On April 21, GRAMMY U members and industry professionals gathered at the Times Center in New York City for the 2024 GRAMMY U Conference presented by Amazon Music.
The GRAMMY U team unfolded an action-packed and motivating day of panels covering everything from Broadway to studio albums with Ben Platt, a performance workshop with Billy Porter, and live music production on late night television with Remi Wolf.
Once members arrived, they jumped straight into professional development workshops and mixers. Attendees visited a career center with activations including a professional headshot station, resume review, and speed networking with local music professionals and members of the Recording Academy. These collaborations allowed for the next generation of music creatives and professionals to gain first-hand experience with mentors across various business sectors and musical genres.
Mastercard was also a participating sponsor of the 2024 GRAMMY U Conference.
Below are five impactful things we learned from the 2024 GRAMMY U Conference:
Shed Your Armor To Embrace Vulnerability
Rob Kim/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
After a two-year performance run on Broadway starring in "Dear Evan Hansen," Ben Platt shifted his priority toward making original music and sharing personal storylines.
In "Live! With Ben Platt," moderated by actor and long-time best friend of Platt’s, Beanie Feldstein, the pair discussed Platt’s bold choice to step back from portraying fictional characters on stage, to now releasing original music with his upcoming album Honeymind.
"The gratification of connecting with your own experiences and seeing people really use the songs in their lives is so infinitely beyond the worries," Platt shared.
Crossing over from a Broadway stage to pop music, Platt suggested that a key to success is trusting one’s vocal technique and individual sound to translate your perspective.
Consistently Perfect The Fundamentals
Rob Kim/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
During the performance workshop "Standing in the Spotlight with Billy Porter," GRAMMY, Emmy, and two-time Tony Award-Winner Billy Porter sat down with SiriusXM Program Director Julie James. They discussed the importance of performance critique in helping artists perfect their craft and captivate audiences, as well as strategies for maintaining overall health while on tour.
Porter mentioned that while critiques are important for artists to continue improving their vocal abilities, knowing how to meet personal needs and goals is just as important.
"As you sift through [critiques], you have the right to choose what’s right for you and what isn’t," Porter said before posing the question, "What notes are good for your vision, and which aren’t?"
Channel Your Inner Celebrity Both On And Off The Stage
For the first time, the GRAMMY U Conference included a performance workshop in programming and it provided a fresh perspective from the best in the business. GRAMMY U National Membership Representative Roy Gantz sang "Someone to Watch Over Me," accompanied on piano by Tedd Firth, and received real-time feedback from Billy Porter in front of a live audience.
"From the minute you hit the stage, to when you get to that mic[rophone], it’s about your presence. Keep connecting with us [the audience]," Porter told Gantz.
Porter emphasized the importance of mastering the original melody and musical notations of a song before incorporating riffs and embellishments of popular pieces, and praised Gantz for his advanced technique and interpretation.
"Believe in what you have to offer. In honoring your authenticity, you teach people on the outside how to receive you," Porter advised the audience.
A Great Musical Takes Time
Photo: Rob Kim/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
The "Sounds of the Stage" panel conducted a candid conversation about the behind-the-scenes process of composing and writing music for musicals.
"You can’t bring it to the stage until the bones are set, until things are solidified," said David Lai, Co-Founder of Park Avenue Artists. "It’s worth spending the time to use the resources we have to work your material."
Kurt Deutsch, Senior Vice President at Warner Music Entertainment and Theatrical Ventures, described the nuances of recording a pop album versus a cast performance record which have quick turnaround times. Often, they are recorded in a single day-long session due to budgeting costs for the orchestra and cast members involved.
The main goal of a cast album is to allow audiences to relive the emotional experience they had in the theater setting, and for newcomers to still be able to relate to the show’s characters and themes through a sonic medium.
Tony Award-nominated Broadway Producer Christen Price spoke about what she’s most drawn to when beginning a new theatrical project.
"Meaningful storytelling is key [and] music absolutely makes the difference. Content is queen, the story as well as the music," Price said. "Art is supposed to change what you’re doing to the point where you’re thinking about it, it’s influencing you."
Stay Vocal, Relationships Are Everything
"On the Screen: Performing On Live TV" featured panelists Yeji Cha-Beach, the Music Associate Producer on NBC’s "Late Night with Seth Meyers," Marnie Stern, former member of the 8G Band on "Seth Meyers," and pop recording artist Remi Wolf. Moderated by Siobhan Schanda, the panelists discussed the intricacies of playing on a live TV set including lighting, sound, and design choices. Wolf mentioned her preference for performing with her touring musicians and a live band.
"Put the music first and try to develop your own style,” Wolf said. "The most I’ve ever felt proud of my work was when I followed my gut.”
Stern remarked that although socializing and navigating the music industry network did not always come naturally, connecting and playing with other musicians was vital to her success as a live TV musician. She described one of the biggest differences between playing on live television and working on her own recording artistry.
"You’re selling a commercial product and your job is to entertain," Stern said. "With your own work, your job is to present your feelings and emotions. Everyone is working to further not only the artist but the network."
Cha-Beach offered guidance for aspiring TV music producers, stating, "Be curious, try as many things as you possibly can. Knowing when to say yes is just as important as knowing when to say no."
It’s safe to say GRAMMY U’s Conference in the Big Apple was a memorable one. If you missed it, catch up on the livestream here.
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