YOU KNOW HOW TO PLAY. NOW LEARN HOW TO CREATE.
This page will take about 60 seconds to read—but it could reshape how you (or someone you care about) approaches music as a creative artist.
If you’re between the ages of 13 and adult—and you’ve ever felt like you were meant to do more than just play other people’s music—this is for you.
Because deep down, you don’t just want to perform.
You want to create.
You want to turn melodies, riffs, and progressions into something real.
Music that moves people. Music that sounds like you.
But if you’re not a vocalist—or not sure where to begin—it’s easy to feel stuck.
You’ve got the skills. The ideas. The drive.
What’s missing is a process.
That’s why we built the Music Creation Academy for Instrumentalists—a program designed for musicians who want to take their playing further.
We give you the tools, structure, and support to go from loose ideas to fully produced tracks—whether instrumental or with vocals added through artist collaborations inside MCA.
You’ll get weekly studio sessions, personal coaching, access to production tools, a dashboard to stay organized, and even an AI music assistant available 24/7.
BUILD YOUR SOUND THROUGH INSTRUMENTAL CREATION. AND IF YOUR MUSIC CALLS FOR A VOICE, WE'LL HELP YOU FIND ONE THROUGH OUR MCA SINGER NETWORK.
Let’s be honest—one of the biggest roadblocks for skilled instrumentalists isn’t talent.
It’s this:
“I don’t sing… so how do I finish a song?”
We’ve seen it over and over again—musicians with years of skill and deep creativity... who stop short of releasing music because they don’t feel comfortable singing.
They’ve got full arrangements in their head. Riffs that move people. Melodies that could carry an entire track.
But without vocals, it’s easy to feel stuck.
That’s why we built the Music Creation Academy for Instrumentalists—to finally solve this.
We give you two powerful paths forward:
🎹 Lean into creating full, release-ready instrumentals—because not every song needs lyrics to be complete.
🎤 Collaborate with our MCA Vocalist Network—when you're ready to add vocals, we help match you with singers who fit your style and sound.
You don’t need to be a vocalist to be a creator.
You just need the right system—and a team that’s got your back.
Inside MCA, you’ll learn how to record and arrange your ideas, structure full tracks, and produce your music with purpose.
Weekly studio sessions, expert coaching, optional collaborations, and 24/7 creative tools keep you moving from start to finish.
Because creativity shouldn’t stall out at the “demo” phase.
And your ideas deserve to become actual music—vocals or not.
You’re not here to just practice.
You’re here to create.
And we’re here to help you do it—on your terms.
WHO IS MUSIC CREATION ACADEMY FOR AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Music Creation Academy isn’t just a lesson program—it’s a complete creative system built for instrumentalists who want to move beyond practicing and start actually creating and releasing original music.
Whether you're composing for guitar, piano, strings, or synths—MCA helps you develop your sound, finish your songs, and gain the confidence to share your work with the world.
And if you ever want to add vocals? Our network of MCA singers is ready when you are.
With real structure, 1-on-1 coaching, and the tools to stay in momentum, you’ll finally stop wondering what to do with your ideas—and start building something you’re proud of.
Here’s how it works:
1. EXPLORE
Work side-by-side with your MCA coach to shape your ideas into something real. We’ll help you develop your unique sound, learn how to structure your music, and unlock your creative direction—whether you’re composing full instrumentals or planning a vocal collaboration.
2. CREATE
Use your weekly studio sessions to turn riffs and sketches into real arrangements. You’ll get hands-on support with recording, layering, and developing your track—so each session moves you forward with focus.
3. DEVELOP
As your music takes shape, our team helps evolve your sound by adding instrumentation, layering in production elements, and coordinating vocalist collabs if desired. Your tracks grow between sessions—so you stay in flow while learning how great music comes together.
4. RELEASE
We’ll guide you through the full process of finishing and releasing your music—mastering your track, formatting it for streaming platforms, and getting it ready for Spotify, Apple Music, and more.
5. GROW INDEPENDENCE
You’ll build real creative confidence. With your own dashboard, on-demand training videos, custom home studio guidance, and 24/7 AI support, you’ll be able to keep creating on your own terms—whenever inspiration hits.
This isn’t just about making music in a vacuum.
It’s about turning skill into finished songs, and finished songs into momentum.
If you’re ready to stop waiting on vocals—or stop wondering what comes next—this is the path to build your voice through your instrument.
Let’s create music that moves people—whether it has lyrics or not.
WHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR MCA INSTRUMENTALIST PROGRAM? STRUCTURE, MENTORSHIP, TOOLS, AND THE FREEDOM TO COLLAB WHEN YOU CHOOSE.
🎧 ACCESS TO MCA HIGH-LEVEL COACH/PRODUCER
Work 1-on-1 with a coach who understands how to turn instrumental skills into finished songs. You’ll get personalized guidance to help you shape your sound, expand your musical ideas, and gain the confidence to take your creations further.
YOU’RE NOT GUESSING—YOU’RE GROWING WITH A CREATIVE PARTNER WHO HELPS YOU MOVE FORWARD ON YOUR TERMS.
🎹 WEEKLY IN-PERSON MCA STUDIO SESSIONS (48 SESSIONS A YEAR)
Each week, you’ll walk into a focused creative session where your ideas get built, refined, and developed in real time. Whether you're composing, layering parts, or arranging full sections—this is where progress happens consistently.
YOU’LL LEARN BY DOING—WITH STRUCTURE, SUPPORT, AND MOMENTUM YOU CAN FEEL.
🎺 BEHIND-THE-SCENES INSTRUMENTATION & VOCAL COLLABORATION COORDINATION
While you're building ideas between sessions, our team helps your tracks evolve—adding instrumentation, shaping arrangements, or coordinating vocalist collaborations if your song calls for it. You stay focused on creating, while your music keeps moving.
YOUR MUSIC GROWS EVEN WHEN YOU’RE NOT IN THE ROOM—AND YOU’LL UNDERSTAND HOW EVERY ELEMENT COMES TOGETHER.
📊 MONTHLY ACCESS TO YOUR MCA PROJECT DASHBOARD
Everything stays organized in one place. Your dashboard tracks songs in progress, feedback from your coach, and your creative goals—so you always know what’s next.
WHEN YOU CAN SEE YOUR PROGRESS, YOU STAY INSPIRED TO KEEP CREATING.
🎥 BONUS: ON-DEMAND VIDEO TRAINING (NEW EACH MONTH)
Each month you’ll get new short-form video lessons focused on instrumental composition, layering, arrangement, and more. No fluff. Just clear skills you can apply immediately.
LEARN WHAT MATTERS—AND APPLY IT RIGHT AWAY TO YOUR MUSIC.
❓ Q&A FORM ACCESS (ANSWERED IN MONTHLY TRAINING VIDEOS)
Ask anything—from arranging questions to collaboration tips—and we’ll answer them in our live video trainings. You'll also learn from what other instrumentalists are navigating in real time.
REAL GROWTH COMES FROM REAL QUESTIONS—YOURS AND OTHERS'.
🎵 1 PROFESSIONAL MASTERING SERVICE PER QUARTERLY RELEASE
Each quarter, one of your finished songs will be professionally mastered—so it’s release-ready for Spotify, Apple Music, and more. You’ll also learn what makes a mix “mastering-ready.”
YOU WON’T JUST FINISH YOUR SONGS—YOU’LL RELEASE THEM WITH CONFIDENCE.
🏠 HOME STUDIO FAST TRACK
Whether you're using a basic laptop setup or building a more advanced rig, we’ll help you dial in your space so you can write, arrange, and record confidently between sessions.
YOUR HOME SETUP BECOMES A CREATIVE SPACE—NOT A BARRIER.
🎁 YEARLY BONUS: EXCLUSIVE GEAR DISCOUNTS VIA SWEETWATER
As an MCA artist, you’ll get access to member-only gear discounts and personalized recommendations—so you can buy smarter, save money, and get the tools that actually support your growth.
YOU BUILD YOUR STUDIO WITHOUT GUESSWORK—AND SAVE WHILE YOU DO IT.
PRODUCE AND RELEASE YOUR MUSIC WITH PRO-LEVEL COACHING —WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK.
Everything You Need to Create & Release Original Music—Without the $1,300/Month Price Tag
You don’t have to be a singer—or do it alone. Here’s what MCA gives instrumentalists ready to create, finish, and share their music:
WORK 1-on-1 WITH A M.C.A. HIGH-LEVEL COACH/PRODUCER
You’ll work directly with a coach who understands how to turn instrumental skills into finished, release-ready tracks—through real support and guidance tailored to your creative strengths.
