Category Archives: workshops

Apply to These 2026 Festivals & Conferences

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After last week’s epic trip to New Orleans for NOLA MusiCon — and a year that saw UMC everywhere, from Austin to London — we’re already dreaming of more travels in 2026.

Fortunately, new adventures are always on the horizon, for both artist and educator alike. In fact, some of our favorite haunts from the past couple years have open submission processes ongoing right now. So, if you’ve been bitten by the travel bug — and want to scratch the itch by doing your thing in new markets — we’ve compiled information on a few of our favorites right here.

SXSW London

Dates: June 1-6, 2026
Location: London, UK
Deadlines: November 24 (Performer), December 7 (Speaker)
Notes: The European edition of SXSW — now in its second year — has an open application process for those looking to make their mark overseas in 2026. Both emerging and established artists, as well as organizers of forward-thinking lineups, are encouraged to submit for performance consideration. That deadline is coming up quick, but you still have time. If you’re a speaker, you have a couple extra weeks to get your proposal together!
Link to apply: SXSW London 2026 | Public Submissions Now Open

Musikfest

Dates: July 31-Aug. 9 (Festival); Aug. 2-4 (Conference)
Location: Bethlehem, PA
Deadlines: November 15, 2025 (Conference), February 28, 2026 (Festival)
Notes: Musikfest itself is entering its 43rd year in 2026, and is the nation’s largest free, non-gated music festival, bringing nearly 1.5 million people to downtown Bethlehem in 2025. The Musikfest Industry Conference — now in its second year — aims to put world-class ideas and music industry knowledge (like yours) in front of the artists who comprise this growing, talent-rich regional arts hub (and UMC’s original hometown).
Links to apply: Festival | Conference

Gussapolooza

Dates: Aug. 21-23
Location: Cookstown, ON, Canada
Deadline: January 31, 2026
Notes: Our favorite weekend getaway is on for next August! This all-independent, three-day festival — nestled just an hour or so north of Toronto — brings some of the most notable rising acts from across North America together in the name of music, art, and community. Gussapolooza also invites vendors and artisans across the creative landscape to get involved. In that spirit, we’ll include the vendor application below, as well.
Links to apply: Festival | Vendor

Which events should we know about? Did we miss any? Let us know, and we’ll add them to the list!

Everything You Need to Know About Tonight’s UMC Events in Nashville

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October and the home stretch of 2025 are set to begin with a bang tonight, right here in Nashville.

We’ll be back at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville) this evening for a double dose of fun with the UnderDogs, beginning at 6 p.m. with a live taping of our Have You Met…? interview series. Join host Jazzy the Uncontrolled Goddess as she welcomes outstanding UnderDogs and special guests to share about their projects, processes, and the ways life informs the creative journey. Tonight’s lineup includes:

  • Hip hop artist, producer, and 1/2 of Da’ Healerz Foundation Mecca
  • DJ, sound engineer, producer, and songwriter Agie Gee
  • Revolutionary hip hop artist and industry educator T.R.A.N.E. Spitta

Speaking of industry education, you’ll want to stick around after Have You Met…? concludes, as we offer a special, FREE presentation of our Building Your Authentic Artist Brand workshop. This workshop — as experienced at SXSW 2025, and soon to be experienced at Confluence Carolinas and NOLA MusiCon later this month — guides musicians (and other creatives) through the steps of developing a purpose-driven, values-based creative ecosystem. Building Your Authentic Artist Brand is designed to help artists identify the unique “why” behind their work; learn best practices for attracting their true audience across three key segments (fans, collaborators, and business partners); and build a sustainable, profitable creative business on their own terms.

Want the inside track on all of these opportunities and more? Consider checking out the buttons below!

BECOME AN UNDERDOG!
ENROLL IN UMC ACADEMY

NASHVILLE: ‘Building Your Authentic Artist Brand’ Returns October 1!

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We’re gearing up for an action-packed October, with events happening all over the Southeastern U.S. — including our debut at Confluence Carolinas, and an exciting, expanded collaboration with NOLA MusiCon.

(More details on NOLA are coming soon, we promise — and they’ll definitely be worth the wait!)

Of course, it all starts from a solid foundation at home. That’s why we’re kicking off the month by bringing our popular Building Your Authentic Artist Brand workshop back to Nashville!

Join us at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville) on Wednesday, October 1 from 7-9 p.m. This interactive workshop — as experienced during SXSW 2025 — guides musicians (and other creatives) through the steps of developing a purpose-driven, values-based creative ecosystem. Building Your Authentic Artist Brand is designed to help artists identify the unique “why” behind their work; learn best practices for attracting their true audience across three key segments (fans, collaborators, and business partners); and build a sustainable, profitable creative business on their own terms.

Building Your Authentic Artist Brand is free to attend, and it’s all part of the work we do to educate and connect artistpreneurs through the UMC Academy. You can learn more about what we offer here!

Let’s Take a Trip Back to Austin!

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In March, I had the special opportunity to present a workshop — Building Authentic Connections as an Independent Artist — during SXSW in Austin, TX.

A recap is below, and the opportunity to send us *back* to Austin to present an all-new workshop in 2026 is right here!

Video shot by NewLeeMade.

‘Don’t Say No’: 20 Years as a DJ (ft. Dominic Longo)

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Our latest guest on The Quinn Spinn is… my brother.

