WORKSHOPS & WRITING
Unlock your potential. Expand your national and international reach as a recording artist.
WORKSHOPS
"Kerilie is one of those rare people who really understands music and art while also understanding how to share it in a way that is efficient and beneficial to both the artist and the artform. With her contagious passion and energy, she reminded me of the importance and meaning of this fascinating career path and the importance and value of hard work. Kerilie is deeply passionate about art and people, she is generous, inspiring and supportive and is a great source of knowledge, which are all qualities that contribute to her being an outstanding teacher."
—Gentiane Michaud-Gagnon, pianist/composer (a.k.a. Gentiane MG) www.gentianemg.com/
Left: Megan Fleming, right: Kerilie McDowall. Image by Dirk Heydemann of HA Photography.
Pre-COVID-19, Kerilie McDowall was a contributing writer and music critic for the globe’s top jazz magazine, DownBeat (2016-2020), USA. She still judges the DownBeat Critics Poll. She has been a guest columnist for Canadian Musician magazine and written articles for INSPIRED and for many numerous local Nanaimo events organizations for years. As a professional writer, Kerilie saw numerous recording artists lose their entire investment due to not understanding music industry, publicity and media expectations. Kerilie McDowall teaches artists about the industry and assists musicians with accessing the Canadian/US media and Canadian/US radio and streaming market, instructs about accessing the press through media liaison/radio tracking/self-publicity, offers help with EPK, press release and biography writing/editing, Canadian awards prep (recording timeline /submission considerations) and more. Kerilie has a 500 contact North American press list that she uses on behalf of artists.
Kerilie's vast scope of relevant and versatile expertise within the music and media industry combined with her genuine love for the arts and artists makes her incredibly approachable, fun and inspiring to work with. She is so genuine, easy to talk to, and generous with her knowledge. As artists in an ever-evolving industry, defining a clear trajectory can be challenging at the best of times but with Kerilie's mentorship, I have been able to gain a substantial amount of clarity and direction in just a very short time. Working with Kerilie has made me excited about my next steps as I pursue a career in the arts. This has been a deeply empowering experience as an emerging artist and one that I highly recommend to any aspiring musician looking to take their career to the next level."
— Emily Best (pianist/keys/songwriter)
Workshop participant www.emilybest.com
Kerilie McDowall assists musicians with accessing the Canadian/US media and Canadian and US radio market.
Learn about techniques for accessing the press through media liaison/radio tracking/self-publicity.
Learn about Canadian awards deadlines preparation considerations (recording timeline /submissions) and more.
Kerilie started this service to provide educational support to gifted musicians after observing talented recording artists fail repeatedly, losing out on the crucially necessary self-publicity details for the media needed for their recordings, thereby resulting in zero record sales.
LEARN
Kerilie has 17 years in radio production/hosting and 7 years in TV hosting and television directing. As a music judge, an 11x winning filmmaker and award-winning radio host Kerilie offers diverse education to those she mentors, including skills pot-pourri for creatives:
How to prepare for an interview/what the media expects. Press conference and publicity and release tips, preparing for television shooting, television/videography makeup and non-makeup information for women and men. How to present to the video camera during an interview. Hiring a top professional photographer and tips for photo selection. Radio interviewing technique, refinement of writing style tips for EPK, support with recording track order selection and press photo selection. Support through education. Legal preparation advice for global website marketing, GDRP and export information for beginners. Marketing tips: Getting your funnel, your free email newsletter site why have a landing page, why marketers are your friends. How to get your excellent music video into the film festival circuit. When to approach distributors for your upcoming film. Why get a free online store and more. Monetization and merch opportunities and crowdfunding information for musicians and more. Self-access potential to hundreds of radio stations and film festivals, how not to miss out on the timeline of your release and following-up tips. BUY NOW FROM THE STORE
Image of Kerilie McDowall by Dirk Heydemann of HA Photography.
It is true that some in the industry will want to use you for their own gain. I do not want you to become a victim of the music industry. Do your research. Plan it out. Organizing your marketing approach may save you thousands in lost record sales income.
Find out about the USA online website builder for musicians and more. Worried about syncing it up online or online collab? Find out about specialized latest tech music lessons and composing and performing tools, and if they are available in your area within North America. Consider your distribution, ideas to save money on digital artwork. Planning help with your release. Why use a radio tracker? Music lawyers and your music: recording, agreement and partnership contracts.
