Antiracism & True Allyship

Join us for an anti-racism workshop and roundtable conversation about true allyship in music as we learn about the formation of racist ideologies, how they affect our lives and our industry, and identify ways in which we can create change as individuals, and as a community.

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Raygine DiAquoi, Assistant Dean of Diversity, Culture, & Inclusion at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health

Nicole Barsalona, President, Women in Music / Artist Manager

More speakers to be announced!


Date: Wednesday, January 27, 2021, 7:00 – 8:00 PM

“Women Leading the Music Industry” Virtual Panel Discussion

New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) is pleased to present a series of events showcasing new recordings, music videos, and panel discussions with industry professionals to celebrate women-identifying artists and recipients of the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre.

Panelists will discuss their career trajectories in the music industry and the roadblocks that they have overcome along the way. The panel will showcase the expertise of Nikisha Bailey, Vice President of A&R Admin + Operations for Artist Partner Group; Christal Jerez, audio engineer; and Marietta Ulacia, Executive Director of the Afro Latin Jazz Alliance of New York. 

Date: Monday, March 8, 2021

Creative Strategies for Making Electronic Music

This discussion will review modern approaches to electronic music creation with panelist Ebonie Smith, Margaret Schedel, Cristian Amigo, and moderator Izzi Ramkissoon.  The panelist will discuss the latest music technology trends and how innovation in the field of technology has influenced their creative process.  Each artist will review different strategies for working on electronic music compositions, musical theater, and the interactive musical performances.


Date: Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Music And Film: Who Gets To Score For Film And Why Are So Many Talented Voices Omitted From The Soundtracks Of Our Times?

In 2019, 94% of scores for the top 250 box office films were written by men. There are no official stats about race and ethnicity. Get advice and perspectives from composers and filmmakers about what we can do to reduce barriers and increase opportunities for the many composers yet to be included in one of the world’s most popular art forms. 

Confirmed panelists:  Composer & artist Tamar-Kali and composer, artist and educator Nico Muhly.


Date: Thursday, March 25, 2021,  5:00 – 6:00 PM

The Power of Non-Commercial Radio and Community: From The Inside Out

This panel will provide an introduction to the inner workings and the importance of non-commercial radio with a focus on what NYC’s independent music community, and specifically non-commercial radio stations are doing to fight for racial and social justice on air and beyond.  The conversation is inspired by a newly formed nonprofit group called FairPlay made up of radio stations, DJs, record labels, music industry professionals and activists all over the US that have been meeting weekly to discuss strategies for combating racism and amplifying BIPOC voices and stories. We’ll be joined by local flagship non-commercial radio stations to talk about the ways they’ve evolved to serve their communities, as well as by key organizations working to encourage diversity through structural change. We’ll discuss everyone’s current initiatives and share ideas on how to encourage diversity from within in order to truly serve your audience.


Date: Thursday, April 8, 2021, 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Interlude+

INTERLUDE+ is a hands-on music & art three-part workshop series for and by the LGBTQ+ community, bringing together respected musicians, artists and industry leaders to inspire a new generation of creatives in nontraditional virtual environments. 

  1. Disco Discourse: An in-depth conversation with the iconic Studio 54 tracing their influence on queer nightlife, and their transformation into a music label.
  2. New Identities of the New Era: Two rising queer artists come together to discuss the evolution of identity & artistry in a new era of music and culture.
  3. Sound Of Design: Crossover musicians / designers discuss how music & design converge in the transmedia age.

Date: Sunday, April 11, 2021. 3:00 – 6:00 PM

Amplifying Voices: Who’s Composing Orchestral Music Today And How Can We Make It More Inclusive?

Hear from composers and representatives of the orchestral world about how we can support and promote symphonic music which better reflects the diverse communities of NYC. What are the barriers for composers and what can the leaders of major institutions do to transform the current and future landscape?

Confirmed speakers: Composer Jessie Montgomery with more to be announced soon.


Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021, 5:00 – 6:00 PM

Avoiding Metadata Disasters: How Independent Creators and Companies Can Win the Data Game

Even seasoned independent labels and artists can find the world of metadata registration and management tricky at the best of times, and nightmarish at the worst. One mistake can cost an artist thousands of dollars in lost sync license revenue opportunities, or bury their music at the bottom of an algorithmic pile. In addition to this, data standards and registration bodies move quickly — leaving creators feeling left behind and frustrated. Verifi Media has run a series of research projects into deconstructing the myth and mystery of metadata in order to help creators, labels and publishers win the data game and mitigate against disaster. Join Chloe Johnson of Verifi Media and Anya Marina, independent artist and label owner, for a presentation and discussion on metadata best practices using real-life examples and practical steps. The webinar will conclude with a Q&A. 

 Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Music By the Book

Bronx Music Heritage Center Artistic Directors Bobby Sanabria and Elena Martinez interview authors of recent books with topics covering all things musical. The authors will take questions from viewers during the program.

Puerto Rican composer Prof. Rafael Aponte Ledee, considered one of the most important contemporary classical composers of our times, will discuss his book, El Ombligo de la Plena.  This interview will be conducted in Spanish.

Date: Wednesday, April 28, 2021, 8:00 PM

Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: New York and the Birth of Hip-Hop

This panel will talk about hip-hop’s roots and why it continues to be one of New York City’s great contributions to global culture. It will feature stories from the pioneering hip-hop family of DJ Kool Herc and Cindy Campbell, whose August 1973 party is commonly cited as the beginning of the hip-hop movement. And from Davey D and Rob Kenner, who almost half a century later work through hip-hop to advance social change 

Panelists:

  • Davey D, hip-hop journalist, activist and historian, co-author of “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of Hip-Hop, Young Adult Edition”
  • DJ Kool Herc, “the Father of Hip-Hop”
  • Cindy Campbell, the “Mother of Hip-Hop”
  • Rob Kenner – hip-hop/dancehall journalist and filmmaker, author of “The Marathon Don’t Stop”
  • Moderated by Jeff Chang, co-author of “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop: A History of Hip-Hop, Young Adult Edition”

Date: Thursday, April 29, 2021, 5:00 – 6:00 PM