Carnegie Hall introduces youth to career pathways in music industry

Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI) says young people across New York City are taking part in weekly workshops at Carnegie Hall now through June as part of The B-Side, a program of the Hall’s WMI that introduces career pathways in the music industry.

Created for both aspiring artists and future music industry leaders alike, WMI said the workshops help young people learn about the music business and connect them with music executives, accomplished writers, producers, engineers, performing artists, and more for an in-depth look into the industry.

“The B-Side aims to recruit participants from a variety of New York City neighborhoods and backgrounds, including communities that have been underrepresented in executive leadership of the music industry,” WMI said.

After highly successful pilot intensives in 2023, it said programming returns for two cohorts of young people ages 14–17 and 18–22.

WMI said participants engage in weekly workshops at Carnegie Hall in addition to attending field trips — to Verve Records and the Louis Armstrong House Museum — Carnegie Hall concerts, panel discussions, and more.

Workshop topics include identity and power in the workplace; marketing; radio and promotions; traditional vs. nontraditional pathways; contracts and royalties; and more, WMI said.

It said several industry leaders and artists join as guest speakers including Kim Osorio, former editor-in-chief of The Source magazine; Rob Lewis, acclaimed music arranger, composer, and producer; and more.

WMI said teaching artists Alexis Atkinson and Maxwell Addo lead ongoing workshops for participants.

A culminating celebration for both cohorts is planned for Saturday, June 15 in Carnegie Hall’s Resnick Education Wing.

For more than a decade, WMI said it has worked with young people in programs that help build essential skills and develop personal artistry.

WMI said the curriculum for The B-Side was designed in collaboration with industry professional Leota Blacknor, consultant Dr. Donald Garner, program evaluator Dr. Chandra Llewellyn, and others.

A small group of participants who took part in The B-Side last season have been selected for an alumni council, meeting bimonthly for continued learning, attending concerts together, and acting as ambassadors for the program, WMI said.

“I was really surprised that not only did we get to learn about so many paths we can take to be involved in the music industry, but we got the chance to explore that and explore with confidence,” said Bree, a past B-Side participant. “Because we’re continuing to empower ourselves but we’re also empowered by the people around us — our facilitators, guest speakers. So a really big thank you to B-Side for doing that.”

WMI said more than 800,000 people each year engage in its programs through national and international partnerships, in New York City schools and community settings, and at Carnegie Hall.

This includes more than 155 orchestras, music presenters, and education organizations in 40 states, as well as internationally in 27 countries on six continents.