Local gospel musicians and music students from across the country will have a chance to virtually meet the best in the business while learning how to break into the industry.

The Hezekiah Walker Center for Gospel Music at Virginia Union University is hosting its first virtual master class 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4.

Cost: $199.

The Gospel Music Industry Essentials Master Class is an introduction to launching a career in the gospel music industry. Participants will cover key components in pursuing a music career, artist development, songwriting, producing, and publishing.

Bishop Hezekiah Walker, a multi-Grammy Award-winning gospel artist and founder of the center, will instruct the master class. Joining him will be award-winning songwriter and recording artist Ted Winn; Grammy Award-winning producer and artist Donald Lawrence; and entertainment law attorney Ricky Anderson, managing partner of Anderson and Smith P.C. law firm in Houston and an adjunct professor at the Thurgood Marshall School of Law.

“I am excited about Virginia Union being the hub,” Bishop Walker said in a statement. “We want people from all over the world to come here to learn about gospel music, to enjoy gospel music and to collaborate, to learn about songwriting, to learn about the industry and how to become an artist.”

The Center for Gospel Music will offer academic programs through VUU’s Fine Arts department and originate theater productions and record live gospel albums with students, alumni, and the community for public release. The center also will work to preserve gospel music culture by studying sacred arts and how it is blended into African heritage.

Details and registration for the master class: hezwalkeratvuu.com.