Paul Baloche

ANAHEIM, Calif.—The Yamaha Worship Resources Department will be a major player at the first-ever series of free training sessions for worship leaders, worship musicians and worship technicians to be held at the NAMM musical instrument industry trade show in Anaheim, Calif. on Thursday, January 14 through Saturday, January 16. NAMM badges are not required for attendance to this event.

The main venue for the workshop training sessions will the HOT Zone, an acronym for Hands on Training, located on the second floor of the Anaheim Convention Center. In the HOT Zone, worship leaders of all skill levels will receive instruction on top-quality equipment by world-class professionals to help them better understand sound reinforcement products, musical instruments and recording techniques, including the IM8 mixing consoles, synthesizers, digital pianos and electronic drums.

Yamaha will offer a full day of free training on Thursday, January 14 in Room 204B, featuring classes in live audio in worship, electronic drums and percussion, recording a worship service, electronic keyboards and team building and will be led by experts John Mills, Tony Guerrero, Tom Brooks, Scott Krippayne and Mike Overlin.

NAMM will also sponsor a free concert (tickets required, available at the HOT Zone) on January 14 featuring top worship artists Paul Baloche and Lincoln Brewster, along with special guests.

"I am very impressed with NAMMs commitment to the worship market," said Mike Overlin, Manager of Worship Services at the Yamaha Corporation of America. "Many worship leaders and their support staff are volunteers who lack formal training on equipment that can be intimidating to operate. The goal is to present fun, but informative sessions."

On Friday, January 15, there will be a Worship Meet and Greet from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. with Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche, Tommy Walker, Scott Krippayne, Tony Guerrero and more in Room 204B of the Anaheim Convention Center, where attendees can hang with their favorite artists. Tony Gurerrero's band will perform.

In addition to Yamahas Worship Resources Department, Yamaha Commercial Audio will also be on hand to provide equipment and guidance. Other partners include Shure, Elation Lighting, Media Shout and the Worship Arts Technology Summit, which offers a series of comprehensive hands-on training events held across the country and throughout the year. For more information about WATS, please visit www.worshipartstechnologysummit.com.

In addition, training will be provided by the top magazines in the industry, including Worship Musician, Worship Leader, Technologies for Worship and Church Production.

For more information, write Yamaha Corporation of America, P.O. Box 6600, Buena Park, CA 90622; telephone (714) 522-9011; e-mail infostation@yamaha.com; or visit www.yamaha.com.