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Mentorship for Women
& Non-binary Musicians
Bespoken is a mentorship organization empowering women and non-binary musicians in classical, contemporary, and jazz fields. Through monthly one-on-one mentoring and dynamic group workshops, the program provides fellows with practical tools, expert guidance, and a supportive community to develop bold ideas, achieve meaningful goals, and build thriving, sustainable careers in music.
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bespoken
Read our FAQ's to Learn More
​WHAT WE DO
In 2018, co-founders Gina Izzo and Eunbi Kim launched bespoken, a transformative mentorship program for women and non-binary musicians working in classical, contemporary, and jazz music. Through monthly one-on-one mentoring and dynamic group workshops, bespoken equips individual fellows and ensembles with practical tools, expert guidance, and a supportive community to develop bold ideas, set meaningful goals, and bring ambitious projects to life — all while building fulfilling, sustainable careers in music.
Since its founding, bespoken has supported over 100+ fellows in areas such as:
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Creative project development
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Website, biography, and resume development
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Marketing and branding
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Fundraising strategies
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Commissioning new works
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Job applications and interview preparation
Our program not only provides hands-on skills and strategic support but also fosters motivation, connection, and community. Fellows gain access to a growing network of peers and industry professionals and become more engaged and visible contributors within the broader music landscape.
HOW IT WORKS
We turn artistic visions into reality through structured yet highly personalized monthly mentoring sessions and group workshops. Fellows receive individualized support with bios, resumes, and websites, as well as tailored guidance for creative projects, branding, and career development. Participants strengthen their marketing, PR, fundraising, and management skills while exploring new pathways for creative expression.
WHY WE DO IT
bespoken exists to break down barriers that limit women and non-binary musicians, advancing representation through project-driven, career-focused mentorship. Our goal is to nurture each fellow’s growth as an artist and professional, expanding opportunities and visibility in an industry where these voices are historically underrepresented.
HOW TO JOIN
Applications are NOW OPEN for our 2025-26 Fellowship, which runs from October 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026. All applicants will be notified of their status by September 1, 2025.
About
In 2018, co-founders Gina Izzo and Eunbi Kim launched bespoken, a mentorship program designed to empower women and non-binary musicians in classical, contemporary, and jazz music. Through professional one-on-one mentoring and collaborative group workshops, bespoken equips fellows with practical tools, expert guidance, and a supportive community to turn ambitious ideas into successful projects and build rewarding careers in music.
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Fellows receive dedicated monthly one-on-one mentoring throughout the program, gaining personalized support and accountability for their goals. In addition, group workshops with established and emerging women leaders in the arts create opportunities to learn essential industry skills, exchange ideas, and ask questions in a collaborative environment. These workshops foster a strong community of artists who inspire one another to lead with creativity and confidence every day.
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Since its founding, bespoken has mentored more than 100+ fellows in areas such as creative project development, performance and educational opportunities, marketing and branding, and job applications and interviews. Fellows gain practical strategies for reaching their goals, building connections, and securing resources — all while becoming stronger advocates for themselves and their art. The program motivates participants to take an active role in their communities and to build meaningful relationships with a wide network of projects, organizations, and institutions.
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bespoken has also led workshops and residencies at institutions including New York University and Boise State University, providing emerging artists with ideas, tools, and resources to thrive in the music industry. The program’s wide-ranging career-building support has played a critical role in the success of its fellows, whose achievements have been recognized by presenters, organizations, 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, and many more.