Backstage Pass: “Your Band as a Business” x “Establishing Your Live Value”
October 25, 2023
Join Alberta Music for an exclusive afternoon of workshops in partnership with CMI (Canada’s Music Incubator) hosted IN PERSON in both CALGARY and EDMONTON.
Vel Omazic, Co- founder and Executive Director for CMI, hosts “Your Band as a Business.” This panel will be beneficial for artist managers and self-managed artists who are excelling in the creative world and need support with their business ledgers. Topics will include knowing when to incorporate, how to manage financials while on tour, and best record keeping practices. This session has been a favorite of artists participating in our incubator program, Project Wild, and we look forward to bringing it to all of Alberta Music.
The afternoon will include a second session “Establishing Your Live Value” presented by Jesse Mitchell. Jesse is the Vice President of CMI, overseeing CMI Live, which focuses on connecting emerging artists with paid performance opportunities across Canada. This session will cover the importance of building your audience and knowing how to build a successful live show.
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Time: 12pm – 3pm
Location: National Music Centre
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Location: 9910 109 St NW, Edmonton, AB T5K 1H5
Vel Omazik:
Co-Founder & Executive Director, CMI
Vel Omazic has been CMI’s executive director since co-founding the not-for-profit organization in 2011. He has worked in the Canadian music industry for three decades, having served as Vice-President, National Promotion and Media Relations for Sony Music Canada for 10 of those years. He got his start in the National Promotion/Publicity department at PolyGram Records. Prior to launching CMI, Vel was VP Marketing & Communications at Green Living Enterprises, an environmental consulting, marketing and events agency. Vel is also on the Advisory Board for the Amplify Music Incubator in India, which is modelled after CMI.
Jesse Mitchell:
Vice-President, CMI
As VP, Jesse Mitchell oversees CMI Live, which focuses on connecting emerging artists with paid performance opportunities across Canada. He also has a hand in the development and execution of all professional development programs. He joined CMI in 2012. Jesse has worked in the Canadian music industry for over 20+ years with an extensive background in artist management (he manages Canadian rock artist Kim Mitchell), tour management, and festival management. Jesse holds a Bachelor of Business Commerce with a minor in Marketing from Toronto Metropolitan University.