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Becky Ayres - Sound City, Liverpool

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Becky is Managing Director of Sound City, a Liverpool-based new-music festival and conference. Sound City also offers the Music Entrepreneurs Training Course in Liverpool and Manchester.

Why did you decide to run the Music Entrepreneurs training?

Dave, our CEO, had taught in HE for a long time, and felt that a lot of the music education being offered was either elitist or didn't equip students for the real world. We wanted to create a course for anyone who has a burning desire to work in the industry but who doesn't feel that formal education routes are for them, and for those who slip through the cracks of the education system.

Why do you think your approach has been successful?

We provide a toolbox approach: a 10-week course which is led by music course tutors who have a background in the music business, plus industry guests who are part of the teaching each week to provide their insight.  Each young person is offered an industry mentor at the end of the course to help them start their journey

Over 400 young people have taken part in the training to date: many have gone on to work in roles at companies including Warner Chappell, Spotify, Nintendo, Paradigm Agency,  PRSF, BBC Introducing, and Universal.

What would you recommend to other organisations working in this space who are trying to support young people into the industry?

Involve industry professionals - many of them are really happy to give their time and expertise to help young people.

And what would you recommend to music industry organisations?

There is a lack of information available in schools and the HE education system about how massive the UK music industry is, and the diversity of job roles within it. Schools and HE institutions would benefit hugely from industry professionals coming to talk to staff and students.