Cloudchord Presents: Producing & Performing Electronic Music 2025 at – Beacon, NY

Don’t miss this upcoming event in Beacon, NY Happening on Thursday, September 11, 2025 at . Doors open at 5:00 PM.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
 
Over the course of 3 days, we will cover the vital topics for both producing and performing electronic music. 
 

 
The workshop is open to students of all levels with a focus on Ableton Live as well as finding joy in the music making process. From composition to mixing, a wide variety of subjects will be tackled with both range and depth.

All participants will receive a coupon for 30% off Ableton Live 12 that can apply to either a new license OR upgrade!
 

 
Optional Add On:

Cloudchord Presents: Visionary Guitar Playing
10:30am – 6pm, Sunday, September 14th at CoSM

This class will be a mix of Cloudchord presenting / performing on topics of guitar technique and philosophy, as well as an element of group playing. 

Bundle & Save when you select Visionary Guitar Playing as an add-on during check out for Producing & Performing Electronic Music!
 
WHAT TO EXPECT:
 
We will explore the essential wisdoms and skills of the Technical Ninja and Creative Visionary. 
 

 
The Ninja:

Organization and maximizing workflow
Sound selection and smooth transitions
Warping and editing – a speedy workflow
MIDI – Sheet Music for Robots
Mixing and mastering – a simple, yet dark art
Becoming a strong performer
Hacking the streaming industry 
Understanding music publishing
Where are the revenue streams
Jab, Jab, Uppercut – the key to social media
Gear: What sparks joy *and* gets the job done?

 
The Visionary:

The seven chakras of mixing
Energetic imprints of musical styles
Timeless composition practices 
The spirit of collaboration
Retaining your joy 
Limitations
Digesting your influences
Diary Entries vs Bronze Statues – When is a piece of music completed?
Having a unique, genuine thumbprint

Behind the Beats Workshop, led by Cloudchord at CoSM, 2024
 
Testimonials: 

Cloudchord’s Chapel of Sacred Mirrors workshop is a deeply powerful musical experience that I will never forget as I left with the ability to accomplish my music goals with a deep understanding, insight, and inspiration for the world of Ableton‘s capabilities. I highly recommend this workshop to any artist at every level as Cloudchord is an incredible instructor to all students and the opportunity to learn first hand from his incredible insights into the mastery of his art at the most inspiring and wonderful COSM is something that will open you up to endless possibilities. 
—Jack

Derek masterfully shared a wealth of essential knowledge to elevate any Ableton user, inspiring both songwriting/production and live performance. He also provided invaluable insight into the business side of music, offering strategies for navigating the industry. If you’re an artist looking to merge instrumental elements with electronic music and take your music project to the next level, this workshop is an absolute must.
—Gage 
 
MATERIALS: 
 
This is an Ableton Live-specific music production course.
Hardware & Software:

Laptop or mobile computer setup with Ableton Live 11 or higher installed.
If you are a user of a different DAW like Logic or Protools, you can download a free 90 day trial of Ableton Live at www.ableton.com
All participants will receive a coupon for 30% off Ableton Live 12 that can apply to either a new license OR upgrade after enrolling.

 
YOUR INSTRUCTOR:
Cloudchord
 

 
Cloudchord aka Derek VanScoten is a Producer, Guitarist, and Ableton Certified Trainer.   

He has presented at official Ableton events in New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, Denver, Austin, Dallas, and Atlanta. He was a beta tester for Push 1 and 2, and Ableton Live 9-12. He also contributed several presets to Live 11. 

Read the interview with him at Ableton.

Watch a Cloudchord Tutorial on the Ableton Youtube channel.

As an artist, Cloudchord continues to move from strength to strength. 

While known as a highly prolific downtempo artist, his range expands beyond any particular musical genre, tempo, or ideology. While amassing over 130 millions streams, this past year has seen him dropping boom bap bossa novas, funky disco, cinematic lofi, and trancey deep house. Genuine connection with the creative Source is the mission.

Live shows incorporate improv looping, group sing-alongs, uptempo funk numbers, and in the crowd guitar solos.

Past collaborations include Big Gigantic, Emancipator, Braxton Cook, Prob Cause, Dirtwire, East Forest, Oatmello, Sunsquabi, Random Rab, and Ian Ewing. Check out the Cloudchord Essentials Playlist on Spotify for his 10+ hours of released music. 

While much of Cloudchord’s catalog is self released, he has also collaborated with Nettwerk Records, Chillhop Music, Inner Oceans, Aviary Bridge, Loci Records, Gravitas Recordings, and Lofi Chill Records.

Bonus Cloudchord fun facts:

He scored electronic music for the documentary “In Football We Trust,’ which debuted at Sundance 2016, and won an Emmy in 2017.
He produced the 14 song Disco Biscuits album “Revolution in Motion.”
He runs an Ableton Education Youtube station called Open Channels.
He won the Of Monsters and Men remix contest in 2016 with a viral tropical house flip of “Wolves Without Teeth.”
In 2023, he did over 200 hours of live looping on Twitch.

