Jefferson Center - Roanoke's Premier Performing Arts and Cultural Center

2026-2027

Fall Semester: Aug 24, 2026 - Dec 10, 2026
Spring Semester: Jan 11, 2027 - June 3, 2027

Join us for another exciting year in the Music Lab! A cornerstone of the youth music scene in Roanoke, the Music Lab offers many unique opportunities for students 6th - 12th grade to learn, explore, and create.

Learn more below or sign up now.

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Open Lab

4 - 7pm, Mondays and Thursdays

At the heart of the Music Lab is Open Lab, our twice-weekly program that provides students in 6th - 12th grade with the knowledge, support, and resources they need to begin writing and recording their own music. Students benefit from engaging lessons on recording technology and techniques, music business, musicianship, music history, songwriting, music theory, and more. Access to our state-of-the-art recording studios gives students the creative freedom to apply their new knowledge in personal projects that grow throughout the year. During special Open Lab sessions, students hear from industry professionals who share information about their career path and advice for how to have success in their field.

Beyond our lessons, creative time, and career discussions, community is at the heart of what we do. Students are encouraged to share new music they’re listening to, have conversations about their week, and discuss music topics that interest them. By collaborating with their peers on projects, students also build strong friendships and creative relationships along the way. The Music Lab is where both creativity and community come to thrive.

Music Lab Band

5 - 7pm, Wednesdays

Music Lab Band is open to enrolled Music Lab students and gives young musicians the opportunity to build foundational skills in a professional setting. As a social art, music requires the artist to collaborate effectively with others. The Music Lab Band teaches students how to work in an ensemble setting, share feedback productively, prepare repertoire, and perform in front of live audiences.

Each month, students collectively write or select several songs to learn and rehearse. Once their new repertoire is comfortable, they perform in a featured slot at the monthly Music Lab Open Mic. The band’s work together culminates in performances at the Student Showcase at the end of each semester.

Music Lab Open Mic

6 - 8pm, Fri, Sept 18

6 - 8pm, Fri, OCT 16

6 - 8pm, Fri, NOV 20

6 - 8pm, Fri, JAN 15

6 - 8pm, Fri, FEB 19

6 - 8pm, Fri, MAR 19

6 - 8pm, Fri, MAY 27

Performing is at the heart of what we do as musicians. The Music Lab is committed to creating spaces where young musicians can engage in the art in front of a live audience. The Music Lab Open Mic is one such space and is open to all young musicians in 6th - 12th grade. The Open Mic takes place in the Music Lab at Jefferson Center with first-come-first-serve sign ups at the door. Students may perform three songs or up to fifteen minutes (whichever comes first) but are not required to fill the whole time. Original music is encouraged but not required. At this time, only musical performances are allowed (no spoken poetry or stand-up comedy).

The Music Lab Open Mic is a supportive, creative, community space. All participants—regardless of their Music Lab enrollment status—must make every effort to maintain that environment. Part of that requires participants to follow Music Lab rules. These include, but are not limited to:
1) No swearing, slurs, or other crude language and
2) No references to violence or sexual topics.
These rules apply to songs performed in the Open Mic and any conversations in the Music Lab.

Camps, Masterclasses, Workshops, and Soundcheck Q&As

See tab at the top of this page for scheduling information.

An important aspect of growing as a musician is learning from industry professionals. Jefferson Center is thrilled to provide such experiences in our camps, masterclasses, workshops, and soundcheck Q&As. New workshops and camps will be announced throughout the sememster. Visit the tab at the top of this page for more information.

Students enrolled in Music Lab receive a 50% discount to all Music Lab camps.

Enrollment

Music Lab enrollment is $250 per semester.
Financial assistance is available based on financial need and will be assessed in the enrollment process.

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FAQ's

WHO CAN ATTEND?

Open Lab, Music Lab Band, the Music Lab Open Mic, and Music Lab camps are open only to students in 6th - 12th grade.

What will I be learning?

Students learn essential knowledge and skills for developing successful careers in the music industry. This includes lessons on recording technology and techniques, music business, musicianship, music history, songwriting, music theory, and more. Students also have time to explore their creativity in self-led recording sessions with Music Lab staff on hand for support.

I'm INTERESTED, BUT how can I get more information?

Contact lhaefner@jeffcenter.org with any questions or requests for more information.

