Realize your rock star dreams at COMIA
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Do you ever dream of being a rock star? Want to tour the world, sing to sold-out arenas and make platinum records?
There is a place in San Antonio where realizing that dream happens every day.
The Community of the Music Industry and Arts provides a way for people of all ages to learn the business, from musical training to record production, in a freestyle atmosphere.
Chris Lieck, CEO of COMIA, said the program allows people to observe the reality of the music industry beyond what they see on TV.
“COMIA is the education of young musicians to learn not just how to play guitar and dream about the big-time but to learn the business, recording, marketing and video side of the business and put it all together,” Lieck said.
“You cannot be a unicorn or one-dimensional when it comes to this business.”
The classes offer one-on-one instruction in each aspect of the industry, which is something Lieck said can't be offered in a classroom.
COMIA offers four sets of technical classes and two sets of business classes. There are also a number of labs that students can take to hone their skills.
Technical classes include audio engineering and the use of ProTools software. The business classes include management, publicity, Internet marketing and songwriting.
Rae Drady, COMIA public relations manager, said that each student's experience is individually tailored.
There is no set format for students to follow, Lieck said. “Students can move from one class to another as they develop their skills — it gives them the freedom to select.”
“These classes are great for those kids that are especially creative and haven't had success in traditional music programs,” Drady said. “They're going to receive individual attention here.”
Since COMIA is a specifically tailored program, students can go to classes once or twice a week and continue to be in other educational institutions or have jobs, Lieck said. They can also participate in labs as many times as they need to.
Lieck, who also owns and runs his own management, publishing and record companies, said he would be more likely to hire from within COMIA for any job openings.
Another service that COMIA offers is a reality check for parents.
“Just like any other profession or job, this is not all parties and girls. It's not all fun — it's hard work,” Drady said. “The classes are about taking rock-star pipe dreams and showing these people the reality of it all — this is their induction into the music industry.”
COMIA is hosting Rock Star Boot Camp for people of all ages who are interested in being part of the music business.
The camp, which began its first session in June, will offer sessions throughout the summer and Saturday sessions in the fall.
“Rock Star Boot Camp is geared for the younger students in middle or high school and also older people who never really knew what it was like to be in a rock band,” Lieck said.
Unlike summer band camps, this camp will assess each participant and place them with others on the same talent and skill level.
“This is a continuation of COMIA's current class base,” Drady said. “We want to widen our demographic to a younger base of kids.”
The camp will offer classes in music production, marketing, musical instruction and other aspects that are focused on at COMIA.
The summer sessions will run for eight weeks, and the Saturday sessions will start in the fall for students who want to continue.
The main points of the camp will be assessment, interaction and reality, Lieck said.
“Camp is an extension of COMIA and acts as a foreshadowing of what's to come for the students and gives them an insight into the program,” he said.
Julie Garcia | 210SA contributor
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