Musicians Apprenticeship Pilot Program

Access to tech and creative industry employment

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Access to employment in the tech and creative industries remains deeply inequitable for youth across Los Angeles County, particularly for those from underrepresented and historically marginalized communities. While LA is a global hub for music, entertainment, media, and technology, the pathways into these fields are often limited to students with access to well-funded schools, industry networks, and expensive extracurricular opportunities—resources that many youth in low-income areas simply do not have. The issue is not a lack of talent or interest, but a systemic lack of access to mentorship, hands-on learning, industry exposure, and career development support. MAP offers free music instruction, professional mentorship, and career pathway opportunities for youth ages 12-24 and free or low-cost professional community concerts targeting underserved, marginalized communities. In the past seven years, more than 40,000 students, teachers, parents, and community members have been impacted.

Funding from LA2050 will support a pioneering new apprenticeship program that prepares youth for highly competitive careers in the music and entertainment industries. MAP was recently approved for a groundbreaking, federally recognized, registered apprenticeship for “Session Musician,” the first of its kind in the US, and is currently in the planning and development phase.
The proposed one-year, competency-based program combines 1,000 hours of paid on-the-job training with 144 hours of Related Technical Instruction, offering apprentices hands-on experience in instrumental performance, film/TV scoring, audio/sound engineering, and live event management. Apprentices work alongside top orchestras, recording studios, and scoring stages, participating in real-world projects that build their professional portfolios and position them for long-term employment. The program’s structure will ensure each apprentice receives individualized coaching, mentorship, and career transition support. Upon completion, apprentices will be fully prepared for sustained success in union-based or freelance careers, contributing to a more diverse and equitable creative workforce in California.
The goal of our LA2050 pilot is to finalize program development, engage employer/education partners, and recruit and enroll 5-10 apprentices from underserved communities in a youth test cohort. This allows MAP to evaluate skill and competency gains, receive model validation, and gather scalability insights.

Our theory of change is built on the belief that by offering opportunity youth career pathways, we not only help them build fulfilling careers but also improve their economic mobility. If successful, the MAP Apprenticeship Planning and Pilot initiative will help reshape Los Angeles County into a more inclusive and equitable hub for the music and entertainment industries. By launching the nation’s first federally registered “Session Musician” apprenticeship, MAP will open direct, paid pathways for underrepresented youth into competitive, high-skill creative careers. Participants will gain real-world experience, build professional portfolios, and access mentorship resources typically out of reach for many in underserved communities. This pilot will not only prepare the first cohort for long-term employment but also lay the foundation for a scalable model that diversifies the talent pipeline and strengthens LA’s cultural and economic future.