CRS is a leading sponsor of M³ (Mutual Mentorship for Musicians), a platform created by artists Jen Shyu and Sara Serpa to empower, elevate, normalize and give visibility to women, non-binary musicians, and those of other historically underrepresented gender identities in intersection with race, sexuality, or ability across generations in the US and worldwide, through a radical model of mentorship and musical collaborative commissions.
On each solstice, M³ selects 12 outstanding musicians from all over the country and around the world, randomly pairs them for six months, and provides with a $2000 stipend. Through a series of 12 duo and 12 group meetings, they explore relevant issues impacting their work and lives and create new music together, culminating with a live performance and video, post-concert Q&A with each pair, and the publication of their submitted writings (essays, lyrics, poems, etc.) in THE ART OF BEING TRUE: M³ ANTHOLOGY OF WRITINGS edited by M³’s Guest Editor, Naomi Extra.
By supporting artistic excellence through each cohort, M³ creates expandable music communities, while developing sustained lucrative career opportunities for women and non-binary musicians in the industry, in particular for women and non-binary musicians of color. By building a non-hierarchical and intergenerational paradigm of mentorship, M³ celebrates a global network of artists, providing a think tank for new ways to connect, collaborate, perform, support and create.
We can’t wait to see what the members of this newest cohort will create together, and we look forward to introducing them and sharing their work with you!
Jessica Ackerley
@jesssss_ax , guitar (Honolulu, Hawai’i)
• Goussy Célestin
@goussyc, piano/voice/movement/dance (NYC)
• Leonor Falcon
@leitofp, violin/viola (NYC/Venezuela)
• Devon Gates
@devongatesmusic, bass/voice (Atlanta, GA / Boston, MA)
• Ruth Naomi Floyd
@rnfloyd, voice/flute (Philadelphia)
• Gabi Motuba
@gabi_motuba, voice (South Africa)
• Francesca Remigi
@fraremigi_drums, drums (Boston/Milan, Italy)
• Paula Shocron
@paulashocron, piano (Argentina)
• Naomi Moon Siegel
@naomimoonsiegel, trombone (Missoula, MT)
• Ni Nyoman Srayamurtikanti
@srayamurtikanti, Balinese Gamelan (Bali, Indonesia)
• Cansu Tanrikulu
@aysecansutanrikulu, voice+efx (Berlin, Germany)
• Wenjun Wu
@wenjunwu_music, double bass (China/Boston)