Cloudchord Youtube
www.instagram.com/cloudchord
www.twitter.com/cloudchord
www.facebook.com/cloudchord
www.twitch.com/cloudchord
Open Channels Ableton Tutorials
 
CoSM WORKSHOP SETTING:
 

 
Class sessions will take place in the beautiful, newly renovated MAGI Art Lab. 

The Grey House, CoSM’s Visionary Victorian guest house, provides accommodations for all participants. Residing onsite together is a recommended part of this immersively creative weekend, providing maximum benefit & enrichment.  

Accommodations in Grey House are offered in a variety of economies, in addition to the workshop fee. Participants are welcome to extend their overnight stay at CoSM to the Monday after the workshop.
 

 
WORKSHOP AMMENITIES
Available for the duration of the 3 day workshop:

Healthy meals by CoSM chefs, starting with dinner on Friday and ending with lunch on Sunday
Coffee, tea and snacks available in the Art Lab between meals 
Access to Grey House common spaces — The Library, The Parlor, The Dining Hall & Gallery Spaces on all three floors.
Yoga mats for self guided practice
Accommodations include private rooms and shared dorm rooms—femme only or co-ed options.
The Wisdom Trail offers a contemplative walk through the CoSM woods, including a labyrinth, outdoor sculptural installations by visionary artists

Participation also includes Day Admission to CoSM: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 12pm – 6pm:

Access to Facilities, grounds and self-touring Entheon
Students are welcome to experience Entheon and Grey House Galleries, including both CoSM Shop & Entheon Shop. 
Beverages and light fare will be available for purchase in the Mushroom Cafe

 
SCHEDULE:
 
All times are listed in EDT
Cloudchord Presents: Producing & Performing Electronic Music
3-day Workshop

Thursday, September 11th

3pm-5pm: Guests arrive by 5pm and check-in to their rooms.
6pm: Dinner & Orientation are part of the workshop for all participants.
7:30pm: Introduction: Hello, Why, and How?

Friday, September 12th

8am – 10am: Self-serve breakfast in the Dining Hall
10am: Signal and Flow
1pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall
3pm: Working in music, understanding publishing, and $$$
6pm: Dinner in the Dining Hall
7:30pm: Performing: Entertainment, Execution, Connection.

Saturday, September 13th

8am – 10am: Self-serve breakfast in the Dining Hall
10am: Cracking the Code with Collaboration
1pm: Lunch in the Dining Hall 
2pm: End of Workshop: Q&A, Miscellaneous hangs
6pm: CoSM Closes

Optional Add On:

Cloudchord Presents: Visionary Guitar Playing
1-day Workshop

Sunday, September 14th

10am: Registration opens
10:30am – 12:30pm: Finding you Battle Cry, Understanding CAGED and Modes, Group Improv Games
12:30pm – 1:30pm: Break
1:30pm – 6pm: Rituals and Practice, Breakouts and Jam Sessions, Mistakes and Gigs. 
6:30pm: CoSM Closes

Visionary Guitar Playing Event Page

Bundle & Save when you select Visionary Guitar Playing as an add-on during check out for Producing & Performing Electronic Music!

CoSM and Entheon are open weekly on Friday, Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 6pm when CoSM Grounds close. Participation includes day passes during open hours to CoSM facilities and grounds for the duration of the workshop.
 

 
TUITION:
 
Limited Early Bird tickets—secure your spot now!
Pricing:

Early Bird: $320.00
General Admission $400.00
Special pricing for Cloudchord Presents Bundle: $100.00 Visionary Guitar Playing Workshop ($130.00 General Admission) when purchasing as an add on for Producing & Performing Electronic Music

Tuition Details:

Tuition for the 3-day Producing and Performing Electronic Music workshop includes meals
Accommodations are additional
Payment plans available, with all funds due one month before the start of the workshop

For further information, contact workshop@cosm.org
 
ACCOMMODATIONS:
 
The Grey House, CoSM’s Visionary Victorian guest house, offers accommodations for all participants. Works of art by Alex Grey, Allyson Grey and accomplished artists of the international Visionary Art community are featured throughout the guest rooms and common spaces of the guest house.
 

 
Onsite accommodations are a part of the course experience and are available in a variety of economies. Here is the pricing for the two night stay, arriving Thursday, September 11th and departing Saturday, September 13th, reflective of the 10% workshop discount:

King with ensuite bathroom $495.00
Queen with ensuite bathroom $450.00
Private Queen/shared bath $360.00
Dorm bed: Single $216.00 *co-ed & women’s only options available

Workshop accommodations must be booked directly through the workshop department after ticket purchase, rather than through the website. Email workshop@cosm.org to secure your stay.

 
Questions about tuition or accommodation fees, payment plans, travel, retreat amenities, materials etc.?
Contact Genevieve Wood, Workshop Coordinator: workshop@cosm.org.

Purchase Cloudchord Presents: Producing & Performing Electronic Music 2025 Tickets Below:

Tickets/RSVP Link