 

UNITY MUSIC STUDIO MEDIA