Mentorship Program

You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program

Free professional mentorship, music education and career development for emerging 2SLGBTQIA+, Q-BIPOC and Indigenous music artists across Canada.

26 weeks

Comprehensive artist development framework

6 artists

Per intake, with 8 planned for 2027

1-on-1

Mentorship from music-industry professionals

Free of charge for selected participants

Who is the program for?

The You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program supports emerging and underrepresented 2SLGBTQIA+ music artists across Canada, with a particular focus on Queer, Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (Q-BIPOC), including First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists.

Our program is designed for aspiring singers, songwriters, music producers, DJs, and recording artists who demonstrate creative potential and a commitment to developing a career in music but may lack the financial resources, professional connections, mentorship, or industry knowledge needed to succeed.

We welcome artists from diverse musical backgrounds and at different stages of their development, particularly those who have historically faced barriers to participation and advancement within Canada’s music industry.

What barriers does the program address?

Despite Canada’s vibrant and diverse music community, many talented emerging artists continue to face significant barriers to entering and sustaining careers in the music industry.

Our Mentorship Program works to address these challenges, including:

Financial barriers

Limited access to professional music production, recording facilities, marketing resources, and career development opportunities.

Discrimination and systemic inequities

Challenges experienced by 2SLGBTQIA+, Q-BIPOC, and Indigenous artists, including racism, homophobia, transphobia, and underrepresentation within the industry.

Limited professional networks

Difficulty connecting with established producers, music executives, industry professionals, promoters, and potential collaborators.

Gaps in industry knowledge

Limited access to practical education in music publishing, royalties, distribution, branding, marketing, and business development.

Lack of mentorship and representation

Few opportunities to receive personalized guidance from experienced professionals who understand participants’ identities, lived experiences, and career aspirations.

Limited employment and performance opportunities

Difficulty securing paid performances, professional collaborations, industry contracts, and other income-generating opportunities.

By removing these barriers, we aim to create a more equitable and accessible pathway into Canada’s music industry.

How long does the program last?

The You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program is structured around a comprehensive 26-week artist development framework, providing participants with opportunities for professional learning, mentorship, creative development, and career advancement.

The program combines structured educational workshops, individualized mentorship, practical music industry experience, and opportunities to showcase participants’ work.

Coming in 2027

YDY is also planning an expanded six-month intensive mentorship cohort, running from May 1 to October 31, 2027.

How many artists participate?

The program currently operates with a small cohort model, supporting 6 emerging music artists per intake.

For 2027, You Do You Foundation aims to expand its capacity to support 8 emerging artists, increasing the number of participants who can access professional mentorship, training, and career development opportunities.

Maintaining a small cohort ensures that every artist receives meaningful individualized attention, personalized career guidance, and opportunities to build lasting relationships with mentors and industry professionals.

What does each participant receive?

Each selected artist receives access to a comprehensive professional development experience designed to strengthen their artistic abilities, build industry knowledge, and prepare them for sustainable employment and entrepreneurship in music.

Participants receive:

One-on-one mentorship

Personalized guidance from experienced music industry professionals, including recording artists, producers, songwriters, DJs, and business leaders.

Professional development workshops

Up to six structured workshops covering songwriting, music production, artist branding, digital marketing, music business development, and mental health and wellness.

Creative development support

Guidance in songwriting, recording, production, artistic direction, and developing original music.

Music release and distribution guidance

Support in understanding professional music releases, digital distribution, promotional campaigns, and strategies for reaching audiences.

Branding and marketing training

Practical skills in developing an artist identity, building a social media presence, creating promotional content, and connecting with fans.

Industry networking

Opportunities to meet established artists, producers, record label representatives, promoters, and other music industry professionals.

Performance and showcase opportunities

Opportunities to gain valuable live performance experience through YDY events and artist showcases, including potential participation in the Fierce & Fabulous Festival.

Career and employment development

Guidance in identifying paid opportunities within the music industry, including performing, songwriting, production, DJing, event production, marketing, and other creative professions.

The program recognizes that success in music takes many forms. Participants are encouraged to explore career pathways that align with their individual strengths, interests, and long-term goals.

Is participation free?

Yes.

The You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program is offered free of charge to selected participants.

As a non-profit organization, YDY is committed to ensuring that financial circumstances do not prevent talented emerging artists from accessing professional mentorship and career development opportunities.

Through the support of funding partners, sponsors, industry professionals, and community collaborators, we work to eliminate the costs associated with accessing professional training, mentorship, and industry connections.

Our goal is to ensure that artistic potential, dedication, and ambition—not financial privilege—determine an artist’s opportunity to succeed.

How are participants selected?

Participants are selected through an application and assessment process designed to identify emerging artists who would benefit most from professional mentorship and career development support.

Applications are evaluated based on:

Artistic potential

Demonstrated creativity, musical ability, and interest in developing original work.

Commitment to growth

Motivation to learn, participate in workshops, work with mentors, and actively pursue professional development.

Barriers to opportunity

Consideration of financial, social, and systemic barriers that may limit access to traditional music industry opportunities.

Career aspirations

Clear personal or professional goals and an interest in building a future within the music industry.

Alignment with our mission

Priority consideration for emerging 2SLGBTQIA+, Q-BIPOC, and Indigenous artists whose communities have historically been underrepresented within the music industry.

Our selection approach aims to be inclusive, accessible, and equitable, recognizing that artistic talent and potential are not always reflected through previous professional experience or access to resources.

What outcomes are expected?

The You Do You Foundation Mentorship Program is designed to produce meaningful, measurable outcomes that extend beyond the completion of the program.

Our goal is to equip emerging artists with the practical skills, professional relationships, confidence, and industry experience needed to build sustainable careers in music and related creative industries.

Expected outcomes include:

Improved professional skills

Participants develop stronger abilities in songwriting, music production, branding, marketing, business development, and career planning.

Increased industry readiness

Artists gain a clearer understanding of how the music industry operates and how to navigate professional opportunities.

Expanded professional networks

Participants establish relationships with mentors, collaborators, industry professionals, and potential employers.

Creative achievements

Artists progress toward completing original music, developing release strategies, and building professional portfolios.

Greater visibility and representation

Participants gain opportunities to showcase their work, reach new audiences, and increase their presence within Canada’s music community.

Employment and income opportunities

Artists become better prepared to pursue paid performances, music production work, songwriting commissions, creative contracts, freelance opportunities, and music-related employment.

Increased confidence and independence

Participants develop the knowledge and confidence to make informed decisions about their creative and professional futures.

Long-term community impact

Graduates are encouraged to remain connected to YDY, collaborate with other artists, and potentially return as mentors to support future participants.

Our definition of success goes beyond streams, social media followers, or commercial recognition.

We believe that a successful outcome is an artist who leaves the program better equipped to pursue meaningful opportunities within the music industry, whether as a recording artist, performer, producer, songwriter, entrepreneur, or creative professional.

Ultimately, our mission is to help emerging artists transform their passion and potential into lasting opportunities for professional growth, economic independence, and sustainable careers.

See what our graduates have achieved

From international radio airplay to main-stage festival sets, television appearances and new creative businesses.