ArtistWorks

ArtistWorks is an interactive online music learning platform.

Using the company’s patented Video Exchange Learning style, individuals can access recorded music lessons and interact directly with Grammy-winning course instructors.

Since launching 10 years ago, ArtistWorks has taught more than 87,000 people, and its courses have been implemented in programs at top colleges including UCLA and Carnegie Mellon University.

In 2018, nearly half of Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 play music. And there are more than 100,000 music educators and 60 million active “music makers” in the U.S.

In addition, the eLearning market is projected to reach $240 billion by 2023. A major component driving this growth is known as social learning, or collaborative learning. ArtistWorks offers this type of learning with its online platform.

The core of the company’s platform is its Video Exchange Learning style. This process enables students to interact directly with music professionals at their own pace, and access a library of recorded music lessons.

The library has more than 900 hours of recorded instructional videos, and can be accessed at any time from any device. While learning, students can pause and rewind videos to practice at their own speed. ArtistWorks’ library features various levels of video instruction, ranging from fundamentals to advanced lessons.

Course instructors are all music professionals and include multiple award-winning artists — for example:

Grammy-nominated rock guitarist Paul Gilbert…

Grammy-winning bluegrass guitarist Bryan Sutton…

And Grammy-winning banjo player Tony Trischka.

Students can record themselves playing their instrument and send the video to their instructor. Within a few days, students will receive a personal video response.

All submissions and responses are paired together and added to ArtistWorks’ virtual library, where other students can watch and learn from the interaction.

In addition to its library of videos, ArtistWorks offers a Music Certificate Program. This program is offered in step-by-step music lessons taught over a 12-week course.

Along with learning how to play an instrument, students are taught music theory, improvisation, ear training, and skills to decrease anxiety performing on-stage. Students learn through videos and study materials, and must take online quizzes and submit videos to their instructors for a final grade.

Upon successful completion, ArtistWorks sends students a certificate of completion and a badge, enabling them to share their music accreditations online.

ArtistWorks has been granted academic accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. This qualified ArtistWorks to be a supplemental education provider of online music instruction to students in grades 9 through 12 in the U.S.

The company offers its courses through licensing agreements with Lynda.com (owned by LinkedIn) and Recorded Books. These agreements provide LinkedIn Learning’s 17 million members with access to seven of ArtistWorks’ courses. The company also has a deal with Alfred Publishing to license some of its musical publications.

ArtistWorks generates revenue through monthly subscriptions to its platform, and charges for enrollment in its certificate programs. It also brings in licensing fees as an additional revenue source.

In 2017, the company generated $3.3 million in revenue. And as of August, its 2018 revenues were $2.2 million.

In the future, ArtistWorks plans to launch an accredited High School Music Certificate Program that will include the equivalent of several semesters of learning material for students. The company aims to launch this program in 2019.

Team Background

Patricia Butler - Co-Founder & CEO

Patricia started ArtistWorks with her husband, David.

Before that, she was a harvest consultant for Rubicon Winery, a winery owned by award-winning filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.

For more than eight years, she worked as Assistant Vice President of Private Client Services for Merrill Lynch. She was responsible for managing and selecting investments for private clients and retirement funds for companies.

Patricia earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, and Music from Penn State University, where she was a member of the school’s orchestra and marching band.

David Butler - Co-Founder & Chairman

David has served as ArtistWorks’ Chairman since its inception in 2008.

Prior to starting the company, he worked for 11 years at America Online, or “AOL.” He began his career there in the company’s strategy and software division, and led a team of programmers in the development of the user interface for the first version of AOL.

Later on, David was promoted to Vice President of Strategy and Technology at AOL, where he continued to oversee the development of subsequent versions of AOL.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from University of Maryland, College Park.

John Graves - Vice President

John is responsible for ArtistWorks’ business development, artist recruitment, and project management.

In addition to his time with the company, he worked as a professional musician.

He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Digital Arts from Expression College for Digital Arts.

David co-founded in 2008 and has been serving as Chairman ever since. Prior to co-founding ArtistWorks - he worked for 11 years at AOL in strategy and software. While at AOL

Patricia co-founded ArtistWorks in 2008 and originally served as President until 2014 - when she became CEO. Prior to co-founding ArtistWorks

John joined ArtistWorks in 2008 as a cameraman and audio engineer. As ArtistWorks Vice President - John is responsible for business development

Co-Investors