Free training and paid mentoring work for music industry professionals

 

Thank you for your interest in the Dv8 Sussex Music Industry Mentoring programme.

This is a small project funded by Youth Music (www.youthmusic.org.uk) through which Dv8 Sussex is offering 10 music industry professionals the opportunity to undertake full mentoring training – for free – followed by a 6-month period of mentoring a talented 14-19 year old. Professionals from all corners of the music industry are invited to apply for the free training; from producers to performers, label bosses to publicists – applications are welcome from anyone with a background in this sector who would like to inspire and motivate a young musician/music entrepreneur.

The mentoring programme already has one successful year under its belt with the first 5 mentors recruited, and has seen the likes of renowned music journalist Garry Mulholland, Sam Dook from The Go! Team, radio presenter and music publicist Kairen Kemp, singer-songwriter Tracy Jane Sullivan and BBC6 Music favourite electro-musician Christopher Rye providing 1:1 professional support.

In just a few weeks, young mentees have been given access to recording studios and vocal coaches, been invited to have music journalism published, have had meetings with BBC’s Tom Robinson and arranger Al Mobbs, have had support with lyric writing and building online profiles and more.

The music industry mentoring programme creates confidence and career opportunities for young people from Sussex, and the Dv8  programme offers exceptional results at a fast pace. Training courses begin in April and May and will run for 3 hours every Tuesday evening, for just 5 weeks. Training is completely free and focuses on mentoring skills, communication, emotional intelligence and safeguarding. On completing the training, mentors will be paid to mentor a young aspiring music maker for 6 months (5 hours per month).

We are aiming to train a group of 8 music industry professionals in the next round, but only 5 will then be taken forward for a mentoring contract. Mentors will be offered £100 per month for approximately 5 hours mentoring per month – this can be a mixture of face-to-face/email/phone contact.

Musician Tracy Jane Sullivan described the first training round as being “a brilliant few weeks – such inspiring sessions from Dv8 trainers,” and on her fellow trainees, “a great bunch of people to train with, I have no doubt that each and every one of them will make really successful mentors”

Training will take place in central Brighton and will cover: mentoring skills, communication, emotional intelligence, safeguarding/child protection. The training dates are 16th, 23rd, 30th April and 7th and 14th May. 5.30-8.30pm.

All mentors will be subject to an enhanced DBS disclosure. We welcome applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds, life experiences, genders, ethnicities and abilities.

If you are interested in being a mentor

Please send a CV and covering letter to apply@dv8training.com that addresses the following questions:

• What is it that has drawn you to be a mentor?

• Tell us 5 interesting things about your music industry background, including any career highlights?

• Do you have any previous relevant experience of teaching/mentoring young people in music or another field?

• One purpose of the mentorship programme is to introduce the young people to key contacts within, and to be given access to, the wider music industry. What opportunities could you provide to this end?

• What are your initial hopes and fears for your involvement in a project like this?

The deadline for applications is Tuesday 9th April at 5pm.