My brother Dominic has been a professional DJ for the past two decades. Like anybody building an entertainment-based business from zero, he’s learned countless lessons along the way — lessons which he now looks to teach the next generation of aspiring event DJs.

Also, this episode offers a throwback all the way to the pre-historic days of The Quinn Spinn. In case you didn’t know, we got our start as a college radio show called Dominic & The Quinn at Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA in 2007-08.

Join Dominic’s Facebook group
We now mentor aspiring DJs through UMC Academy!
Become an UnderDog!

The Quinn Spinn is recorded and produced at Helping Our Music Evolve, Nashville ,TN.

Opening theme: REVEL 9 – All I’ve Become

The Quinn Spinn
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NASHVILLE: RSVP for Our ’60+ Lessons’ Launch Party & Free Branding Workshop

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Before you can get to where you want to go, you must answer a very important question…

WHY?

What drives you to create? How will connecting to the world through music enrich your life, and the lives of those around you?

It’s a deep question, and we want to help you uncover the answer. That’s why we’re hosting our Building Your Authentic Artist Brand workshop on Thursday, February 27 from 5-8:30 p.m. at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville).

RSVP HERE

In this FREE interactive workshop, we’ll walk through the steps of developing your authentic artist brand. We’ll uncover what connects you to your audience, and how to build a community that will attract media, performance, and partnership opportunities.

The workshop portion of the evening runs from 6-8 p.m. Before (and after), join us for an exclusive book release party in celebration of 60+ Lessons from the Creative Journey: A Handy Guide for the Budding Entrepreneur — the debut release from UMC Founder/CEO Gerard Longo.

Space is limited! Come gain insight featured by reputable music industry conferences across North America, including SXSW, NOLA MusiCon, and more!

BRANDCAMP Counselor’s Log: Clarity Takes Hold

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Our inaugural class of BRANDCAMPers are fully immersed in the process. They’re digging deep within themselves to define their visions in a way that feels purposeful to them. They’re taking the many big ideas they’ve already had inside, putting them into words, and turning those words into action. They’re uncovering new ideas from our time together.

And, truth be told, so am I.

This week’s hot button question was, “what is something unique that you bring to the table?” Our conscious, creative BRANDCAMPers were all quick to identify the attributes which position them to have a distinct impact on the creative landscape. It was inspiring to see such a profound level of collective self-awareness take shape, and that inspiration gave me the opportunity to go inward.

Each one of our conversations (individual and group) is an opportunity for me to reflect on my own process in designing this program. It’s a chance to take a look at the BRANDCAMP questions and prompts, assess the responses I receive, and tweak what’s necessary to make the experience even more meaningful. The fact that we’re all sharing an open dialogue as this is occurring – as all of our creative processes are taking more refined shapes – makes this a valuable shared experience that helps each of us clarify our individual visions, and how they serve the greater good.

I can feel that clarity taking hold, and a sense of cohesion as we all take in this experience – individually and together, all at once.

SAVE THE DATE: Our Next Free Branding Workshop is Feb. 27 in Nashville

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BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

We had such a great time (and received so much great feedback) during this week’s Building Your Authentic Artist Brand workshop that we’re running it back next month!

This FREE workshop will take place Thursday, February 27 from 6-8 p.m. at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville). We’ll walk through the steps of developing your authentic artist brand, uncover what connects you to your audience segments, and how to build a community and set goals to attract more meaningful opportunities. 

Space is limited to the first 10 registrants! Come gain insight featured by reputable music industry conferences across North America, including SXSW, NOLA MusiCon, and more!

REGISTER NOW

A BRANDCAMP Deal to Show Our Gratitude

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We’re beyond appreciative for another fantastic year of learning and growing together. 2024 has been one for the ages!

So, we want to make it easier for you to start next year off right!

Through Sunday, December 1, we’re offering $100 off BRANDCAMP from UMC Academy registration. There’s no better time to get in on our six-week program designed to help you start 2025 with a clear vision for your artist brand – complete with actionable goals, 1-on-1 mentorship, and a community of driven artistpreneurs.

As a reminder, here’s what you’ll receive:

  • Our Values-Mission-Vision (VMV) Workshop, designed to help you develop your authentic, clearly-defined brand vision.
  • Weekly 1-on-1 mentorship sessions, aimed toward sparking fresh ideas and defining your goals.
  • Weekly Mastermind calls with your UMC BRANDCAMP peers.
  • Early access membership into the UMC UnderDogs community (FREE for life!).
  • A FREE signed copy of 60+ Lessons from the Creative Journey (out Feb. 25).
REGISTER NOW

FREE WORKSHOP: ‘Building Your Authentic Artist Brand’ Jan. 9 in Nashville

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Before you can get to where you want to go, you must answer a very important question…

WHY?

What drives you to create? How will connecting to the world through music enrich your life, and the lives of those around you?

It’s a deep question, and we want to help you uncover the answer. That’s why we’re hosting our Building Your Authentic Artist Brand workshop on Thursday, January 9 from 6-8 p.m. at Helping Our Music Evolve (615 Main St., Suite G1, Nashville).

In this FREE interactive workshop, we’ll walk through the steps of developing your authentic artist brand. We’ll uncover what connects you to your audience, and how to build a community that will attract media, performance, and partnership opportunities.

Space is limited to the first 10 registrants! Come gain insight featured by reputable music industry conferences across North America, including SXSW, NOLA MusiCon, and more!

SIGN UP NOW