Classes @ Spy Hop

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We offer free classes in film, audio, music, and design year-round for teens 12 – 19 at the Kahlert Youth Media Arts Center. Spy Hop classes are for all teens — this is a safe and inclusive space to be creative, express yourself, and tell your story. 

Spy Hop’s year-round classes adjust with the seasons. From fall through spring we offer classes and workshops during the after school hours of 4-8 pm; during summer we offer expanded class hours!

Our program model offers a scaffolded approach to classes;  from Drop-In/Open Studio, to intensive Capstone experiences, all skills and abilities are welcome. Class sizes are small and provide hands-on, project-based learning using state-of-the art gear. 

Visit the Spy Hop Summer Camp page to explore summer programs for kids ages 9 – 12!

Find the perfect Spy Hop class for you using the categories below. Questions? Need guidance? Contact our program team by calling 801-532-7500 or email programs@spyhop.org.

FACILITY HOURS
Mon-Thurs: 9AM – 8PM
Friday: 9AM – 7PM
Closed weekends

FALL – SPRING CLASS SCHEDULE
Mon-Thurs: 4PM – 8PM
Friday: 3PM – 7PM

SUMMER CLASS SCHEDULE
Mon-Thurs: 9AM – 8PM
Friday: 9AM – 7PM

We love public transit! Go green — the 9-line bus and 900 S TRAX stop (all TRAX lines pass through here!) are literally at our front door. Students enrolled in a Spy Hop class have access to free UTA passes.

Learn more about getting to Spy Hop >>

DROP-IN
PROGRAM

No commitment — show up, make music

Ages: 15 - 19

Are you a music lover between the ages of 15 – 19 looking to use a professional recording studio for free? You are in luck! Come into the Spy Hop studio each Friday from 3 to 6 pm to get recorded, learn how to record, or use the various studio facilities for free, including instruments, music production software, drum machines and so much more. Hip-hop artists, rock bands, and classical musicians, all are welcome in Open Studio! No experience is required, just come in and sign in at the front desk.

FOUNDATIONAL
PROGRAM

Introductory - build your media production skills

Ages: 12 - 19

Spy Hop’s Foundational (introductory) classes in film, music, audio and design are offered in two tiers, one for students ages 12-14 and another for students ages 15-19. These bite size classes are tailored to give you the opportunity to build your skills in your chosen medium. Foundational classes are offered monthly and give you plenty of opportunity to enroll in a class that fits your schedule and interests. Take one, or take them all, Foundational Classes are meant to give you the skills you need to take your creative ideas to the next level.

APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM

Intensive, 4 month commitment — earn a stipend

Ages: 15 - 19

The Apprenticeship Program allows you to make your passion your profession. If you have the basic skills and are looking to expand your knowledge and try your hand at real-world job experience, then a Spy Hop Apprenticeship in film, music promotion, audio engineering, or design is for you. As an apprentice you will commit to a 4 month program with 4 hours per week of in-class time along with additional out of class time assignments and projects. By taking on real clients, and exploring your own artistic voice, you will build a portfolio of professional and personal work that is reviewed by industry professionals. Apprentices earn a $200 stipend for successful completion of the program.

BOOTCAMP
PROGRAM

Fast-paced, intensive classes focused on skill building

Ages: 15 - 19

Join a Spy Hop Bootcamp to elevate your filmmaking skills and ignite your creativity. Dive into the world of filmmaking, from documentaries to short impact pieces, and gain hands-on experience. Develop your storytelling abilities and showcase your work online. Our fast-paced classes focus on skill-building and offer an intense, passionate learning environment to fuel your creativity alongside your peers.

CAPSTONE
PROGRAM

Intensive, immersive experience — take your art to the next level

Ages: 15 - 19

A Capstone class gives you the opportunity to truly immerse yourself in the art and craft of media production. From radio to film; hip-hop to indie rock, or game design, we have an intensive program suited to match your creativity and commitment to bringing the stories you want to tell to life.  Being accepted into a capstone class requires a serious time commitment (10 to 12 months) as well as dedication to the creative process and a small group of peers who are as passionate about media production as you are. All capstone classes culminate in a community celebration to showcase your work.

All Upcoming Classes

Audio, Music 
| Drop In
September 6 – August 29, 2025
Every Friday | 3 – 7pm

Ages 15 - 19

EVERY FRIDAY! Learn to record, get recorded, use instruments, music production software, drums and more.
FREE!
Audio, Music 
| Capstone
September 30 – July 30, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 6 – 8pm

Ages 15 - 19

If you love making hip-hop music, this class is for you! Join a rap group, write songs, produce an album, and perform around the Salt Lake Valley in this ten month program.
Audio, Design, Music 
| Capstone
September 30 – July 30, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 6 – 8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Wanna host your own radio show on 90.9FM KRCL? Become a Loudie and learn everything you need to know to be an amazing teen DJ — play the music you love and talk about the issues that are important to you every Saturday night.
Design 
| Capstone
October 1 – July 31, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Take your game from prototype to gold! Work as part of a teen team of designers and programmers to create a full video game that investigates an issue you’re passionate about in this 10 month program.
Design 
| Drop In
October 4 – December 20, 2024
Every Friday | 3 – 7pm

