About

Announcing Boulanger Initiative’s Elizabeth Henriksen Mentorship Program.

Lack of access to a gender-marginalized composition mentor is one of the biggest barriers keeping young women composers from being successful in their field. We founded this program to enable composers of marginalized genders to be mentored by established figures in the field of composition on the career skills and professional development elements that are often overlooked and left out of many composition degree programs, so they may be better equipped for building a successful career in composition.

Over the course of the mentorship program, mentees will meet virtually with their mentor for a total of 10 sessions. Sessions with the mentor will focus on skills pertaining to career and professional development, as opposed to composition lessons. Each mentee will participate in three virtual composition masterclasses, one with each mentor, and three virtual professional development workshops.

Mentees accepted into the program will be paired with a composer-mentor of their choice for a 6-month period with whom they will meet regularly and build professional development skills to help them succeed in the industry. One applicant will be selected for each mentor to receive personal mentorship and advice via virtual, one-on-one sessions.

Participating mentors this cycle are Alexandra Gardner, Nina C. Young, and inti figgis-vizueta. Applicants may only apply for one mentor of their choosing based on their individual needs.

The mentees will also have the opportunity to participate in workshops to learn how to get ahead in the industry. There is no application fee, and the cost of tuition, valued at $2,500 per mentee, is covered by Boulanger Initiative for each mentee selected.

This opportunity is open to women and composers of marginalized genders at any stage in their career, ages 22 and older, from anywhere in the world. Boulanger Initiative exists to create social change and more inclusion in the arts industry, and any artist who is underrepresented is especially encouraged to apply.

Boulanger Initiative is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and especially equal access to the arts. If there is anything that we can do to support you in this process and application, please feel free to reach out.

For any questions, please email Megan DiGeorgio, megan@boulangerinitiative.org

FAQ and Questions

Application specifics and Application

Applications close on May 10th, 2021 at 11:59 PM ET.