As the music industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the Music Managers Forum Aotearoa has launched a series of educational workshops aimed at equipping emerging artist managers with essential industry knowledge. The “Back to Basics” seminars, returning in 2024, provide free professional development opportunities for those in the early stages of artist management, including self-managed musicians steering their careers independently.
The workshop series kicks off in Kirikiriroa (Hamilton) on March 5 at Nivara Lounge, followed by a Northland seminar on March 12 at Distinction Whangārei Hotel. Additional sessions in Auckland and Christchurch guarantee regional accessibility across New Zealand, with each event running approximately 90 minutes in the early evening to accommodate working professionals.
Back to Basics workshops span Hamilton, Whangārei, Auckland, and Christchurch, with convenient 90-minute evening sessions designed for busy music professionals.
Leading the seminars are industry veterans Lorraine Barry, who brings over 19 years of experience managing Sir Dave Dobbyn among other notable artists, and Ninakaye Taane-Tinorau, manager of Tiki Taane. Participants are encouraged to prepare questions for the interactive sessions to maximize the valuable learning opportunity. These experts will share practical insights on critical topics including release planning, artist development strategies, and fundamental music business concepts such as contracts, rights, and revenue streams. RSVP is essential via email to secure attendance at these valuable knowledge-sharing sessions.
The initiative represents a collaborative effort between key organizations in New Zealand’s music ecosystem. Financial and strategic support from Recorded Music New Zealand, the New Zealand Music Commission, and NZ On Air guarantees the seminars remain free of charge, removing financial barriers for participants while maintaining high-quality, relevant content.
Attendees can expect to gain valuable knowledge about steering industry relationships, building professional networks, and developing practical management skills including budgeting, marketing, and tour planning. The seminars will also explore how to establish diverse income streams for artists through licensing, merchandise sales, and streaming royalties. Participants will learn the importance of metadata accuracy when releasing music to ensure proper royalty collection and discoverability across platforms. Each session includes dedicated Q&A time, allowing participants to address specific challenges they face in their management practice.
