ArtistWorks


ArtistWorks, LLC is an online music learning education platform based out of Napa, CA. ArtistWorks was founded by David and Patricia Butler in 2008. The company developed a proprietary patented system for interacting with teachers based upon online Video Exchange Learning which students use to upload videos of themselves playing and ArtistWorks instructors respond with video feedback with both videos paired together and made visible for all students in the online course.
ArtistWorks has enlisted over 35 different well-known master musicians including Paul Gilbert, Nathan East, Tony Trischka, Peter Erskine, Mike Marshall and many more, who have recorded extensive that players can learn from, whether or not they submit a video.

Headquarters

ArtistWorks, LLC.'s main office and headquarters are located at 68 Coombs St., Suite C1 in Napa, CA 94559

Background

After his retirement as an executive from AOL in 1999, David Butler began his quest to learn jazz guitar but had difficulty finding an adequate local instructor. He turned to many books and tapes but found those resources frustrating and inadequate. The idea of ArtistWorks stemmed from his desire to democratize access to master musicians. His wish to connect students from all over the world with accomplished players was the basis for developing ArtistWorks. In 2008 the company was launched by Butler and his wife, Patricia Butler, who went on to develop this platform for quality interactive online instruction.
In 2018 ArtistWorks launched the "ArtistWorks Music Certificate Program," a 12-week structured online learning experience with four skill levels. The Program uses both patented technology and academic accreditation from the as a Supplemental Education Provider. ArtistWorks has also made this program available for high schools, offering school credit to students. Courses include instruction in blues guitar and ukulele. ArtistWorks has developed an industry-unique automated scoring rubric that will be used for mass assessment of Certificate Program students’ performance skills.
In 2019 ArtistWorks launched a new podcast focusing on interviews with master musicians called the The first episode includes an interview with Mike Marshall and is titled “The Blurring of Bluegrass.”

Patents

ArtistWorks applied for the first patent on its video management system referred to as the Video Exchange Learning® platform in 2008. The first patent that was issued in June of 2015 provides for online students of any subject to learn from an online video lesson library that has within it, a request for students to submit a video to the teacher for evaluation. When students upload a video for review, the teacher receives their video in a management queue and responds with a newly recorded video of instruction and guidance specific to the needs of the student who submitted the video. The system then keeps both videos tied together and displays the paired videos to a library that is visible to all online students of the course being offered.
The second patent issued in November of 2017 broadened the original claims pertaining to the teachers’ end of the video management system. The third issued patent in December of 2018 further broadened other existing claims pertaining to the processing of the two videos. The current Video Exchange Learning® platform teaches music to learners within 35 different music courses offered at ArtistWorks, LLC although the underlying concept of the patented system is subject agnostic.

Launch and Courses

ArtistWorks, LLC. was founded on September 25th, 2008 but the first online music lesson course did not launch until May of 2009. The first course was led by artist DJ Qbert. Following the launch of the DJ Skratch Lessons school, ArtistWorks proceeded to launch the following schools:
ArtistWorks has hosted several onsite master classes. In January 2019 they hosted bluegrass artists Bryan Sutton and Andy Hall at their Napa headquarters and flew contest winners in to participate in the Big Bluegrass Giveaway. The Big Ukulele Giveaway with Craig Chee and Sarah Maisel followed at the end of January 2019. The company hosted the Big Jazz Giveaway with John Patitucci, George Whitty, Eric Marienthal and Peter Erskine in April 2019 and the Big Bluegrass Virtual Masterclass with Mike Marshall, Tony Trischka and Michael Daves in July 2019.
In December 2019 the company will host a guitar getaway and master class featuring Nathan East, Guthrie Trapp and Keith Wyatt.

Official Links