Masterclasses and Workshops are offered to our students prior to many of our performances. Previous years' classes have included instruction from Branford Marsalis, Melissa Aldana, and Maceo Parker. This innovative program no doubt provides unforgettable experiences to our students. Those participating in arts education programs throughout our community such as public school band programs, The Roanoke Youth Symphony and The Roanoke Children’s Theatre are also invited to attend sessions each year.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS, Masterclasses, & Camps

Indian Folk Dance Workshop‍

With Katrina Ji of Rajasthani Caravan

Wed

Sep 23, 2026 7:00 PM

Wed, Sept 23, 7:00PM
FITZPATRICK HALL

LEARN MORE

PROJECT SHOWCASES

Sammy Miller and the Congregation

Free Community Concert and Student Workshops

This seven-piece group is a community of adventurous and charismatic superstar musicians who are conservatory-trained but who have not lost their childlike wonder and awe for playing music. They pull people out of their solitary lives and put them in the moment with a bracing dose of joyful jazz performed with infectious theatricality. In addition to the free community concert, Sammy Miller and the Congregation led TWO workshops with local students on the same day.

SONGWRITING CAMP WITH MARGARET GLASPY

In June, 2022, well-renowned singer-songwriter Margaret Glaspy did a three-part songwriting workshop with some of our active Music Lab students. Margaret proved to be a very insightful and adept teacher for the students and they each were able to finish the workshop with some great new tools for writing songs. Watch the video to hear key take-aways from students as well as some insights from Margaret herself.

Nate Smith Songwriters Project

In October of 2017, drummer and educator Nate Smith worked with students from our Music Lab during a multi-day residency. Smith, who also performed in our Jazz Club later that week, worked as producer, interacting closely with students on their original compositions, yielding three songs to be released in the summer of 2018.

For additional information on any of these or the above programs, please contact the Music Lab
musiclab@jeffcenter.org | 540-685-2309

The Music Lab at Jefferson Center serves the music community as one of the premiere state-of-the-art recording facilities in Southwest Virginia. The studio boasts up to 26 simultaneous inputs, a vast collection of microphones and preamplifiers, four isolation rooms, a spacious live room, and years of experience in both recording and mixing.

BOOK A SESSION BOOK A RECORDING SESSION

EQUIPMENT LIST

Guitar Amps
‍1969 Fender Super Reverb
Vox AC15C1
Mesa Boogie Dual Rectifier Blue Angel
‍Bass Amps
‍Gallien-Krueger MB115
Gallien-Krueger MB110
Peavey KB/A60
‍Guitars
‍Gibson SJ200
Rickenbacker 325
Epiphone Les Paul Custom
Danelectro 57’ reissue
Kay K673 w/Bigsby
Fender American Strat with Roalnd midi pickup
Taylor 210
Fender American Robert Cray Strat
‍Basses
‍Franken P-Bass
Ibanez TB300
‍Kits
‍Gretsch Catalina Maple Kit
Gretsch Catalina Club Kit

Pro Tools Studio
Logic
FL Studio 21
Hearback Hub
‍Control Surface
‍Avid C24
Universal Audio Apollo 16
‍PreAmps
‍A Designs Audio Pacifica Two-Channel Preamp
PreSonus Eureka Transformer Coupled Class A Preamp
Cartec Pre-Q5
Rupert Neve 517
Golden Age Pre 573
‍Speakers
‍Focal CMS65

AMT-1C - Adam
C1000S - AKG
P2 Perception - AKG
C3000 - AKG
AT4040 - Audio Technica
D6 - Audix
D2 - Audix
D4 - Audix
i5 - Audix
APX-51 - Audix
SCX 25h - Audix
M500C - Beyer
D12 Kicker - CAD
PL84 - Electro-Voice
CM-3C - Galaxy Audio
Bullet Condensor - Karma
Condensor - Maono
A-55 Kicker - MXL
TLM 103 - Neumann
R14 - Peluso
22-47 - Peluso
P-28 - Peluso
P-84 - Peluso
NT2 - RODE
Q4 - Samson
E825S - Sennheiser
SM58 - Shure
SM57 - Shure
VP88 - Shure
98h - Shure

READY FOR THE
NEXT STEP?

BOOK A SESSION

For additional info:

musiclab@jeffcenter.org
540.685.2309

THE HARRY &Lavon WebbEducation Center