Student Handbook the Weekly DIME Newsletter Every • Student Support Resources STUDENT-LED GROUPS Wednesday
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TO ALL MUSICIANS, SONGWRITERS AND ENTREPRENEURS Congratulations! You have made a great finding your path so you can make your own choice and the first important step towards mark when you feel ready. your degree education and career. Communication is a vital part of DIME You are here at DIME because you have working for you so we highly recommend the talent and passion to be a professional you take five minutes away from your in music, or are a future entrepreneur and social media to check emails, reply to want to start your own business. Today emails, prepare for lessons, keep track of is day one of your journey and the most your meetings, class schedules, rehearsals important thing to remember is that we and day jobs in your diary – take the want you to enjoy every minute you spend responsibility….. administration is not as at DIME. Music Education is a wonderful much fun as playing drums but we all have to journey and you need to make that journey do it and if you keep on top of it, things will count as much as the destination. From be so much easier for you. today, we will treat you respectfully, as adults, and we expect you to treat everyone Maximize your DIME time and you will soon at DIME the same way. We will help you, see yourself building your own career path guide you, push you and encourage you – and begin living the future you genuinely but it’s all about YOU – you are the only one want. And here’s the best part - when you that can make a difference, to you. begin working in the professional Music Business and earning some money that is As you read your way through this Student going to enable you to be self-sufficient you Handbook, you will see that the key message should never have to get a proper job again! is that we are here for you. We know your journey will be full of challenges and we have Work hard, play hard and love what you a great team at DIME and MSU Denver who do….. love to help you, and are not afraid to tackle Kevin Nixon and Sarah Clayman any difficulties. You will amaze yourself (DIME Group Founding Directors) at how far you can progress musically, professionally and academically – and you should take a moment to be proud of each step you make. Everyone’s progression will be different, everyone’s journey is different, everyone’s success and idea of success is different - but we are united in all of that because it’s about learning, growing and DENVER 3 1. WELCOME TO MSU DENVER AT DIME CONTENTS DIME is a music institute like no other – standards. We expect high standards designed for serious musicians who desire from you, and you should expect the a long-term, professional career in modern highest standards from us in return. 1 / Welcome to MSU Denver at DIME! 5 music. All of our curriculum has been Student satisfaction is of paramount designed to build strong musical skills importance to us, and it is our goal to 2 / DIME ETHOS 7 alongside an understanding of the music build strong, professional relationships 3 / How to Succeed at DIME industry principles that are necessary for between instructors, students and staff. 8 long and sustained careers in the modern Communication is important and we hope music industry; additionally, DIME offers you feel that you can talk to any staff 4 / Opportunity Knocks 10 students the opportunity to gain academic member about any issue. 5 / Communication 15 qualifications. DIME is a dynamic and ambitious company that will revolutionize 6 / Your Degree Program music education over the next decade. 18 WHY DENVER? 7 / Student Services 22 DIME is excited to partner with 8 / Your Responsibilities Metropolitan State University of Let’s start with the music 29 Denver. For 50 years, MSU Denver has community: Did you know that transformed the lives of students, serving The Lumineers relocated to Denver 9 / Facilties and Resources 33 as a courageous leader in higher education from New York? They stated 10 / Fees & Finance and boldly advancing the well-being they were unable to make their 40 mark in the big apple, but found of students within the metro Denver 11 / Services at MSU Denver their place in the Mile-High City 42 communities. Throughout its history, the and skyrocketed to international University has been known as a gateway success. 12 / Policies and Procedures 46 to opportunity through broad access, 13 / Who Should I Contact? quality academics and education relevant However, it’s not just Americana 49 to the Colorado economy. and Folk music that gets appreciated by the residents of MSU Denver at DIME instructors are Denver, there’s a scene to quench leaders in music education and the all musical thirsts, from Punk, Ska, Reggae, Rap, Rock, and EDM to music industry who provide students Country, Blues, Latin and Jazz. with a comprehensive knowledge and Denver’s streets are lined with understanding of the contemporary music shops, live music venues and music scene combined with high levels of bars with live music spilling into technical proficiency, as well as analytical the street. Denver is famous for and critical skills. Students will learn being welcoming and supportive creative strategies to manage their music and has evolved into a friendly career, receive opportunities to showcase diverse melting pot of music, their talents, and take control of their own culture, sunshine, adventure, and affordability. professional development. MSU Denver at DIME is committed to teaching and learning at the highest DENVER 4 DENVER 5 2. DIME ETHOS An Ethos is the characteristic spirit of a cultural community as manifested in its beliefs and aspirations. “The DIME Ethos are the rules of the jungle and that jungle is the music business. DIME is a music institute like no other. DIME is different because it is actually in the music business, so training for that outcome is a way of life.” - Kevin Nixon, DIME Founder and President The DIME Ethos is made up of the following points: Play simple things at the highest level: complicated does not mean better Academic equality between modern, traditional, classical and jazz Academic equality between ear-trained and theory trained musicians Focus on skills via Live Music based curriculum Instruction by qualified industry professionals relevant to today’s music industry Campus-based and online teaching environments that reflect the music industry not the education industry Equal opportunity for non-playing music industry learners via entrepreneurial curriculum Embracing online study alongside working in the music industry Realistic and achievable goals for all DIME students Entrepreneurial spirit of being self-employed within the music business DENVER 7 3. HOW TO SUCCEED STUDENT SUCCESS STORIES AT DIME DIME is an immersive experience that rewards students who are focused, engaged Kiara Jackson, Jimmy Showers and excited about what they are learning. At DIME, we don’t want you to have to wait Music Entrepreneurship Creative Music Performance 4 years to be active in the music industry: we believe your music industry experience Graduate 2017 Graduate 2017 starts on your first day at DIME. Follow these 10 steps to ensure you’re getting the most out of your time here, and are ready to take the opportunities that are presented to you. Jimmy was a guitar specialist Each step links to a corresponding page in the handbook so you can read in more detail. While studying, Kiara booked many one-to-one sessions and took many opportunities with her instructors for career to practice his craft throughout advice and worked hard on his time at DIME. These experiences included many end Check, Read and Respond to your Email (page 16) networking within DIME and the Detroit music community. of semester shows, multiple appearances on DIME Sessions, and obtaining an intership with Show up on time (and communicate when you can’t) (page 20) She interned with Def Jam a Detroit based backline and Records before securing stage set-up company. an Intership with Universal Use the Resources that are available to you (page 33) Records. After graduating, Jimmy secured a role as a guitar Within 4 weeks of graduating, Ask for help when you need it (page 22) technician with Uncle Kracker. Kiara moved to New York After two weeks he had been to start her full-time job in promoted to Stage Manager, Urban Promotions at Republic and following that promotion, Prepare for a career in the music industry (pages 10-14) Records, a Universal Music he became the guitarist for the Group Company. band, touring across the USA and Canada. Say YES to opportunity (pages 10-14) Utlize the 1-2-1 system (page 34) Practice Good Studentship (page 20-21, 29-31) Develop new knowledge and love what you learn (pages 18-19) Be an active member of your community & cohort (page 26) Check out the Student Success stories on the next page for inspiration. Both Kiara and Jimmy embodied the success principles listed above, and have forged successful careers as a result! DENVER 8 DENVER 9 4. OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS RESUME BUILDING, NETWORKING & MORE You are enrolled in a unique, exciting sessions contribute to your development program that is unlike a traditional college of knowledge and understanding of experience. Our aim is to prepare you to the contemporary music industry, and work and succeed in the music industry, provide a unique opportunity to access and this starts on day one. The most firsthand knowledge from professionals successful students work hard, conduct at the top of their game.