Creative Lab Selects Music Immersion Participants

Chaz Kaiolohia Umamoto (center) of Streetlight Candence has been selected for Creative Lab’s music immersion program. Photo courtesy of Streetlight Cadence.

Creative Lab Hawai‘i (CLH) has selected 11 finalists for its annual music immersive program that pairs up songwriters with professionals in the entertainment industry.

Selected from both established and promising songwriter applicants, the participants will be partnered with leading entertainment studio executives, hit-making producers and music industry insiders to collaborate on songs for specific TV and film projects.

The CLH music immersive, spearheaded by the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism’s (DBEDT) Creative Industries Division, is held on Hawai‘i Island at the Hapuna Prince Hotel from Sept. 11 to 15, 2017 following the Hawai‘i Songwriting Festival.

“There’s a demand for quality compositions to be licensed in movies, television and new media, but these lucrative opportunities are challenging to tap for talented local musicians without a network,” said Georja Skinner, chief officer of DBEDT’s Creative Industries Division and founder of CLH. “Through this specialized immersive, we are empowering participants with the kinds of connections, creative tools and business insights necessary for success.”

Admittance to CLH’s free music immersive is highly competitive. Among this year’s participants are Nā Hōkū Hanohano winners, including Amanda Frazier and Chaz Kaiolohia Umamoto, along with:

Patricia Bahia (Santa Monica, CA; has place songs with NBC, TVLand and Freeform/ABC Family)

Liv Cargile (Honolulu, HI; Nā Hōkū nominee)

Josh Jones (Kapolei, HI; co-writer of Coca-Cola global anthem)

Kimberly June (Kailua Kona, HI; signed writer with Tom Leis Music)

Carl Kauhane and Chase Kauhane (both of Kamuela, HI; winners best original song at KMF)

Keilana Mokulehua (Honolulu, HI; 1^st prize winner Open Mic 2017 at Hawaii Book & Music Festival)

Tim Rose (Honolulu, HI; two-time Nā Hōkū nominee)

Zoë Zelkind (Santa Monica, CA; has placed songs with HBO and CW)

Grammy and Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winner, Charles M. Brotman, directs the program, and was instrumental in the selection process of the participants and securing the coaches.

“It’s rewarding to offer talent of this quality a chance to expand their creativity and business opportunities through the help of world-class mentors and a truly unique collaborative process,” said Brotman.

The coaches for the music immersive include:

“Hookman” Marlin Bonds (songwriter/producer; co-writer with Jordin Sparks, Kelly Rowland and more)

Janine Scalise Boyd (VP Music, Creative & Business Affairs – Starz)

Susan Dolan (SVP Creative Music and Production – Fox Broadcasting)

Michael Eames (President, Association of Independent Publishers)

Richard Harris (songwriter/producer of chart-toppers including #1 Billboard hit “Lie to me”)

Andre Merritt (Grammy-winning songwriter; hit-writer for Rhianna, Kanye West and more)

Chris Mollere (music supervisor on more than 700 TV episodes and 30 films)

Steven B. Ray (feature film music supervisor; manager for songwriter and fellow coach, Andre Merritt)

Adam Zelkind (songwriter/composer/producer with credits on feature films and almost 800 TV episodes)

The participants will work with their mentors on songs for a specific TV or film project each day of the CLH music immersive. In addition to composing, participants will gain a deeper understanding of licensing, publishing, intellectual property protection and other aspects of the business. Following the completion of the 5-day intensive, attendees will receive year-round mentoring support.

For more information visit creativelab.hawaii.gov