And much more...
Materials, industry contacts and links provided within course materials and articles. A year-long release planning guide, industry article links and study of the 2022 Strategy List for the North American Music Industry.
Canadian grant list, focus upon international strategy.
Intensive BootCamp for Canadian Recording Artists
Private self-publicity, radio/tv/print/film and media liaison individual coaching rates:
"The Triple" Yours for 3 hours daily (15 hours) $1785.00 CAD. (suscribers $1687.50) *3 hour increments can be spread out for your schedule.
"The Double Double" $1250.00 CAD** for daily two hour coaching sessions with Q&A for a five-day week workshop.(10 hours) *2 hour increments can be spread out for your schedule. (**Or $1125.00 CAD at the suscriber rate. For a two hour daily intensive Bootcamp for Recording Artists workshop of 5 days. (10 hours) 2 hour minimum daily increments, or as desired.)
"The Double Workshop" $750.00 for a two hour daily intensive half week workshop of 3 days. (6 hours) Approximately $675 CAD according to exchange rate for suscribers.)
"The Single" $125 CAD one hour rate private coaching. (Approximately $112.50 CAD according to exchange rate for suscribers.)
Exclusive individualized private music, songwriting, and writing coaching and contacting the press liaison service packages.
"Kerilie, This last year I had opportunity to use the publicity piece you had composed for me and was able to secure a 7 month long gig at a local hotel as a performer on a monthly basis. I was also able to use it as promotion and publicity for numerous other single performance opportunities.
The combination photo with accompanying brief bio and affirming presentation was perfect, and just what was required to open doors.
Thank you for your conscientious professionalism."
—Sarah M. Wood, Nanaimo, BC
WRITING RATES
Additional writing services: EPK writing coaching and assistance: One-sheet $249.99 CAD, ($237.50 suscriber rate), Press release $499.99 CAD (suscriber rate: $450.00), Biography 1 page $249.99 CAD (suscriber rate $225.00), Biography 2 page ($399.99 CAD). Writing: writing and style techniques coaching and/or writing services. One hour $224.99 CAD 2.5 hours $449.99 CAD 3 hours $599.99 CAD. Sliding scale hourly writing fees from $90-$249.99 depending on the nature and duration of the project.
2.5 hour Introduction to Writing workshop $349.99 CAD($315 suscribers)
4 hour Writer's Workshop $499.99 CAD($450 suscribers)
Individualized industry assistance. Record label and film distribution pitching video-presentations and document creation.
McDowall as a writer creates biographies, press releases, reviews, social media and website writing content and album liner notes for established and emerging musicians.
Prices above in Canadian funds. Weekly part-time coaching and publicity and media services: 15 hours. (Approximately $3374.99 CAD according to exchange rate.) As a publicist Kerilie has a 500 contact North American publicity list she mails out to.
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NEW AND PROFESSIONAL RECORDING ARTISTS AND ASPIRING STUDENTS
Canadian Music Industry Bootcamp for Recording Artists: a fast immersion 1.5 hour private or group workshop for emerging recording artists and aspiring music students includes an extra one hour of private or group coaching and 30 minute Question and Answer session at $299 (3 hours total).
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Image below of Kerilie McDowall by Dirk Heydemann of HA Photography.
CANADIAN ONLINE GUITAR LESSONS
GUITAR, PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS, TAB, SIGHT-READING and MUSIC THEORY
One Hour: ($60 CAD).
Regular rate: Purchase eight Online 60 minute lessons and sign up for 8 Guitar Lessons on Zoom, Skype, Facetime or Messenger at a total cost $420.00 CAD approximately that includes your eighth lesson FREE!
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EARLY BIRD DISCOUNTS
Sign up TO START GUITAR LESSONS for two months and receive your eighth one hour lesson for free! Seniors and the disabled receive 15% off regular prices at $1 per minute CAD at all times of the year. Website suscribers and seasonal registered EARLY BIRDS receive discounts.
Regular rates for young children: 30 minutes $30/hr (children 5-8)
Earlybird Single 30 minute lesson: $25.50 CAD.
Suscriber rate: (Or sign up for for eight lessons includes your eighth lesson FREE! $210.00 $26.25 per lesson. Suscriber rate: $189 CAD - 8 lessons at $23.62 per lesson CAD.
