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Best Music Workshops In Orange County

The Collective Sound header
(credit: The Collective Sound)

Orange County is a major cultural hub for music and the arts in Southern California. Music venues such as the Honda Center, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, and the House of Blues all call the OC home. It's no wonder that Orange County has produced the likes of Gwen Stefani, Bonnie Raitt, and Jeff Buckley. This season, kids and adults aspiring to be the next pop or rock sensation can check out music workshops being offered throughout Orange County.

The Collective Sound
(credit: The Collective Sound)

The Collective Sound
2000 Oxford Ave.
Fullerton, CA 92831
(714) 943-8482
www.thecollectivesound.com

Young musicians under 18 years of age can sign up for The Collective Sound's Summer Music Academy. This three-week music camp teaches kids how to form their own band and write original music and takes them through the steps of professionally recording their songs. The creative process is further enhanced by the camp's touring component. Students get to perform their original music before a live audience in multiple cities around Orange County. This unique opportunity teaches musicians the logistics of traveling as a band, sound checks, concert promotion and even creating a music video. The Collective Sound draws hundreds of participants nationwide to its music camp locations each year. It strives to push the boundaries of music education and provide an authentic musical experience to kids.

RockStars Music Studios
(credit: RockStars Music Studios)

RockStars Music Studios
18582 Beach Blvd., Suite 18
Huntington Beach, CA 92648
(714) 962-8525
www.rockstarsmusic.net

Musicians haven't fully mastered their instruments until they have experienced performing in a live band. RockStars' live band workshops allow musicians of similar ages and skill levels to perform together and learn the secrets of performing from professional musicians. Participants will be exposed to all genres of music including Motown, classic rock, pop and alternative. Workshops are on-going and interested musicians have regular opportunities to audition. Perhaps the most unique component of the live band workshops is the opportunity to perform in a RockStars Live Concert at some of the hottest venues in Orange County including the Bella Terra Amphitheater and Huntington Beach Pier Plaza.

Related: Best Live Music Venues In Orange County

camp jam
(credit: Camp Jam)

Camp Jam's Rock Music Day Camp
Harbor Day School
3443 Pacific View Drive
Corona del Mar, CA 92625
(800) 513-0930
www.campjam.com

Forget the fake jam sessions you hold with your friends on your video gaming console. Learn how to play in a real rock band by attending Camp Jam's Rock Music Day Camp. This five-day workshop teaches young musicians ages 7 through 17 how to form a band, perform on stage and market themselves. They'll also learn how to write and record music from the best music professionals in Orange County.

Sam Ash
(credit: Sam Ash Music Stores)

Sam Ash Music
14200 Beach Blvd.
Westminster, CA 92683
(714) 899-2122
www.samashmusic.com

Writing music is just the first step to becoming the next big music celebrity. In order to get your songs heard, you have to find a way to record and distribute. To help musicians make that leap, Sam Ash Music has partnered with Avid to offer workshops on the basics of digital recording. Every Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m., recording professionals at each store will show you how to create tracks, mix, and edit your songs. Best of all, the course is free.

Guitar Center
(credit: Guitar Center)

Guitar Center
606 S. Brea Blvd.
Brea, CA 92821
(714) 672-0103
www.guitarcenter.com

Guitar Center also offers free recording workshops every Saturday from 10 to 11 a.m. Digital recording experts will show you how to create music and then record them on a computer. Learn how to create effects, work with virtual instruments, lay down basic sound tracks and mix your music. You'll learn the basics of popular recording tools such as GarageBand and Avid Pro Tools.

Related: Best Places To Discover New Music In Los Angeles

Truc Dever is a freelance writer covering all things Orange County. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.

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