Speaking from the newly-renovated ArtistWorks studio in Napa, CA, CEO Patricia Butler sits down to reflect on 2019 and share goals for the year ahead. You can watch the video message below. "In the ten years that we have been teaching online at ArtistWorks, 2019 was truly one of the most enjoyable and personally rewarding years for me," Patricia shares. 

Among the new initiatives in 2019 was the launch of our Big Getaways. These experiential contests allow winners to get up close and personal with music giants — all on-site at ArtistWorks HQ. "These Big Getaways have been so popular," says Patricia. "We did four or five of them last year, and we're going to continue them in 2020." In fact, on January 28, you can tune into the Big Jazz Getaway, where master musicians Howard Levy, John Patitucci and Martin Taylor will jam together for the first time—with the contest winners, too!

We also launched our podcast, the ArtistWorks Music Series, discussing topics like the blurring of the bluegrass genre, performance anxiety and more. "I've had the opportunity to talk to a lot of artists about very interesting and engaging topics about music," Patricia shares. 

With interviews featuring Tony Trischka, Hugh Sung, Guthrie Trapp and more — and with more on the way in 2020 — we urge you to subscribe and gain some insight from these brilliant musical minds. The show is available on all major podcast listening platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music. 

Looking towards 2020, Patricia comments, "We want to be the most extensive and valuable online music instruction destination available, and that means that we need to appeal to a lot of different people. That brings us to our 2020 vision: a year of expansion."

This year kicked off with a studio remodel, to better reflect who we are as a company, as well as the rusticity and energy of our environment. 

We'll also be launching a brand new series of courses, specifically designed for the first-time adult player. "We have had countless requests for an unhurried learning path for those adults who are playing an instrument for the first time," Patricia adds. Details will be released soon. 

Finally, as we look forward to the next twelve months, we will be revealing new teaching artists  here at ArtistWorks. One of these artists is beginning to record their lessons in just a matter of weeks.

"I look forward to welcoming you online — each and every one of you," says Patricia. "I also want to thank all of you who have been with us for an awfully long time. I appreciate you sending in your videos and telling us about your musical journey!"