NAMM's Believe in Music Week Previews Education Tracks

Sitting at the heart of the industry's crossroads, NAMM's Believe in Music week (January 2021) -- the online, global gathering to unify and support the people who bring music to the world -- will offer 150-plus professional development and training sessions for all sectors of the music products, pro audio and entertainment technology industries, and NAMM Foundation education for music educators and administrators, nonprofit professionals, and college-aged students and faculty, among others. Featured on the Believe in Music platform and free to all registrants, professionals will have access to the strategies and tools to further their businesses and careers by connecting with top thought leaders to meet challenges and thrive in any climate.

"While we cannot gather in person in January, the opportunity to band together to bring music to the world and support those who continue to be affected has never been more important than at this moment in time," says Joe Lamond, NAMM president and CEO. "For members who are seeking the tools to prepare for the future, now is the time to invest in yourself with meaningful education and training to meet what's next."

Believe in Music week will offer four main tracks for music products, pro audio and entertainment technology professionals: Business, Audio Production and Music Technology, Entertainment Technology, and Artists. Each day of education, Thursday, January 20, and Friday, January 21, will kick off with an opening "big picture" session featuring industry VIPs, artists and influencers, and Joe Lamond, with perspectives of what to expect in the year ahead.

The Business Track will bring together the top minds in the industry to offer actionable strategies, tactics, and best practices for music retailers and brands to navigate to the next level. At the heart of the track is NAMM U for member-only sessions on pressing topics, including "SEO Tips for 2021" by SEO expert Bill Sebald; "Email Marketing Tips to Increase Sales by 3x" by Ayana Webb of The Musical Webb; and a variety of sessions on online marketing and social media strategy, branding, virtual lesson programs, and creative ways to manage inventory and cash during a pandemic. Bob Phibbs, "The Retail Doctor," and New York Times best-selling author, Scott Stratten, will also return for special sessions.

Audio professionals will also be able to grow and hone their skills in pro audio and technology. Sessions for recording, live sound, house of worship professionals, and music technologists will dive into the latest tools, tips and innovations while also exploring the landscape of new technology. Programs include:

TEC Tracks will offer big-picture sessions and high-profile topics in recording, live sound and music business, featuring industry thought leaders. Highlights include interviews with top producers, engineers and artists, including Dave Cobb, Craig Bauer, Patrice Rushen, John Boylan, Suzanne Ciani, Billy Bob Thornton, Peter Asher, and Tom and Chris Lord-Alge; live streaming and remote music production tips and techniques; and sessions for house of worship audio professionals.

For the future-minded, A3E (Advanced Audio + Applications Exchange) will feature future-forward education on how next-generation content creation is reshaping the entertainment industry. Topics will include content creation platforms pioneering new music industry business models, applying gamification principles to music instrument design, concerts in a virtual world and live versus live streaming.

The AES (Audio Engineering Society) joins Believe in Music to present educational sessions on key topics for audio professionals, including streaming live performances; next steps for the live event industry; mastering mixes; and careers in professional audio.

Audinate will offer free Dante certification training of its leading audio-video network solution, including updated levels 1 and 2 training. At the end of these trainings, attendees should be skilled enough to complete the Dante certification test.

ESTA will feature in-depth education and training sessions for entertainment technology and design professionals, as well as those responsible for their safety. ESTA's extensive sessions will cover everything from lighting and lighting networking to rigging and safety.

Front of House, Projection, Lights & Staging News, and Stage Directions magazines will present sessions, interviews, and behind-the-scenes presentations with leading names in entertainment production and technology. Among the highlights, Pro Production Sessions will cover uses of XR (extended reality) technology that's redefining the possibilities of live production environments, along with solutions for successful remote collaboration, even from across the world.

Lighting designer and Lighting&Sound America technical editor Richard Cadena will join Believe in Music to present in-depth training for entertainment technology professionals.

The Event Safety Alliance (ESA) will bring a suite of educational sessions with a diverse roster of academics and industry professionals to explore critical issues within the live event space, including safety in production design, risk management, COVID-19 mitigation planning and more.

Show Makers, a resource hub for the live events community, will bring professional and personal development to NAMM's educational programming. Concert industry pros will deliver Show Maker-curated sessions and mentoring, designed to unite, uplift and strengthen those who work in entertainment production. This includes sessions on touring, careers, leadership, mental health and more.

For emerging and established artists, songwriters and studio musicians, the Artist track will cover the new music industry landscape and tips for success.

Other professional opportunities include a series of programs from The NAMM Foundation to serve those in music and arts advocacy, management and education, social justice and emerging professionals. Programs will begin on Monday, January 18 and include:

A collaboration between The NAMM Foundation and The College Music Society (CMS), the education series will offer college-aged students and faculty access to career- and professional development opportunities. Program highlights include the Careers in Music Summit.

School music teachers and administrators will take part in informative sessions, inspiring performances and the opportunity to preview the latest instruments, products and tools relevant to today's changing music classrooms. The track will also host The Peter Luongo Teaching Ukulele Symposium.

Music has always played a key role in ushering in societal change. In the Music and Social Justice track, participants will participate in conversations about diversity and inclusion with leaders of cultural organizations, including a special session, "Bridging Our Differences."

Music and Wellness will explore better living through music for lifelong learners seeking health enrichment.

Now in its fourth year, the Nonprofit Management Institute provides music nonprofits resources to grow and succeed. The institute offers a series of sessions that cover best practices, fundraising and governance, and more.

The schedule for Believe in Music week sessions and events will be published in the weeks to come at NAMM.org and on BelieveinMusic.tv.

Registration for Believe in Music week is free and now open at https://attend.believeinmusic.tv.