Music city accelerator
Music City Accelerator is an education-centered music school located inside the Music City Starfactory campus in San Francisco. Our goal is to provide students with structured instruction, guided practice, and access to creative facilities where they can learn the foundational skills of music production, audio engineering, DJing, and related disciplines.
Our approach is shaped by more than two decades of educational experience, now combined with the multi-room creative environment at Music City Starfactory. Students learn in dedicated studios and classrooms, work with experienced instructors, and participate in hands-on coursework designed to support their artistic and technical development.
Audio Engineering Courses
These classes introduce students to studio workflows, recording concepts, effects processing, and critical listening practices.
Ableton Live Courses
Instruction includes clip-based workflows, sound design basics, MIDI production, audio editing, and track building inside Ableton Live.
Pro Tools Certification Pathway
Students can pursue Pro Tools training from an Avid-certified expert. The Essential Pro Tools Program offers both Level 1 and Level 2 certification. Completion of each course follows the requirements set by Avid for its certification exams.
Songwriting & Arranging
Learn rhythm, scales and modes, harmony, and melody by producing percussion and drums, bass, leads, and other instruments
Sound Design & Synthesis
Learn the fundamentals of designing your own instruments and sounds for music. Learn how to describe sounds we hear, the building blocks of electronic instruments, synthesis and sampling techniques, and sound processing with effects.
Mixing & Mastering
Learn to mix music step-by-step, including volume leveling, stereo panorama, EQ, compression, creative effects, and automation.
Sound for Visual Media
Learn the history of sound and music in film, dialogue editing, foley, sound effects, and background sound techniques.
Live Sound Engineering
Explore the essentials of audio production with topics ranging from sound fundamentals and microphone techniques to mixers, MIDI, and digital effects.
Music Theory for Producers
Minor scales, extended chords, modulation, mode mixture, and advanced harmony.
Audio Engineering Courses
These classes introduce students to the basic nature of sound, studio workflows, recording concepts, effects processing, and critical listening practices.
Ableton Live Courses
Instruction includes clip-based workflows, sound design basics, MIDI production, audio editing, and track building inside Ableton Live.
Pro Tools Certification Pathway
Students can pursue Pro Tools training from an Avid-certified expert. The Essential Pro Tools Program offers both Level 1 and Level 2 certification. Completion of each course follows the requirements set by Avid for its certification exams.
Songwriting & Arranging
Learn rhythm, scales and modes, harmony, and melody by producing percussion and drums, bass, leads, and other instruments.
Sound Design & Synthesis
Learn the fundamentals of designing your own instruments and sounds for music. Learn how to describe sounds we hear, the building blocks of electronic instruments, synthesis and sampling techniques, and sound processing with effects.
Mixing & Mastering
Learn to mix music step-by-step, including volume leveling, stereo panorama, EQ, compression, creative effects, and automation.
Sound for Visual Media
Learn the history of sound and music in film, dialogue editing, foley, sound effects, and background sound techniques.
Branding & Identity
This program is designed for artists who want to deepen their identity and build more intentional bodies of work. Through peer sessions, feedback loops, and collaborative projects, you’ll explore ways to refine your sound, develop your visual style, and share your music more confidently with others. This program will give you all of the tools you need to go beyond someone who just makes music, and become an established artist.
Singer Songwriter/Performance
This program focuses on developing the skills that make a great performer. Vocal performance, songwriting, and stage presence are the foundation of becoming a star.
Intro to DJing Class
Students learn DJ fundamentals, mixing approaches, cueing, beatmatching, introductory performance techniques, and related skills within our DJ lab.
A beginner-friendly online course designed to help new singers build healthy habits, understand their instrument, and develop confidence — all from home with the hands-on guidance of an expert vocal coach.
Music City Accelerator is a creative hub for people who love making music. Whether you're exploring beatmaking, mixing, DJing, songwriting, or live performance, our classes are designed for personal growth, artistic expression, and hands-on fun — all inspired by decades of experience.
Our production services team has produced soundtracks, sound design, and interactive audio for industry-leading companies such as Insomniac Games, Disney Interactive, Sony Interactive, Microsoft Studios, HTC Vive, Blizzard Entertainment, and many more!
Music City Accelerator offers instruction in a professional creative setting. Our classrooms include studios, a DJ learning lab, and rehearsal rooms. Students use these facilities during guided class time and supervised sessions where applicable.
