Workshops and 2x4s
The Professional Development Workshop series, organized by Cleveland Rocks: Past, Present, Future, launched in 2022 to offer resources for artists to help move them forward in their career. Workshop topics include music technology, business, networking, and professional development. We have invited guest speakers and panelists to lead these workshops, as well as offer demos and interactive experiences to attendees. In our first year, we hosted 4 workshops on Sunday afternoons in the Beachland Tavern.
In 2023, we expanded these events to include 2×4 songwriter showcases (4 artists performing 2 songs each), hosting 8 workshops on a new night in a new space – Mondays in the Cleveland Rocks Shop. In 2024, we broadened our reach even further by incorporating mental health centered workshops on Wednesday nights, in addition to our Monday workshops. In total, we hosted 12 free workshops in 2024.
2×4 Songwriter Showcases
The 2×4 Songwriter showcase directly follow our Monday workshops and features 4 artists performing 2 songs each. Our Cleveland Rocks Shop stage is small and our listening room is intimate. Acts will primarily be solo artists, with the occasional duo or trio. To watch past 2×4 showcase performances, visit our Video page.
2026 Schedule
Upcoming Workshops
Workshops are held on the third Monday of the month. Each workshop will focus on a different music-related topic presented by a guest speaker or panel of industry experts. The popular 2×4 Songwriter Showcase will kick-off these events with 4 artists performing 2 songs each.
Workshop: Stairway To Success with Rick Iacoboni
Mon, May 18, 2026
7pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland)
Want to get better at booking gigs? Here is a workshop about using practical marketing strategies to perform more and earn more.
Workshop: Music Business Basics with Trent Thomas
Wed, May 27, 2026
6pm • The Sixty6 (1966 East 66th St, Cleveland)
Royalties, Credits and Copyrights. A discussion about how to collect music royalties, where to sign up and register, and why credits on an album are still important. If you make music or want to get started, this is a great introduction to some music business basics.
Past Workshops
Panel: Discussing Cleveland's Rock & Roll History
Wed, April 29, 2026
Visible Voice Books
(4601 Lorain Ave., Cleveland)
Workshop: Instrument and Vocal Microphones
Mon, April 20, 2026
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd., Cleveland)
Networking Panel & Mixer
Mon, March 16, 2026
The Treelawn
(15335 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
The Important of Growing An Incubator
Tues, March 10, 2026
The Sixty6
(1966 E 66th St, Cleveland)
Master Your Process: Bridging Imagination and Reality
A practical music industry workshop on turning ideas into finished work, sustainable habits and real-world execution.
Guest Speaker: Nathan-Paul
2×4 Artists: Tommy Link, Gregory Garwood, Tad Fry, and Adam Horvath
Mon, February 16, 2026
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd)
Accounting and Record Keeping for Musicians and Small Music Businesses
2×4 Artists: The Mars Express, Corissa Bragg, Rick Sockel and Peter Ray.
Mon, November 17, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd)
The Importance of College and Community Radio
Mon, October 20, 2025
Beachland Ballroom
(15711 Waterloo Rd)
Artist Management
Guest Speaker: David Spero
2×4 Artists: Van Arlo, Greg Thompson, Lex Moda, The Berrys
Mon, September 15, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Breaking the Mold: Building DIY Scenes and Spaces
This panel explores the power and complexity of DIY culture as a tool for community-building, artistic autonomy, and resistance. We’ll dive into the challenges of throwing your own shows, managing logistics with limited resources, amplifying marginalized voices, and creating art when the industry and status quo are working against you. Whether you’re booking your first gig or dreaming of building your own scene, this conversation centers real-world strategies and hard-won wisdom.
Curated by: Robin “Hyperius” Blake
Panelists include: Dave Ziggy, Navy Jayde and Robin “Hyperius” Blake
2×4 Artists: Dave Ziggy, Jinari Kemet, Theresa May, and Black Voltron (unplugged)
Mon, August 18, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Keeping the Band Together: Being an Effective Band Leader
Successful bandleaders share their strategies and stories about managing their own music business and working well with musicians, booking agents, technicians, venues, etc.
Guest Speakers: Anthony Taddeo and Robert Hubbard
2×4 Artists include Ashley Gulla, Jeffrey Cruz, Nostalgic Amnesia & Jp Hamm.
Mon, July 21, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Performing Rights Organizations (PROs)
Presenter: David Kennedy
2×4 Artists include Kari Ann Rutushin, Joe Brown, Caramel, and Beezy Douglas
Mon, June 16, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Marketing Your Music
Guest Speaker: Donald Malloy
2×4 Artists include Ceci Taylor, Warren Bendler, Guy Randall, Ruby Rose Weston
Mon, May 19, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Getting the Gig
Guest Speaker: Brent Kirby
2×4 Artists include Andrea Nicole King, Rick Szekelyi, Fragments of Speech, and Glass Aeros
Mon, April 21, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Stuck in Cleveland? Weekly Support Group
Tuesdays in March
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Grief Support Group For Artists
Tuesdays in February
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Artist Bios and EPKs
This is a working session. Bring your laptop or notebook. Get feedback on your artist bio and EPK from other artists and music professionals.
Presenter: David Kennedy
2×4 Artists include The Kodachrome Babies, Wreck Like Me, Skye Burkett and Bethany Joy
Mon, March 10, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Music Production & The Modern Music Industry
Sammy’s lecture aims to make creatives aware of the landscape of the modern music industry as it relates to popular music production. Sammy breaks down exactly how charting music is getting made today, and how anyone can work towards becoming a part of that process.
Guest Speaker: Sammy Haig
2×4 Artists include The Baker’s Basement, Jean Brandt with John McGrail, Dustin Mayle, and Rachel Crozier
Mon, February 17, 2025
Cleveland Rocks Shop
(15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
The Professional Development Workshop Series is made possible with support from:
