Make the Music You Hear in Your Head

Hands-on workshops & programs in music production, audio engineering, and songwriting, taught by working professionals in Edmonton's only dedicated creative studio.

Most musicians know what they want their music to sound like. Getting there is a different story. The Teaching Room bridges that gap with small-group workshops built around real gear, honest feedback, and the kind of practical knowledge that only comes from people still actively working in the industry.

No fluff. No massive classrooms. Just you, a small group of serious creators, and the skills to finally make your sound match your vision.

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The Fastest Path From Passion to Professional

The Teaching Room was founded by Umesh Sahajpal, a working audio engineer and music producer with over 25 years in the industry. Umesh has worked with major artists, produced content for BET, FOX, ESPN, CBS, and CTV, served as a multi-year Juno Awards judge, and spent over a decade building and leading post-secondary audio programs in Edmonton.

Every workshop at The Teaching Room is taught by professionals who are actively working in their field, not retired instructors teaching from outdated playbooks. What you learn here is what's actually working right now.

Based in Edmonton, Alberta, The Teaching Room is the city's only dedicated music production and audio engineering workshop studio. Whether you're an Edmonton artist looking to self-produce, a songwriter ready to take your craft seriously, or someone pursuing a career in the music industry, our workshops are designed to get you there faster than any other path in the city.

Hands-On Experience

Every session uses professional-grade gear and industry-standard software, the same tools used on records you've actually heard.

Small Classes by Design

Maximum 4 students per workshop. More time with the instructor, more time on the gear, and real feedback on your work every single session.

Career Support

Our instructors are actively working in the industry. What you learn here comes directly from people who are still doing it at a professional level.

Two Ways to Learn With Us

The Singer-Songwriter Production Program

A private 10-session intensive for singers and songwriters in Edmonton. Write, record, produce, and release your own original song with a working producer by your side the entire way. 5 weeks. 20 hours. One finished song.

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Our Workshops

Want to start with a single session? Our 90-minute workshops deliver real, practical knowledge in one focused evening. Songwriting craft, music production, and the creative process — taught by working professionals in Edmonton.

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Student Success Stories

"I've been running my studio successfully for over 12 years. Umesh at The Teaching Room taught me everything — engineering, audio production, all of it."

Graham Smith, Owner & Engineer of Atreus XO Studios, Edmonton

"Umesh taught me everything I needed — song arrangement, music theory, how to mic a drum kit, mix a song, master it. He is a huge reason I can call this my job."

Joey Roach, Owner, Producer and Engineer, Cold Weather Studios, Edmonton

"Umesh is so knowledgeable in production, writing, music theory, and music business. He will get you where you want to be faster than you know."

Matt "4K Frenchie" Fagnan, Musician and Producer, Edmonton

What Past Students Are Saying

  • Person with a guitar in a home studio setup, featuring dual monitors displaying a digital audio workstation, audio equipment, and a smartphone on the desk.

    ★★★★★

    "It has been a privilege to learn from Umesh. During my time with him, he provided invaluable lessons and insights that transformed what I once thought was unachievable into something within reach. If you pay attention and take his advice, you’ll gain valuable knowledge that will benefit you long after your time together.

    Additionally, I made lifelong friends among the like-minded people in his classes, which was a wonderful bonus!"

    — Cody Slobodian

  • Man wearing a black cap and a light beige shirt against a plain background.

    ★★★★★

    “Umesh has been nothing short of a gem. He’s as honest as they come. He taught me how to properly write, produce, and mix, ultimately setting me on a path to reach my potential. Over the years, I've stayed in touch with Umesh, sending him demos, and he’s always taken the time to give me feedback—even when he didn’t have to. I truly appreciate all the wisdom and guidance he’s provided.”

    — Neal Alexander

  • Side profile of a person wearing a black bucket hat and chain necklace, looking up against a dark background.

    ★★★★★

    "When I started learning from Umesh, I wanted to handle every part of my projects myself, but I quickly realized how demanding that process can be. One of the most valuable lessons I took away was understanding that I didn’t want to be a mixing engineer. Instead, learning mixing and recording techniques helped me communicate my creative vision more clearly with my engineers.

    The work I created with Umesh remains the highest quality music I’ve made, thanks to his push for me to step out of my comfort zone. I’m proud of the results, and it remains one of the most valuable learning experiences I’ve had."

    — Noel “Trippz” Wysocki

  • Man with a beard and dark hair standing in a music store, surrounded by acoustic guitars on display.

    ★★★★★

    “I had the opportunity to learn from Umesh. Even within a few months, he shared years' worth of valuable knowledge. Umesh is a skilled audio engineer with a deep understanding of music theory, composition, recording techniques, mixing, and more. His teaching style gave us a solid foundation in industry techniques while encouraging us to be creative and find our own sound. I highly recommend Umesh to anyone pursuing a career in the music or audio industry."

    — Matt Fagnan

  • A person wearing a gray hoodie stands in a dimly lit area against a colorful graffiti wall, looking down.

    ★★★★★

    "The methods, beliefs and approach to music production and songwriting is above and beyond anything that you're gonna find on the internet.  You are gonna walk away with knowledge that you will be using for years and years to come."

    — JP Mandanas

  • Smiling person wearing a black cap and black shirt

    ★★★★★

    "Learning from Umesh has greatly improved my understanding of sound and audio, helping me develop better taste and enhance my skills as a music producer and audio engineer. He offers genuine constructive criticism, cutting through the fluff to foster grit and self-awareness. His wealth of knowledge benefits anyone fortunate enough to study under him.

    Umesh's industry experience sets him apart, providing peace of mind that you are learning from a passionate and professional mentor. He creates a learning path that plays to students' strengths while supporting them along the way to ensure their success. I wholeheartedly recommend him as an instructor and mentor."

    — Nilo Roman

Modern workspace with computers, white desks, blue chairs, and wooden acoustic panels on the wall.
Row of computer monitors with keyboards and audio mixers on desks in an office or studio setting.
Modern audio production studio with acoustic panels, desks with computers and sound equipment, blue chairs, and red sound baffles.
Music production studio setup with a large curved monitor, digital audio workstation, keyboard, soundproofing panels, and acoustic treatment.
Close-up of an analog synthesizer with various faders, knobs, and buttons.
Close-up of an audio mixer with knobs and cables on a desk next to a computer mouse.
A group of people seated in chairs inside a modern room with exposed ductwork and acoustic panels on the walls. Some individuals are wearing jackets, and one person is raising their hand. A desk or podium with a computer is visible in front.
A group of people seated in a conference room attending a presentation. A speaker is standing in front of a screen displaying text. The room has modern decor with acoustic panels, a kitchenette with refrigerators, and computers on a desk.
Classroom with a group of people sitting in chairs listening to a speaker near a screen. The room has modern lighting and acoustic panels.
Person wearing headphones working on audio editing software on a desktop computer in an office setting. A smartphone and other equipment are on the desk.
A group of people working in an office setting with computers. One person wearing headphones is using audio editing software on a desktop computer, another individual is using a laptop, and a third person is sitting at a separate desk in the backgrou
Two men working at computers in an office setting. The man in the foreground is using audio editing software, wearing headphones, with a smartphone on the desk. The man in the background is focused on a laptop screen.
Two people working at computers, one wearing headphones and using audio software, in an office setting.