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.

Workshops

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.

2025 Schedule

Upcoming Workshops

Workshops are held on the third Monday of the month from 7-9pm at the Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd.). Each workshop will focus on a different music-related topic with discussions from 7-8pm, followed by a 2×4 Songwriter Showcase from 8-9pm featuring 4 different artists performing 2 songs each.

Marketing Your Music

Mon, May 19, 2025
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)

Guest Speaker: Donald Malloy
2×4 Artists include Ceci Taylor, Warren Bendler, Guy Randall, Ruby Rose Weston

Professional Rights Organizations (PROs)

Mon, June 16, 2025
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)

Speaker: David Kennedy
2×4 Artists
include

Past Workshops

Getting the Gig

Mon, April 21, 2025
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)

Guest Speaker: Brent Kirby
2×4 Artists include Andrea Nicole King, Rick Szekelyi, Fragments of Speech, and Glass Aeros

Stuck in Cleveland? Weekly Support Group

Tuesdays in February and March
10am-11:30am • Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)
Dr. Will wants to offer a space for artists of all mediums that might be feeling stuck in their creative process, and possibly burnt out from not feeling the progress they need. Many times as artists, we are faced with barriers that we never talk about, and it blocks how we want to feel and be as artists. Take this brief moment to exhale and unwind, and know that you are not the only one feeling “stuck” in Cleveland. 

Artist Bios and EPKs

Mon, March 10, 2025
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)

This is a working session. Bring your laptop or notebook. Get feedback on your artist bio and EPK from other artists and music professionals.
Moderator: David Kennedy
2×4 Artists include
The Kodachrome Babies, Wreck Like Me, Skye Burkett and Bethany Joy!

Music Production & The Modern Music Industry

Mon, February 17, 2025
7-9pm • Cleveland Rocks Shop (15801 Waterloo Rd, Cleveland)

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

The Professional Development Workshop Series is made possible with support from:

Cuyahoga Arts and Culture

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