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Mentorship for Women
& Non-binary Musicians
bespoken is a mentorship organization for women and non-binary classical, contemporary, and jazz musicians. Through professional monthly mentoring and group workshops, the program equips fellows with skill-building tools and support to develop successful ideas, goals, and projects to create rewarding careers in music.
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bespoken
WHAT WE DO
Encouraging and supporting women to “bespoken” about their career path, ideas, and creative projects while developing their individual voice.
In 2018, co-founders Gina Izzo and Eunbi Kim launched bespoken, a mentorship program for women and non-binary classical, contemporary, and jazz musicians. Through professional monthly mentoring and group workshops, the program equips individual fellows and ensembles with skill-building tools and support to develop successful ideas, goals, and projects to create rewarding careers in music.
bespoken has supported 80+ fellows in the areas of:
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website, biography, and resume oversight
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marketing, and branding
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creative project development such as releasing an album, performance/workshop opportunities
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fundraising
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commissioning projects
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job applications and interviews
while providing support for achieving desired goals, building connections, and finding resources. The program provides motivation for individual fellows and ensembles to become more active members of the community through connections and familiarity with an array of projects, organizations, and institutions.
HOW IT WORKS
We put artistic visions into action through our monthly mentoring and workshops — structured yet personalized — designed to provide skills training, career oversight, and strategies for building a career as a music professional. Our one-on-one mentoring includes bio, resume, and website oversight, as well as creative project and brand development. Each participant will learn how to develop their marketing, PR, and management strategies, while exploring new modes of creative expression. There is no fee to apply.
WHY WE DO IT
bespoken helps identify barriers for advancement and develops a plan for personal and professional growth by increasing representation of female-identifying artists in music through our project-driven and career-centric initiatives.
About
In 2018, co-founders Gina Izzo and Eunbi Kim launched bespoken, a mentorship program for women and non-binary classical, contemporary, and jazz musicians. Through professional one-on-one mentoring and group workshops, the program equips fellows with skill-building tools and support to develop successful ideas, goals, and projects to create rewarding music careers.
bespoken fellows receive monthly, one-on-one mentoring sessions for the duration of the program. In addition to these sessions, fellows receive support through group workshops with established and emerging women leaders in the arts. They learn skills, share ideas, and ask questions regarding the music industry. Workshops bring together a community of women in the arts who foster creativity and confidence in their day-to-day lives.
Since their foundation in 2018, bespoken has mentored 80+ fellows in the areas of creative project development, performance and educational opportunities, marketing and branding, job applications and interviews, in support of achieving desired goals, building connections, and finding resources. The program motivates fellows to become more active members of the community through relationships and familiarity with various projects, organizations, and institutions while encouraging them to advocate for themselves and their art.
bespoken has led workshops and residences at institutions including New York University and Boise State University to provide ideas, tools, and resources to help emerging artists thrive in the music industry. bespoken's wide-range of creative career-building skills have played a critical role in bespoken fellows' development and outcome. Presenters, organizations, publications, and institutions such as TEDx, the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Kaufman Music Center, Spirit Music Group, Rockwood Music Hall, Smalls Jazz Club, I Care If You Listen, among others, have recognized the incredible achievements of bespoken's fellowship.