2025 OMG Studios’ Music Innovation Lab In Full Force with The War and Treaty
The 2025 Innovation Music Lab Cohort is in full force!
In its 2nd official launch year, we are proud to welcome six amazingly talented youth to the 2025 music innovation lab, whose ages range from 14-18. The name of their band is The Black Note.
OMG Studios Director, Monique Linder commented on the importance of transferring knowledge to youth . . .
“On March 25th, we were blessed with a Music Innovation Lab Session with Michael and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty during their first “Plus One” tour stop in Minneapolis, MN. This is an important element of OMG Studios’ immersive music lab instruction, learning the music business from professional artists, musicians, entertainment lawyers and industry experts. The War and Treaty shared their brilliance with the youth, and the parents in attendance, after a 15-minute The Black Note set of four songs performed for Michael and Tanya Trotter of The War and Treaty. It was such a beautiful evening bearing witness to the impact and responsibility that Artists have to pass their knowledge to present and future generations. Our goal is not to have a dark space where knowledge dies in the music sphere between generations.”
Three years ago, OMG Media successfully piloted the program before opening OMG Studios in 2024, by partnering with the MN State Fair to feature the band Ujamaa Music Group on the International Bizarre Stage. In 2024, OMG Studios opened its doors in the Creative Enterprise Zone in Saint Paul, with 3,200 square feet of professional, state-of-the-art production space, that includes a recording studio, podcast studio, live event performance space, artist green room and an innovation lab course instruction space. The innovation lab participants are immersed into live OMG Studios’ productions shadowing professional audio and production engineers.
The students commit to a full year of sessions that include a mix of classroom, immersive lab instruction and live events activities for youth at differing levels of arts, literature and music technical skills. Participants discover their passion along the way and connection to the artist they are and strive to be.
We are grateful to The War and Treaty for the time they spent pouring their knowledge and support into the youth. We are grateful to the parents of these incredible young people, for their commitment and support in teaching their children to honor the music greats that came before them, and recognizing and supporting the talent their children were born with.
These sessions are extremely valuable to participant progression in understanding the business of music (good and bad), developing their stage presence, and learning how to protect themselves in an industry known for exploitation. Michael and Tanya Trotter were extremely generous with their time spent answering questions from the youth, and their parents.
Photo credit: OMG Studios Photographer: Nagashia Jackson
Music Innovation Lab Photo Gallery
Learn more about OMG Studios’ Innovation Lab at: https://omgmediasolutions.com/innovation-lab/
OMG Studios
550 Vandalia St.
Ste. 220
Saint Paul, MN 55114
Media Contact: Monique Linder
Email: monique@omgmediasolutions.com
About OMG Studios Innovation Lab
OMG Studios Innovation Lab is an interactive and evolving music, art and literature immersion project that will function as a cultural content creator hub. Participants will create a wide array of multimedia, inspired by the Twin Cities’ rich music and art culture. Its mission is to provide a creative outlet for youth for music, art and literary expression, development, and education.
OMG Studios Cultural Sustainability Promise
Our work is centered around building cultural sustainability and community, where music and art are essential to human survival and development. We are driven by love for humanity and a desire to empower, nurture, and improve the health and wellness of youth and families in under-invested communities.