$400/mo – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
WEEKLY IN-PERSON MCA STUDIO SESSIONS (48 SESSIONS A YEAR)
Bring your ideas to life in a creative space built around you. Record parts, structure arrangements, and push your music forward with weekly, in-person support.
$400/mo – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
BEHIND-THE-SCENES MIXING & VOCAL COLLABORATION COORDINATION
Your songs keep growing even between sessions. We’ll add instrumentation, shape arrangements, and match you with MCA vocalists if you want to add lyrics and voice.
$400/mo – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
HOME STUDIO FAST TRACK
We’ll help you set up a simple, effective home studio so you can compose, arrange, and track ideas any time inspiration hits—without second-guessing your gear.
$150–$300 (one-time) – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
MCA PROJECT DASHBOARD ACCESS
Keep every project, draft, and idea organized. Your dashboard tracks progress, session notes, goals, and coach feedback—so nothing gets lost.
$50/mo – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
ON-DEMAND VIDEO TRAINING (NEW MONTHLY)
Get monthly training videos on songwriting, arrangement, layering, and finishing full instrumentals. Built for musicians—not engineers.
$147/mo – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
Q&A ACCESS (ANSWERED IN MONTHLY VIDEO TRAININGS)
Submit your questions—creative or technical—and get personal guidance during our monthly live video trainings. Learn from your journey and from others on the same path.
$97/mo – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
1 PROFESSIONAL MASTERING SERVICE PER QUARTERLY RELEASE
Each quarter, we’ll professionally master one of your tracks—so it’s ready to release on Spotify, Apple Music, and beyond. Learn how to prepare mixes and listen with clarity.
$300–$800/track – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
EXCLUSIVE SWEETWATER GEAR DISCOUNTS
Access exclusive MCA pricing on studio gear, instruments, and accessories through Sweetwater—plus personalized advice to match your goals and budget.
5–20% Savings – Included for MCA Instrumentalists
Total Retail Value: Over $1,300/month
Your MCA Instrumentalist Rate: Only $653/month
You save over $600/month—and get everything you need to go from talented player to finished creator.
Terms: We offer one free trial per family or individual. If you’ve had a free trial at any point in the past, we welcome you to try a Single Paid Trial.
LISTEN TO MUSIC RELEASES FROM M.C.A ARTISTS
MEET YOUR M.C.A. COACHES & PRODUCERS
EVAN DUNN
Evan Graham Dunn, a master of multiple instruments and an expert in music creation, mixing, and mastering, stands out for his work with diverse artists. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Audio for Visual Media from Columbia College and has made significant strides in the music industry.
Evan's professional scope includes producing and recording in his Chicago studio, and he's known for his skill in mixing and scoring for commercials and films. Additionally, he's a vibrant performer, often touring and playing with various bands.
His bands Alaya and Edward & Graham have seen international success, including features on BBC Radio and steady rotation on Sirius Radio's “Coffee House”.
At the Music Creation Academy, Evan excels as a producer and coach, where his down-to-earth and engaging approach inspires aspiring artists. His commitment to nurturing new talent in the music industry cements his reputation as a respected and influential figure in the music world.
DEREK BERG
From an early age, Derek Berg was immersed in the world of music—first as a jazz pianist under the mentorship of Wellington Schiller (Frank Sinatra’s go-to pianist in Chicago), and later as a national touring artist with the band Phix. But it was in the studio, long before the days of drag-and-drop DAWs, that Derek found his true calling.
Producing albums when everything had to be dialed in by hand—no templates, no shortcuts—taught Derek the foundation of great production: clear arrangement, intentional mixing, and deep listening. That old-school experience still drives his teaching today.
Over the years, Derek has performed and collaborated with a wide range of respected artists and musicians, including Sugar Blue, Michael Travis (String Cheese Incident), Darren Garvey (Elephant Revival), Dave Uhrich, Paul Murin, Chris Sheldon, Bob Lizik, Brian Adams, John Kattke, and radio legend Kevin Matthews. His studio work has included collaborations with producers Frank Pappalardo and Brad Nye.
After years of touring and producing, Derek founded Clarendon Hills Music Academy (CHMA) to build a space where emerging artists and producers could learn, grow, and release music with confidence. As a lead coach and producer in the Music Creation Academy program for over seven years, Derek now helps guide the next generation of producers—focusing on fundamentals, creativity, and the process of finishing music that’s meant to be heard.
Terms: We offer one free trial per family or individual. If you’ve had a free trial at any point in the past, we welcome you to try a Single Paid Trial.