This spring, teens from across the region gather at the historic site of Woodstock to create, collaborate, and grow in a dynamic studio environment. Project Identity: Open Studios is a 10-week immersive program where participants choose a creative track in Animation for Digital Media or Music Production and work alongside peers under the guidance of experienced Teaching Artists and Bethel Woods staff.

Through hands-on experience with industry-standard digital media tools, teens develop technical skills, creative confidence, and a strong artistic voice, all within a supportive community that encourages experimentation, collaboration, and self-expression.

Animation for Digital Media: Animation for Digital Media invites teens to explore the exciting world of digital animation and video production in a supportive, professional studio environment.

Designed for teens ages 14 to 18, this free program introduces students to the full animation process from concept to final edit. Participants will experiment with hand-drawn cel animation, stop-motion, digital frame-by-frame animation, and rotoscoping (drawing directly over video footage). Using iPads and Mac computers, students will learn how to turn their ideas into fully realized animated video shorts.

Whether you’re interested in storytelling, illustration, filmmaking, music videos, or digital design, this program gives you the tools and mentorship to develop your own animated short or music video for your creative portfolio.

Students will:

• Draw and paint directly onto video using iPads
• Animate frame-by-frame using professional software
• Explore stop-motion techniques
• Edit video and sound for a polished final product
• Learn art direction and production planning
• Build a portfolio-ready digital media project

Tools You’ll Use:

• Procreate (iPad)
• Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Premiere Pro
• Adobe Audition
• Stop-Motion Studio
• Mac desktops and laptops
• iPads

Music Production: You do not need experience to start making music... you just need access, guidance, and a space to explore.

The Music Production Track invites teens into a real working recording studio to learn the art and science behind professional sound.

Designed for teens ages 14 to 18, this free program offers an immersive introduction to music production and audio engineering. Students learn how songs are recorded, edited, mixed, and produced, not just as musicians, but as producers and engineers.

Working inside the Bethel Woods recording studio, participants gain hands-on experience with industry-standard tools and software. Through guided instruction and project-based learning, students explore microphone placement, signal flow, digital editing, and mixing techniques while developing their own tracks and collaborating with peers. With mentorship from experienced Teaching Artists and Bethel Woods staff, teens develop both technical expertise and creative confidence. The program balances structured learning with hands-on studio time, giving students space to experiment, refine their sound, and build practical industry skills.

Whether you're curious about producing beats, recording live instruments, mixing vocals, or pursuing a future in audio engineering, this program provides real-world studio experience and technical foundations that can lead to further study or entry-level roles in audio production.

Students will:

• Learn proper microphone placement and recording techniques
• Understand signal flow through a mixing console
• Edit and arrange audio using professional software
• Explore equalization, dynamics, and effects processing
• Collaborate with fellow musicians and creators
• Produce and mix tracks in a professional studio setting

Tools You’ll Use:

• Pro Tools
• Professional microphones and recording equipment
• Mixing consoles
• Studio monitors and headphones
• Digital editing and effects processors