The 2019 Bringing Down the House program is a wrap! The 2019 class was as diverse as it was talented. We saw a variety of genres represented including pop, hip hop, electronic, rap, rock, R&B, and mariachi. There was a collaborative spirit where young artists connected creatively across genres to support one another’s artistry during performances creating musical magic. Nearly 2,000 fans came out to support the artists at four concerts across the country. The results were outstanding and inspirational!
This year, Music Forward added a mentoring component to the program that allowed artists to work closely with industry mentors to plan and execute their showcase performances. We are excited to add this piece in our program and will continue to develop opportunities that bolster connections, build confidence, and support artist development. In addition to our mentors, industry professionals reviewed applications, shared expertise during panel discussions, answered questions from participants, offered guidance during hands-on activities, provided performance feedback at showcases, and served as concert emcees. Los Angeles artists had a special treat when singer and actress Sofia Carson visited their live production workshop. Sofia shared some performance tips and advice with the emerging artists and it was a special experience for everyone involved. We are grateful to the industry professionals who generously shared their time in support of our young artists.
Bringing Down the House would not be possible without the partnership of so many Music Forward champions. Special thanks to Live Nation and House of Blues for venue support and expertise. In addition to our industry professional volunteers, our general event volunteers and program alumni donated their time to ensure smooth and successful experiences across the country. Bringing Down the House Chicago is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, and, also made possible through sponsorship from our partner, Preach Management. Finally, we thank DLS Events, the Kenneth T. and Eileen L. Norris Foundation, and the Adams-Mastrovich Family Foundation for their continued support of Bringing Down the House Los Angeles.
Although we’ve just concluded this year’s program, the Music Forward team is back to work planning for the growth of the program and creating performance and learning opportunities for our ever-growing group of Bringing Down the House alumni. Keep an eye on these remarkable artists and stay tuned for exciting updates to come!