At EM Studio, Sam Mentink teaches musicians of any skill level how to use Ableton Live’s flexible and fluid digital audio software. EM Studio is Auckland’s first private electronic music training studio, where Sam is teaching anyone interested in learning how to make music. Once the basics are mastered, he says, students are banging out tunes in no time.

What makes being able to learn these techniques and skills so important?

After being a musician for nearly 17 years, I’ve learned that a huge part of making music is about articulating your emotions; in a sense, it’s a journey inward. Knowing how to express your thoughts through making music is a hugely enriching experience. Whether you're making sound for others, or for your own enjoyment.

What is Ableton Live and how have you been able to utilise this to make music from home? 

The great thing about Ableton Live is you can make pretty much any kind of music or soundtrack you want, right from your computer. That means you can be making music at home on your headphones without annoying your flatmates or partner. It’s a lot easier than buying a drum kit. 

What makes you stand out from other music education providers?

Often larger education providers teach a broad range of skills that can be unnecessary for what you want to achieve. The goal is to get you enjoying making music. You don’t have to invest in a student loan to do that. With EM Studio, you can go lesson by lesson with no minimum commitment. I tailor lessons to people’s interest and skill level. Whether someone has been making music for a while or is totally new to it. I get on their level and help them understand each stage of the process in a manageable and fun way. 

What made you want to start teaching others to make music? Where did that passion originate? 

It's been really satisfying to see people thrive in their creative pursuits. My career has spanned Melbourne, Berlin and now home and I’ve enjoyed training people in both production and DJing for the last 10 years. During the lockdown, I realised it was time to launch a new studio aimed at helping New Zealanders reach their creative goals. Now that working from home is more the norm, it's a perfect time to pursue a new art form.

Where can our readers learn more about you and your programmes? 

Checkout emstudio.live for more info. You can email me there to book a session or shoot me any questions.