Ages 15 - 19

EVERY FRIDAY! Deep dive on a design skill like: game design, animation, comic book or cosplay/costume design.
FREE!
Music 
| Capstone
October 8 – July 31, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 6 – 8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Join a band, write songs, and record a record in this ten month class. You’ll become part of a real band with other young artists to write songs and perform around Salt Lake Valley.
Audio, Design, Film, Music 
|
October 29 – November 21, 2024
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Try a little bit of everything Spy Hop has to offer: spend the one week each learning about film, audio, music and design.
Film 
| Capstone
November 25 – November 6, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 6 – 8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Work with other like-minded artists and spend twelve months conceptualizing, screenwriting, pitching, producing, editing, and premiering four short films. This class wraps up with your very own red carpet film premiere!
Design 
| Apprenticeship
January 13 – May 21, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Become a design apprentice and learn what it takes to make design your career! Get hands-on client experience and build your professional portfolio, all while earning a stipend.
FREE
Audio 
| Apprenticeship
January 13 – May 21, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Become an audio apprentice and learn what it takes to have a career in music production and audio engineering! Get hands-on client experience and build your professional portfolio, all while earning a stipend.
FREE
Music 
| Apprenticeship
January 13 – May 21, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Our local musicians need support getting their music out of the garage and into the community. Join the 801 Sessions team and do your part to support and promote the local youth music scene as you navigate how to put on shows and document live performances. Build a portfolio and earn a stipend.
FREE
Film 
| Apprenticeship
January 13 – May 21, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Become a film apprentice and learn what it takes to make film your career! Get hands-on client experience and build your portfolio, all while earning a stipend.
FREE
Film 
| Foundational
January 13 – February 5, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Play with the standards and rules of filmmaking to create something new and different! Experiment with film in this 4-week workshop.
Design 
| Foundational
January 13 – February 5, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Learn to create your own arcade-style games! Design pixel art characters, create simple games, and dive into beginner-friendly coding.
Film 
| Bootcamp
January 14 – May 22, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Share your voice through film in Watch This!, a 5-month program that invites you to be a part of something BIG. In this class, you’ll have the opportunity to direct your own short film and collaborate as a crew member on many others! At the end of the program, celebrate with your friends, family, and community with a film festival style premiere. Due to its fast paced nature, this class is recommended for more experienced Spy Hop film students, but not required.
FREE
Audio, Design, Film, Music 
| Foundational
January 14 – February 6, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Learn a little bit about everything Spy Hop has to offer: from a film blitz project, to a comic jam, to making music and sound design for video games!
Film 
| Foundational
January 28 – March 6, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Work together in groups to write, shoot, and edit a short film — plus you will learn all the different roles and positions on set.
Music 
| Foundational
January 28 – March 6, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Take your original song ideas from shower singing to performing! Learn all about chord progressions, lyric writing, singing, and performing.
Audio 
| Foundational
January 28 – March 6, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Learn the ins and outs of how to run a recording studio: get familiar with the tech, equipment, and recording techniques. Plus, you will study the basics of mixing!
Design 
| Foundational
January 28 – March 6, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 6 – 8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Love storytelling and video games? Create your own story-driven adventures, like as text-based games or visual novels using Twine and GameMaker.
Film 
| Foundational
February 24 – March 19, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Start your filmmaking journey in this four week class to learn the basics of cameras and lighting, plus making film stills, create shot lists, and learning editing tools.
Design 
| Foundational
February 24 – March 19, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Craft both physical zines and digital webcomics, tell exciting stories and even branch into choose-your-own-adventure tales. Bring your comic ideas to life!
Audio, Design, Film, Music 
| Foundational
February 25 – March 20, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Experiment with green screens, learn to record music, try out vox pop podcasting and radio, and learn to make pins in this four week class!
Audio 
| Foundational
March 25 – May 1, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Learn the basics of Ableton beat-making and music production in this course! Create your own songs using loops, software instruments, and custom sounds.
Design 
| Foundational
March 25 – May 1, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 6 – 8pm

Ages 15 - 19

Learn how to create awesome videos for both long and short content, explore the best ways of promoting yourself online, and dive into media literacy.
Film 
| Foundational
March 25 – May 1, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 15 - 19

Get into filmmaking in this six week workshop! Learn the basics of cameras and lighting, create shot lists, learn editing tools, and so much more.
Design 
| Foundational
April 7 – April 30, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Unleash your creativity in Intro to Cosplay! In this beginner class, learn the basics of designing costumes inspired by your favorite characters (or your own designs!)
Film 
| Foundational
April 7 – April 30, 2025
Monday/Wednesday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Join Set Production to start your journey: spend four weeks learning the basics of crew roles, set protocol, film blocking, production design, editing, and more!
Music 
| Foundational
April 8 – May 1, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

Learn how to rock in a band! Collaborate with other musicians, write music, and perform! Basic ability to play an instrument required.
Audio, Design, Film, Music 
| Foundational
April 8 – May 1, 2025
Tuesday/Thursday | 4 – 6pm

Ages 12 - 14

The April Variety Pack class will dive into short-story filming, writing music in GarageBand, animation, and foley sound fx for animation!
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