SHOF Board Member and NY Educational Committee Chair Harold Stephan with multi-platinum songwriter and producer Aaron Accetta
On May 10, 2025, multi-platinum producer and songwriter Aaron Accetta joined songwriter, producer and SHOF NY Education Chair Harold Stephan, for an unforgettable Master Session hosted at Stuyvesant High School with All-City Modern Music Project students from all five boroughs. Best known for co-writing “Best Day of My Life” by American Authors, Aaron offered students a rare, honest look into how hits are made—and how music careers are built.
Aaron’s path to success wasn’t a straight line. After chasing a record deal in his early band days, he pivoted to songwriting and producing when the deal fell through after 9/11. That pivot led him to co-found Dirty Canvas Music, where he focuses on developing artists from the ground up.
His breakout moment came when “Best Day of My Life” was licensed for a Lowe’s commercial —before the band even had a label deal. That one sync turned into a domino effect: the song went on to appear in trailers, TV shows, and commercials for Coca-Cola, Ford, ESPN, and more. “Back then, sync was taboo,” Aaron said. “Now, it can launch your career.”
Throughout the session, Harold guided the conversation to emphasize what young artists need most: patience, persistence, and a clear identity. “Record labels today are data-driven,” Aaron explained. “You have to build traction before they’ll invest. That means using platforms like TikTok not just to post, but to connect and test new ideas.”
Aaron also spoke about the importance of collaboration. From the unexpected banjo riff that helped define Best Day to the layered “ooh-ooh” vocal hooks, the song came together through teamwork and creative risk-taking.
When students performed their own songs, Aaron gave practical, encouraging feedback—urging them to trust their instincts, lead with their strongest lines, and pay attention to dynamics. “Strip it back,” he advised one student. “If your lyric is powerful, let it shine.”
The session wrapped with a thoughtful discussion about AI in music. Harold shared a project he co-wrote with AI, sparking dialogue on authenticity, ownership, and how artists can use emerging tools without losing their voice. Aaron agreed that AI can be helpful—especially for demos—but stressed that listeners still crave what only humans can offer: honest, personal stories.
Students in attendance included 2025 Songwriters of Tomorrow Scholarship recipients Luke Naphat and Mint Herrmann.
Key Lesson: Success isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection. And it starts with doing the work.
The SHOF Master Sessions at Stuyvesant program has hosted events for NYC public school students highlighting both the business and creative sides of the music industry since 2018, with past sessions featuring Mia Jay C, Simone Dixon, Maria Christensen, Alexx Antaeus, Will Weinbach, Amit Harris, Evan Keiser, Wes Richardson, Michelle Locke, Patrick Wimberly, Tom Lee, Dylan Prince, John Hampson, Paul Umbach, Alex Da Kid, Michael Uzowuru, Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins, Nija Charles, TBHits, Sam Ashworth, Denzel Baptiste & David Biral p/k/a Take A Daytrip, Khari “Needlz” Cain, Steven Van Zandt, Steve Greenberg, Mark Hudson, Samantha Cox, Leyla Blue, Maude Latour, Laundry Day, Pom Pom, Mike Campbell, Billy Mann, Gregg Wattenberg and Rich Christina.