SONGWRITING & RECORDING WORKSHOPS
WE’RE FILMING OUR NEXT MUSIC VIDEO THIS SPRING!
After the success of our first music video in 2025, this spring, we’re offering 3 opportunities for young musicians to take part in producing the Creature Academy Anthem, our next epic rock ballad. From writing the lyrics and recording beats to creating costumes and developing choreography - our March workshops and Spring Break Camp give kids an incredibly unique experience to work alongside industry professionals.
The finished song and music video will premiere at our Rock the 10 Fundraiser on May 9th at Cafe Istanbul!
Scroll down to view workshop descriptions and enroll!
SONGWRITING WORKSHOP
Saturday, March 21, 1-4pm
Ages: 8-15
Sliding Scale: $10-$40
Address: 3113 Royal St, New Orleans LA 70117
Join us for an unforgettable Songwriting Workshop by the renowned musician Tif Lamson (drummer for Shania Twain and co-creator of GIVERS) alongside local producer and sound engineer Bob Gaiser, students will dive into the building blocks of songwriting—exploring structure, verses, choruses, hooks, and lyric writing. Together, we’ll draft lyrics for the Creature Academy Aanthem while also giving students the opportunity to work in small groups or individually to create original songs of their own. No songwriting experience is required—just a love for music and a spark of creativity!
ENROLL HERE
RECORDING WORKSHOP
Sunday, March 22, 1-4pm
Ages: 8-15
Sliding Scale: $10-$40
Address: Uptown - Oak St & River Rd
Step inside the magic of professional music production at an exclusive Recording Workshop for young musicians, held at Ani DiFranco’s home studio with producer Mike Napolitano. Led by renowned musician Tif Lamson alongside local producer and sound engineer Bob Gaiser, students will explore the building blocks of recording—from mic placement and tracking to layering and production—while watching professional musicians record live. Each participant will then have the opportunity to record their own musical contribution to be featured on the Creature Academy Anthem.
Designed for students with intermediate to advanced proficiency, this intimate workshop (limited to just 12 students) offers hands-on experience in a professional studio setting. Students may bring their own instruments, and select instruments—including drums—will be available for use.
ENROLL HERE
SPRING BREAK: MUSIC VIDEO CAMP
April 3-10, 8:30am-3:30pm (drop in registration available)
Extended care offered from 8am-5:30pm
Ages 7-14, Interns 16+
3113 Royal St, New Orleans
$80/day (scholarships & sliding scale available)
Our student rock stars will dive into every part of the creative filmmaking process: designing costumes, decorating shirts and jean jackets, styling hair, experimenting with makeup and face paint, exploring stop-motion animation, learning choreography, and even helping record the next track. Of course, we’ll also be whipping up some rockin’ treats in the kitchen. 🎸✨
ENROLL HERE
Meet the ARTISTS
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Tif Lamson
PRODUCER / DRUMS
Currently wrapping a three year tour as the drummer for country music artist Shania Twain, Tif Lamson is the Louisiana born co-creater of the music group known as GIVERS. The band self-produced and released an EP which led to their signing a deal with the international record company, Glassnote Records. After the release of their debut LP, IN LIGHT, the group became a staple on the national festival circuit and performed on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon and Jimmy Kimmel Live! TV Show. Tif went on to record on or be featured on artists' records such as Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Anders Osbourne, Rickie Lee Jones, Mike Dillon, Jabberwocky, and Grammy-nominated Valcour records' Rediscovering Lomax in the Evangeline Country-Lomax Tribute Compilation, alongside many others. She has worked as music director and performer in residency at The Music Box Village in New Orleans.
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James Beaumont
SAXOPHONE
James Beaumont is a New Orleans-based saxophonist originally from Britain. He's known for his tenor playing, but is equally proficient on soprano and baritone sax and playing piano on occasion. James has played extensively in the U.S. and Asia, and has arranged, recorded and performed with bands such as Sally Baby's Silver Dollars, The Subdudes, The Quickening, The Psycodelics and many more. James is highly in demand as a sideman because of his versatility, and his sound which is deeply rooted in blues and soul and also leads projects under his own name playing and singing. -
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Haruka Kikuchi
TROMBONE
Trombonist Haruka Kikuchi, known as the “Queen of Tailgate,” carries on the rich New Orleans tradition of tailgate-style trombone playing. Born in Japan, Haruka’s lifelong love of music began with the piano and violin before she discovered her true calling upon hearing an old recording of the Original Dixieland Jazz Band. That moment inspired her to take up the trombone and eventually move to New Orleans in 2014. Since then, she has performed with renowned groups such as the Shotgun Jazz Band, Shake ’Em Up Jazz Band, Preservation Hall All-Stars, Original Tuxedo Jazz Band, and Kermit Ruffins, appearing at major festivals including the North Sea, Umbria, and Edinburgh Jazz Festivals. Her work has also earned her a Grammy nomination as a contributing member of Cha Wa’s Spyboy album for Best Regional Roots Music Album at the 61st Grammy Awards. -
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LIZ KIMBROUGH
PRODUCER
Dr. Liz Kimbrough is a journalist with Mongabay who has produced videos on her international reporting projects as well as for Art Camp 504. Liz has worked professionally as a percussionist in New Orleans, tour manager for Anna Moss, and co-wrote last year's Art Camp 504 theme song. She played with Katarina Boudreaux, No Scruples, DiAnimal, Human Brass Band, Hanoun Band and a puppet punk band Taxidermy Time Machine.
