GLOBAL IMPACT MUSICIAN

A TUITION-FREE PROGRAM THAT ELIMINATES BARRIERS BY EQUIPPING ARTISTS WITH THE TOOLS, MINDSET, AND SUPPORT THEY NEED TO THRIVE—AS LEADERS AND INNOVATORS ON A GLOBAL STAGE

Group of people playing trumpets in a music class or band practice.
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PROGRAM OVERVIEW

WE WELCOME YOUNG, VIBRANT, AND PASSIONATE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO PERSONAL AND ARTISTIC GROWTH

Global Impact Musician is an annual outreach program designed to support and equip emerging artists and community leaders from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, and Rwanda with the skills and global opportunities needed to advance their craft and drive innovation in their local initiatives.

Over the course of a year, participants engage in online workshops and mentorship sessions focused on personal growth, professional development, and entrepreneurial success. In addition, the program offers targeted support to help artists elevate their ideas and bring their creative and entrepreneurial visions to life.

  • BUILD VERSATILE SKILLSETS

    Support artists and community leaders in developing essential skills across personal growth, creative practice, education, and entrepreneurship—equipping them to thrive in today’s interconnected and evolving cultural landscape.

    BRIDGE CREATIVITY AND ENTERPRISE
    Provide practical tools and knowledge to navigate the business side of creative work, including self-promotion, project management, financial sustainability, and community engagement.


    FOSTER LEADERSHIP AND INNOVATION


    Cultivate critical thinking, initiative, and creative problem-solving to empower participants as changemakers—driving forward impactful work within their communities and across global networks.

  • ACCESS TO GLOBAL NETWORKS

    Gain direct access to a worldwide community of artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers—building lasting connections that extend far beyond the program.

    PERSONALIZED MENTORSHIP & GUIDANCE
    Receive one-on-one mentorship from experienced professionals in the fields of art, leadership, and innovation—tailored to each participant’s unique goals and challenges.

    Monthly meet-up sessions focused on collaborative music-making. Participants will connect, play, and perform in a supportive space that celebrates creativity and community through shared musical experiences.

    GROWTH THROUGH COLLABORATION
    Participate in a supportive, cross-cultural environment that fosters collaboration, shared learning, and mutual inspiration among peers from across East Africa and beyond.

  • CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

    • Official recognition from Global Impact Circle Inc. and Wisconsin University-Madison

    • Credential for resumes and other professional portfolios

    PERSONALISED CAREER PLAN

    • Goal-oriented roadmap for artistic and professional growth

    • Clear next steps for entrepreneurship, performance, or academia

    • A five-year actionable personal and career development plan

    INDUSTRY READY MATERIALS

    • Professional bio, resume, and CV tailored for artistic careers

    • Website & social media strategy (if applicable)

    • Mock interview feedback for real-world preparation

    FINAL PROJECT PORTFOLIO

    • Completed capstone project showcasing learned skills (for selected participants)

    • A detailed project proposal, development strategy, budget and financial model

    NETWORK OPPORTUNITIES

    • Access to mentors, industry professionals, and fellow participants

    • Alumni connections & ongoing career support

THE 2025-2026

PROGRAM TIMELINE

This year-long program bridges the gap between artistic excellence and industry readiness success—empowering musicians to build sustainable, innovative careers with skill, confidence, and purpose.

Through structured learning and hands-on application, participants consolidate their skills into a cohesive action plan tailored to their individual goals. Participants are selected through a multi-stage process, including an application and interview, followed by a comprehensive program of mentorship and community engagement.

STAGE 1 — ADMISSION

Applications open: 1 June 2025

Applications deadline: 5 July 2025

Interview invitations sent to shortlisted applicants shortly after.

STAGE 2 — LEARNING

Mentorship sessions run throughout:

18 August 2025 – 1 June 2026

  • Weekly group and 1-on-1 sessions (online)

  • Monthly in-person check-ins and music-making sessions with our Africa-based team

Teaching concludes: 1 June 2026

Final Showcase: 12 June 2026

STAGE 3 — CAPSTONE RESIDENCY

(By Invitation only*)

Participants demonstrating high levels of effort and growth will be considered for an advanced residency phase.

  • Interview invitations sent: 1 April 2026

  • Decisions announced: 15 April 2026

  • Capstone Residency held:June – July 2026

*Final approval and availability of residency positions are subject to confirmation by the University of Wisconsin–Madison and contingent upon forthcoming program development.

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CURRICULUM

At the heart of it all: a program that equips musicians with the tools, mindset, and support to thrive—as artists, leaders, and innovators.

  • THE ART OF SELF-DEVELOPMENT

    • Orientation, personal growth strategies, and individual goal setting.

  • THE PROFESSIONAL GROWTH BLUEPRINT

    • Career mapping, branding, and foundational tools for professional development.

  • MUSICIANS AS EDUCATORS – SKILLS FOR QUALITY IMPACT

    • Pedagogical strategies, workshop facilitation, and creative leadership.

