Join-A-Band

at Music Makers!

Music Makers’ Join-A-Band Workshops are NYC’s top-tier adult band ensemble experience.

Our groups are designed to sharpen your skills, deepen your musical understanding, and help you sound better together.

Come explore multiple approaches to a song, build confidence as a player, and stretch your musical vocabulary under the guidance of a seasoned, pro-level instructor.

We’ll break down songs from the inside out—working on beginnings, endings, solos, grooves, and transitions. You’ll refine your technique, gain control over tone and feel, and learn how to lock in with others to create a tighter, more dynamic band sound.

At the end of your cycle, you’ll take the stage with your band at one of NYC’s most famous live music venues, and perform for friends, family, and beyond!

Plus, you'll get full access to our student portal, where you'll find all class materials, recordings, and resources to help you stay inspired and on track between sessions.

Your Moment Onstage

Watch our Workshops in-action!

Our bands get the chance to play at premier venues throughout New York City as part of our Performance Showcases!

Check out our available workshops below!

Perform on Friday, 7/24 @ The Bitter End!

STRANGE MAGIC with Evan Macaluso

POP ROCK SPECTACLE

Step into a world where bold songwriting meets larger-than-life sound—this workshop explores the imaginative, genre-blurring side of classic pop rock, where studio craft and stage energy collide. We’ll spotlight artists like Electric Light Orchestra, Queen, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Supertramp, alongside boundary-pushers who helped shape the era’s expansive sound.
As a band-focused experience, we’ll dig into layered arrangements, dynamic shifts, and the interplay between rhythm, harmony, and texture that gives this music its cinematic feel. From tight, groove-driven verses to explosive, harmony-stacked choruses, you’ll work on building performances that feel immersive, detailed, and powerful without losing clarity.
If you’re into ambitious songwriting, unexpected twists, and music that feels as big as it sounds, this workshop is all about capturing that “strange magic” where creativity, precision, and pure pop instinct meet.
Additional artists may include: Electric Light Orchestra, Queen, Elton John, Billy Joel, Supertramp, David Bowie, 10cc, Genesis, The Cars, Roxy Music, Alan Parsons Project, and Peter Gabriel.
Workshop Level: Intermediate
1 PAYMENT OF $900 OR 3 PAYMENTS OF $300.00
MONDAYS
6/1, 6/8, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20 (6:30pm-8:30pm)
PERFORMANCE: 7/24 @ The Bitter End
Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Other

Register Now!

FUTURE FREQUENCY with Anna Solomon

NEW WAVE & SYNTH POP

Step into a neon-lit soundscape where analog synths, angular guitars, and bold experimentation redefined pop music. In this workshop, we’ll explore the cutting edge of late ’70s and ’80s new wave, featuring innovators like Talking Heads, Depeche Mode, Duran Duran, and The Cars.
We’ll break down the driving rhythms, synth textures, and minimalist yet infectious songwriting that propelled new wave from underground clubs to mainstream airwaves. Expect to dive into sound design basics, rhythmic concepts, and the artistic risks that gave this genre its futuristic edge. If you’re into quirky hooks, electronic innovation, and genre-bending creativity, this workshop will tune you into the future frequency.
Additional artists may include: Blondie, The Police, Elvis Costello, New Order, Tears for Fears, A Flock of Seagulls, Simple Minds, Eurythmics, Gary Numan, The Human League, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, and more!
Workshop Level: Beginner+ to Intermediate
1 PAYMENT OF $900 OR 3 PAYMENTS OF $300.00
TUESDAYS
6/2, 6/9, 6/16, 6/23, 6/30, 7/7, 7/14, 7/21 (6:30pm-8:30pm)
PERFORMANCE: 7/24 @ The Bitter End
Vocals, Guitar, Guitar, Keys, Bass, Other

Register Now!

THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE with Sharon Heller

GROOVE & PRECISION

Step into something timeless—this workshop traces a path from the groove-driven feel of the ’70s into the sleek, refined precision of the ’80s and beyond. We’ll explore music that endures not because it’s flashy, but because it’s intentional, expressive, and impeccably crafted.
As a band-focused experience, we’ll zero in on clarity over complexity—dialing in dynamics, tightening rhythmic interplay, and delivering parts with taste, control, and purpose. Expect a deep dive into feel, pocket, and the subtle musical decisions that elevate great songs into classics.
We’ll spotlight the signature sounds of artists like Toto, Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, and Hall & Oates, unpacking what makes their music so polished, powerful, and unforgettable. If you’re ready to refine your musicianship and lock into something truly elevated, this workshop is all about playing smart, playing tight, and playing timeless.
Additional artists may include: Toto, Steely Dan, Earth, Wind & Fire, Hall & Oates, Michael McDonald, Boz Scaggs, The Doobie Brothers, and more!
Workshop Level: Intermediate to Intermediate+
1 PAYMENT OF $900 OR 3 PAYMENTS OF $300.00
WEDNESDAYS
6/3, 6/10, 6/17, 6/24, 7/1, 7/8, 7/15, 7/22 (6:30pm-8:30pm)
PERFORMANCE: 7/24 @ The Bitter End
Guitar, Keys, Other

Register Now!

HARMONIC HARVEST with Anna Solomon

FOLK ROCK ROOTS

Step into a sound where storytelling meets timeless groove. In this workshop, we’ll trace the rich lineage of folk rock—spotlighting artists like Bob Dylan, The Byrds, Joni Mitchell, and Neil Young.
Together, we’ll explore how acoustic traditions fused with electric instrumentation to create a genre defined by poetic lyricism, warm harmonies, and organic arrangements. From fingerpicked textures to expressive 12-string guitars, you’ll gain insight into the musical and cultural elements that made folk rock both intimate and expansive. If you’re drawn to evocative songwriting, rich vocal blends, and roots-driven soundscapes, this workshop will feel like home.
Additional artists may include: Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Simon & Garfunkel, The Band, Carole King, James Taylor, America, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, and more!
**This workshop can include multiple vocalists, for maximum harmonies!
Workshop Level: Beginner+ to Intermediate
1 PAYMENT OF $900 OR 3 PAYMENTS OF $300.00
THURSDAYS
6/4, 6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/2, 7/9, 7/16, 7/23 (6:30pm-8:30pm)
PERFORMANCE: 7/24 @ The Bitter End
Vocals, Guitar, Keys, Other