***Early Bird seasonal discount on regular private guitar sessions before Fall and before May 30 for Spring/Summer. BUY NOW FROM THE STORE
Prices with 15% off for seniors and disabled and free lesson discounts
IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO NEW GUITAR LESSONS STUDENTS:
Why have I dropped my prices lower? Too many small businesses and Canadians are struggling with limited income and freedoms. Too many Canadians require a break right now. As a jazz artist I value freedom and I recognize that all persons globally deserve dignity and fair treatment. I want to make the absolute happiness and joy of music or mentorshop always affordable for families. Rates are available at at a sliding scale if you would like to pay less, or full or a higher price.
Currently prices are discounted off regular rates with your eighth package lesson free. It's about making music accessible for as many students as possible.
***Early Bird 15% off seasonal discount on regular private sessions before August 15th for Fall and before May 30 for Spring/Summer. BUY NOW FROM THE STORE
Sign up TO START GUITAR LESSONS for two months and receive your eighth one hour lesson for free! Seniors and the disabled receive 15% off regular prices at $1 per minute CAD at all times of the year. Website suscribers and seasonal registered EARLY BIRDS receive 15% off. Interested in workshops? Email to learn more or visit WORKSHOPS, COACHING FOR RECORDING ARTISTS.
Coaching, workshops and artist publicity and media services. McDowall has a 500 contact press list.
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SESSIONS FOR ARTISTS, STUDENTS, DISABLED AND SENIORS
Canadian Music Industry Bootcamp for Recording Artists: a fast immersion 1.5 hour group workshop for emerging recording artists includes an extra one hour of group coaching and 30 minute Q & A at $299.99 CAD (3 hours total). Schools and larger educational groups, seniors and disabled groups are offered negotiated discounted group and private rates. BUY NOW FROM THE STORE
WRITER'S SESSIONS
Kerilie also offers writing mentoring workshops and coaching to aspiring writers. Inquire about a 2.5 hour private writer's session $349.99 CAD per person. (2 hour workshop 30 minute Q&A.)
She also offers a 4 hour workshop at $499 CAD. She works with coaching writers (magazines/journalism) and songwriters/composers (music) and coaches recording artists about media access, radio and about music industry techniques.
POPULAR SONGWRITING WORKSHOP
In depth immersion into songwriting and composition for beginners. $499.99 CAD per person - 4 hours.
OTHER SERVICES FOR MUSICIANS
McDowall as a writer creates biographies, press releases, reviews, social media and website content and album liner notes for established and emerging musicians.
PRIVATE COACHING
For Musicians, Songwriter/Composers, Recording Artists, Beginning Filmmakers and Writers
McDowall offers exclusive individualized private music, songwriting, beginner film, writing coaching and media contact liaison service packages. Private coaching services 15 hour price: $3749.99 CAD per 15 hour week, with negotiated rates for other part-time and shorter projects. 15 hour Suscriber rate:$3375.00
3 Hour Price: $299.00 CAD. Suscriber rate: $270 CAD for suscribers.
REGULAR WRITING SERVICES
For non-instructional writing services there is a sliding scale for general music writing fees (all genres) at $90-$249.99 per hour as negotiated depending on duration and type of project. 2.5 hours $449.99 CAD 3 hours $599.99 CAD 4 hours or more $149.99 CAD per hour rate payable upon receiving the quote or your sliding scale fee rate. BUY NOW FROM THE STORE
WRITER'S WORKSHOP SESSIONS
Kerilie offers online writing mentoring workshops and coaching to writers, authors and songwriters.
How do you come up with continuous content?
Past DownBeat jazz magazine international writer and Shaw Spotlight volunteer television producer/writer Kerilie offers private writing mentoring workshops and coaching to writers. Inquire about 4 hour private or group writer's sessions at $499 per person CAD. McDowall works assisting writers, coaching them about approaches to keep creative ideas flowing, how to overcome writer's puzzles and blocks, techniques for brainstorming, approaches to descriptive content and vocabulary, interview writing and form, album and book reviews, music, blog, and podcast writing. Writing for business. Help with television and film writing, creative/non-fiction, approaching editors, coping strategy working under more challenging moments on deadlines, COVID-19-resilience, tips, and more.
Coaching Writers Workshop Information
Non-fiction, creative and magazine writing. Private or group $499.99 per person 4 hours.
(Students can request topics of interest or areas of focus.)
- How to generate content
- Vocabulary and descriptive expansion techniques that aid with writer's puzzles and blocks
- Avoiding tendinitis/ RSI and overuse injuries
- Centering on breathing mind-power technique
- Shutting down the inner-critic
- Interviews: content and technique
- Brainstorming and generating creative ideas
- Coping through regular writing deadlines during stressful life events strategy
- Social media posting/self-publicity
Introduction to Writing Workshop - 2.5 hours CAD
Past DownBeat jazz magazine international writer and Shaw Spotlight volunteer television producer/writer Kerilie offers private writing mentoring workshops and coaching to new and beginning writers. 2.5 hour private introductory writer's sessions at $349.99. Suscriber rate $315.00 CAD. McDowall works assisting writers coaching them about approaches to keep creative ideas flowing, how to overcome writer's puzzles and blocks, techniques for brainstorming, approaches to descriptive content and vocabulary, interview and Q&A writing and form, album and book reviews approaches, music, blog, and podcast writing. Help with television and film writing, creative/non-fiction, approaching editors and the media, stress/ challenging life events on continuous deadline guidance. Tips, and more. Private students and groups can choose specific areas of focus.
Popular Songwriting Workshop - 4 hours CAD
Private $499 CAD. 4 hours
(Students can choose topics of interest or areas of focus.)
Private or group songwriter's 4 hour workshop. $499.99 per person.
- AABA and other common forms
- how to approach lyrics, the creative process
- I IV V and I vi ii V chord progressions
- beginners jazz and blues progressions and form
- soloing, composing
- pentatonic scales on guitar
- modal soloing approaches
- common chords and extensions
- ear-training for composition (intervals, progressions and chords)
- learn how to transcribe
- handwritten notation
- extended notation
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One hour Analysis Consult , EPK OR a One Hour Album or Video Performance and Music Production Review
Have you already created your own press or writing copy but need help with finalizing details, edits or proofreading? Are you confident that your album's EPK (Electronic Press Kit) or your Film Pitch Deck video or copy meets industry and media expectations or just feel the need to consult with someone? Are you aware of the industry deadlines for your materials? Most artists and filmmakers aren't and it is very costly to an artist's or director's status not to know. Do you know how to design your one-sheet for magazines such as, DownBeat or Jazz Times? How about TV producers? Do you need me to guide you or to assist you to write it for you? Would you like to collab with Kerilie McDowall as a music events publicist who understands media contact and can help assist? Flat Rates: Five minute email response $30.00 CAD. Suscriber $27.00 CAD. (Ten minute email response $50 CAD. Suscriber: $45.00 CAD. One hour EPK analysis consult , OR an Album and or Video Performance and Production Review Consult $300 CAD.
Shown above photo on left: Joey Johnson, right: Kerilie McDowall. Images by Dirk Heydemann of HA Photography.
Kerilie McDowall studied music composition for several years at York University with late New Music composer James Tenney and has studied jazz composition in New York City with recording artists Kenny Werner, Ritchie Beirach, and John Abercrombie. Kerilie's jazz guitar studies included brief study with instructors Ben Monder, Rob Piltch, Ted Quinlan, Oliver Gannon and Pat Coleman. She studied Classical guitar under famed Toronto instructor Eli Kassner, instructor to Liona Boyd and Lenny Breau. She began performing professionally as a pop guitarist in high school. Kerilie started music playing toy pianos and recorder at age 5, then studied as a violinist from age 8-16. She gave up the violin and began playing the guitar, learning folk and pop, and played in her first blues band at age 16, while attending music jams in Toronto at a young age. She played in a pro pop band at age 17, was a jazz bandleader for a decade in Vancouver, and has had a life-long curiosity for the study of music.
PRIVATE COACHING
McDowall offers exclusive individualized private music coaching sessions, coaching sessions for recording artists, and media contact liaison service packages, visit the STORE.
REGULAR WRITING SERVICES
For non-instructional writing services there is a sliding scale for general music writing fees (all genres) based on per hour upon the length and duration of your project. In CAD funds: One hour rate $224.99 2.5 hours $449.99 CAD 3 hours $ $599.99 CAD
4 hours or more $149.99 CAD per hour rate payable upon receiving the quote. BUY NOW FROM THE STORE
REGISTER / INQUIRIES