  • PROJECT DEVELOPMENT & MANAGEMENT

    • Practical planning, budgeting, fundraising, and partnership building.

  • FINAL PROJECT – SELF-GUIDED WITH MENTORSHIP

    • Participants develop and refine their final projects with individual mentor support.

CAPSTONE RESIDENCY

Logo for Mead Witter School of Music at University of Wisconsin-Madison, featuring a crest with a red shield and a white 'W' in the center.
University of Wisconsin-Madison logo with red shield and white 'W'
Exterior view of Hamel Music Center with glass facade at dusk, showing the entrance, street, and people nearby.

ON-SITE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE

  • Intensive, hands-on training in a professional setting at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

  • Collaboration with faculty, industry experts, and peers

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RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

  • Cross-disciplinary collaborations in music & technology, education, business, media, and health sciences

  • Potential projects include music therapy research, AI, 3D printing, cross-genre compositions, multimedia installations, and community engagement initiatives

  • Personalized mentorship to refine capstone projects

  • Live presentations, feedback sessions, and portfolio evaluations

An auditorium with a stage where a choir is performing, surrounded by seating filled with audience members, and decorated with large circular wall accents in shades of red.

FINAL SHOWCASE & CERTIFICATION

  • Official recognition from Wisconsin University-Madison

  • Completion of a high-impact, real-world project

FACULTY

The Global Impact Musician Program is led by a distinguished international faculty whose diverse expertise reflects a shared commitment to artistic excellence, inclusive education, and global impact.

  • A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a black off-shoulder top, smiling and holding a violin against a dark background.

    Zeynep Alpan

    EM Program Co-Founder, Violinist, Faculty member in New York Philharmonic and Lincoln Center, Co-Founder of the Turkish American Cultural Laboratory

    Learn more
  • A smiling woman with light skin and brown hair wearing a blue button-up shirt, standing in front of a blue wooden wall.

    Taya König-Tarasevich

    EM Program Co-Founder, Flutist, VERITÀ BAROQUE Ensemble Co-Founder, Faculty Member at the University of Wisconsin–Madison

    Learn more
  • African American man with short hair and beard, wearing a blue suit jacket and black shirt, standing outdoors with green plants in the background.

    Levi Wataka

    EM Program Manager, Conductor Nairobi Orchestra and Director at Ekuota Africa, Musical Director of the National Youth Orchestra of Kenya and Assistant Music Director of the Safaricom Youth Orchestra

    Learn More

MENTORS

Students will work with a diverse pool of experienced mentors who offer personalized guidance, feedback, and career insight. Mentors support each student’s artistic and professional goals, helping them refine ideas and navigate their projects with clarity and confidence.

  • Karest Lewela

    Global Products and Services Procurement Director at Publicis Groupe

  • A woman with short brown hair smiling, wearing a white blouse and a pearl necklace, standing inside a building with large windows.

    Emma Morton

    Ekuota Africa - Educational Consultant, EM Mentor

  • Matthew H. Brown

    Associate Professor in African Cultural Studies at University of Wisconsin-Madison, Author of Indirect Subjects: Nollywood’s Local Address

  • A man with long dreadlocks, glasses, and a beaming smile, wearing a colorful traditional African shirt, standing outdoors with blurred greenery in the background.

    Harry Kiiru

    PhD Candidate for African Cultural Studies, EM Mentor

  • A man with dark hair and facial hair, wearing a black leather jacket over a white shirt, posing against a plain gray background.

    Philip Sheegog

    Co-Founder and Cellist of ARKAI, EM Mentor

  • Portrait of a man with curly dark hair and a beard, wearing a blue shirt and a black blazer, outdoors with green trees in the background.

    Aaron Greer

    Professor of Film at UW-Madison, EM Mentor

  • A man in a tuxedo with a bow tie smiling at a formal event.

    David Lee Freeman II

    General Manager at Equinox,
    Founder of Orchestra Auditions, EM Mentor

  • A woman wearing a red dress sitting against a dark background.

    Anotonina Sterina

    Soprano, Embodiment,
    Mentor & Coach, Somatic &
    Feldenkrais Practitioner

  • A woman with light skin and brown hair holding a violin against a black background.

    Eugenia Ottaviano

    Violinist Alinde Quartett, EM Mentor

  • Portrait of a young woman with curly hair holding a cello, smiling against a dark background.

    Angela Lobato

    Cellist, actor, Founder of Thaleia
    and Chaconne Ensemble

  • Woman with curly dark hair wearing a bright pink blazer with white trim and gold buttons, standing outdoors in front of a rocky background.

    Sol Dalia Armukarker

    Freelance Musician, EM Mentor

  • Luis Herrera Albertazzi

    Percussionist and Assistant Director of Concert Services, Boston Conservatory at Berklee

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED

Thank you for your interest in The Global Impact Musician, a hybrid program by Global Impact Circle Inc. in partnership with the University of Wisconsin–Madison.

This opportunity is for young artists interested in kickstarting their professional careers and expanding their musical journey across fields such as leadership, education, science, technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact.