Greetings from the ArtistWorks team! 2019 was another big year for us. From live events to new project launches and wonderful releases from our artist instructors, it was one for the books. 

As we get ready for 2020, here's a look back at some of this past year’s big highlights. 

Nathan East, Guthrie Trapp and Keith Wyatt with winners of the Big Guitar Getaway.

Experiential Contests and Getaways
In January we kicked off the year with the Ukulele "Big Giveaway" (with Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel), and later rolled out the Big Bluegrass Giveaway (with Tony Trischka, Mike Marshall and Michael Daves) and Big Guitar Getaway (with  Nathan East, Guthrie Trapp and Keith Wyatt). 

These experiential contests allow winners to get up close and personal with music giants — all on-site at ArtistWorks HQ. Fans and students alike have appreciated the inside view of what these teaching artists do to create informative and entertaining videos for everyone to watch and learn from. Being able to experience them perform in the same room is exciting and provides a unique perspective for aspiring players.

Stay tuned in January of 2020 for the Big Jazz Getaway, where master musicians Howard Levy, John Patitucci and Martin Taylor will jam together for the first time! 

ArtistWorks Music Series Podcast

ArtistWorks Music Series podcast launch 
On the ArtistWorks Music Series podcast, CEO Patricia Butler speaks with master musicians across all genres to deep dive into topics like becoming a musician, playing at the pro level, and the journey of learning music. 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. 

Keith Wyatt, a Blues Guitar Certificate Program instructor

Certificate Program launch
Launched in the Summer, the Certificate Program includes a course in Blues Guitar and Ukulele that delivers a structured learning experience with 12-weekly lessons, three quizzes and three video submissions. Enrolled students also learn from weekly lessons on Ear Training, Sight Reading and Improvisation, regardless of the genre they are learning. The Certificate Program allows players to deepen their playing skills, expand their knowledge and develop as a musician.

ArtistWorks Classical Piano instructor, Christie Peery-Skousen

Artist instructors celebrate 10 years with ArtistWorks
2019 marked a special milestone for banjo instructor Tony Trischka, classical piano instructor Christie Peery-Skousen and harmonica instructor Howard Levy, who each celebrated 10 years of masterful teaching at ArtistWorks. Here’s to 10 more! 

Dave Stryker’s second release of the year, Eight Track Christmas

Instructors release new music 
We’re always thrilled to see our artist instructors releasing work, and 2019 was a busy year for it. 

Legendary string duo Mike Marshall (mandolin) and Darol Anger (fiddle) celebrated their 41st year of collaboration with a new LP, Da Capo. 

Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel’s unveiled a new holiday album, Christmas Island, a collection of festive Christmas music classics performed on ukulele. 

Cellist Mike Block’s new folk album, Walls of Time, charted #3 on the Billboard Bluegrass chart, while also charting in the top 15 of the World Music and Classical Crossover charts!

Paul Gilbert's newest album, Behold the Electric Guitar, features the guitarists’ most expressive, and inspired guitar playing to date.

Last but not least, electric jazz guitarist Dave Stryker had an exceptionally busy year, releasing two albums. Eight Track III was #1 for six weeks on the JazzWeek Radio chart, and also received 4 Stars in Downbeat. After this success, Dave and his Eight Track Band went back into the studio and followed up Eight Track Christmas. 

Thanks for your support in 2019, and we look forward to seeing you next year. Ready to jump into learning an instrument? Start 2020 with some free sample lessons.