Instructional spaces are equipped with tools relevant to each program’s curriculum, including:
• Digital audio workstations such as Ableton Live and Pro Tools and Logic Pro
• Studio microphones, interfaces, and monitoring systems
• DJ hardware and software
• Music production and sound design tools, including MIDI controllers and hardware synthesizers
• Access to our production studio
These environments are integrated within the Music City Starfactory campus, providing students with exposure to a wide range of creative spaces while completing their program.
Our curriculum emphasizes structured learning, repeated practice, and instructor feedback. Students engage in project-based coursework that develops familiarity with production software, recording workflows, and creative tools.
Music City Accelerator’s facilities are integrated into our instructional process. These studios operate within a Dante-enabled network that links to rehearsal rooms and performance stages throughout the campus. This configuration supports educational activities such as:
• Guided recording demonstrations
• Supervised audio engineering exercises
• Practice mixing assignments
• Multitrack recording of performances when applicable to class materials
The goal is to provide a realistic and supportive environment where students can learn by doing, observing, and practicing in spaces oriented around music creation.
Music City Accelerator is located inside the Music City Starfactory campus, a multi-room creative building that supports a variety of artistic activities. In addition to classroom and studio spaces, the campus includes rehearsal rooms, a DJ lab, collaboration environments, podcast rooms, and performance spaces. This provides students with exposure to a broad ecosystem of musical activity while they pursue their studies.
The campus environment encourages interaction, collaboration, and community building among students and artists, which can support their educational experience.
Enrollment is currently open! Prospective students can schedule a tour, connect with an advisor, or review detailed program outlines to determine which course aligns with their goals.
Student Notice/Disclaimer: All courses offered by Music City Accelerator are for avocational and personal enrichment purposes only. We do not offer degrees, diplomas, or certificates intended to qualify students for employment. No course or program is represented to lead to job placement, licensure, or occupational credentialing.
© Music City San Francisco 2025
Experience the vibrant rhythms and captivating melodies of Latin music as we feature live bands and electrifying DJ sets, showcasing a diverse array of genres from Brazilian Rhythms/Salsa/Cumbia/Latin Jazz/Spanish Rumba/Latin Rock/ Forró & global beats. Feel the energy as talented musicians take the stage, bringing their unique flair and passion to every performance.
Enjoy DJ sets spinning Latin Jams with Disco 80s/90s Funk/Hip Hop/Tropical Bass/Rock/Breaks & more.
Doors Open: 6 PM
Live Performances Begin: 7 PM-10PM
Step into the rhythm and soul of the city at Music City SF every Tuesday for an unforgettable night of live jazz! Wheter you’re a jazz aficionado or just looking to unwind, our talented musicians will transport you through the smooth, sultry sounds of Classic Jazz, Soul Jazz, and Jazz Fusion.
Door Opens: 6 PM
Live Performance Begin: 7 PM – 10 PM
Step into the unexpected at Music City SF’s Eclectic Night, where musical boundaries are meant to be crossed! Every Friday, we bring you an exciting mix of artists, from funk to jazz, hip hop to rock, and everything in between.
Doors Open: 6pm
Live Performances Begin: 7 PM-10PM
Every Thursday night, dive into the heart of the underground with weekly rotating performances featuring a fresh mix of musicians, cyphers, and DJs that keep the energy alive. Whether you’re here for smooth R&B vibes, soulful vocals, or fire hip-hop beats, The Music City Underground has it all.
Doors Open: 6 PM
Live Performances Begin: 7 PM-10PM
Step into a time machine of music and let the decades take you on an unforgettable journey! Relive the hits from the ’60s to the ‘2000s with incredible tribute performances that’ll have you dancing all night long.
Doors open at 6 PM.
Performances kick off at 7 PM.
From timeless classics to deep cuts that defined an era, keep the dance floor alive with the irresistible rhythms and smooth sounds that made Motown legendary. Don’t miss a night of soulful vibes and nonstop energy!
Door Opens: 6 PM
Live Performance Begin: 7 PM – 10 PM
Experience a thrilling variety of Rock, Folk, Blues, and Country music every Wednesday night! A high-energy event featuring live bands and DJs across six stages! From rock anthems to country classics and everything in between, this night promises non-stop entertainment and unforgettable performances.
Doors Open: 6 PM
Live Performances: 7 PM – 11 PM
Deborah Barsotti
Education director
deb@musiccitysf.org
More info coming soon!
Aprill Lacey
Executive Director
Aprill@musiccitysf.org
Contact Aprill for booking inquiries!
