The latest Songwriters Hall of Fame Master Sessions at Stuyvesant welcomed multi-Grammy-winning Producer, Songwriter, and Musician Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis for an unforgettable morning with NYC students.
Presented in partnership with Sony Music Publishing’s Senior Manager, Creative A&R, Simone Dixon (SHOF NY Education Committee Director) and hosted by Harold Stephan (SHOF Board member and NY Education Chair), the session brought together young creators from the All-City Modern Music Project and Sound Thinking NYC – artists, writers, producers, and future music-business leaders learning what it really takes to build a life in music.
The session began with Harold introducing Jerry Wonda and saying, “Many of these students will want to walk in your shoes.” To which, Jerry replied with a joke – “Don’t do it” – then quickly revealed the truth behind the laughs: music is a lifelong commitment that demands time, focus, and real sacrifice. The “fun” people see online is supported by late nights, constant problem-solving, and a team working behind the scenes. But his message wasn’t discouraging. It was empowering: if you’re willing to do the work, a real career is possible.
One of Jerry Wonda’s biggest lessons was about musicianship. He spoke about learning bass guitar in church and how playing an instrument makes you a stronger songwriter and producer. He shared a defining moment when the bass player didn’t show up one Sunday. Nervous and unsure, he stepped up anyway – and discovered that growth often arrives disguised as an uncomfortable opportunity. His advice to students was direct: don’t wait until you feel ready - step into the moment and let your light shine.
Jerry also emphasized the value of learning the technical side of the craft. He described studying recording and engineering, learning classic production tools, and taking internships where you might be cleaning rooms or running for coffee – because the real prize is being in the room, watching professionals work. That path led to a homemade basement studio and the breakthrough that changed everything. “My cousin Wyclef Jean, my brother and I, we went and built a studio, and my first project that came from that basement was ‘Killing Me Softly’ [by Fugees]”.
At the same time, Jerry challenged today’s fast workflow culture. Yes, modern software makes it easy to “drag and drop” loops into a track – but a track isn’t automatically a song. He urged students to build with integrity: understand structure, develop arrangements, write bridges, and make choices that support emotion and storytelling. Tools are powerful, but artistry is what turns sound into something lasting.
Throughout the session, Jerry returned to one theme: collaboration is a career skill. Producers level up faster when they team up with strong writers and performers – and when they keep at least one trusted person around who will tell the truth: that’s dope or take that out. Music is connection, and no one builds something great alone.
A standout moment came when Jerry broadened what “making it” can mean. Not everyone becomes the superstar artist—and that’s okay. The music industry needs attorneys, A&R, managers, engineers, producers, musicians, and creative leaders. There is no superstar without a support team. Students then shared original music, and Jerry offered the kind of feedback young artists rarely get: specific, encouraging, and rooted in real-world experience. From guitar-driven songwriting to rough mixes and live performance, he highlighted what mattered most—craft, commitment, and honesty.The session closed with a student performance of “Killing Me Softly” as a heartfelt tribute for Jerry Wonda.
