Guided at Every Stage: Finding Mentorship Throughout Your Artistic Journey

Presenters: Donald Brinegar and Jenny Tisi

Session Description
Most artists can easily name a teacher or mentor who shaped their early development. Fewer talk
about the mentors who helped them navigate their first job, work through professional
challenges, rediscover artistic inspiration, or grow into leadership roles. The reality is that
mentorship is not something we outgrow—it is something we rely on throughout our entire
artistic lives.

This workshop explores mentorship as an essential and ongoing part of artistic development
rather than something limited to student or early career experiences. Participants will examine
how mentorship needs change throughout a career, how to intentionally seek mentors based on
current professional needs, and how many musicians eventually find themselves serving
simultaneously as both mentor and mentee.
Through discussion and guided reflection, participants will gain practical ideas for building
meaningful mentorship relationships and strengthening the professional networks that sustain
healthy artistic communities.

Participants will:
 Understand mentorship as a lifelong component of artistic and professional growth
 Recognize how mentorship needs evolve at different career stages
 Identify different types of mentors that support artistic development
 Learn practical strategies for finding mentors at any stage of a career
 Reflect on their own role as both mentee and mentor within the artistic community

Session Overview
The workshop will begin by addressing the misconception that mentorship is primarily for
students or emerging professionals. Discussion will focus on how mentorship continues to play a
vital role as artists navigate career transitions, leadership responsibilities, artistic challenges, and
questions of sustainability and inspiration.
The session will then explore how mentorship needs often change throughout a career. Early-
career artists frequently seek technical guidance and professional direction, while developing
professionals may look for leadership advice, artistic renewal, or support through workplace challenges. Experienced artists often benefit from collaborative mentors who provide fresh
perspectives, continued inspiration, and meaningful artistic dialogue.

Participants will also explore the idea that no single mentor can meet every professional need.
Instead, successful artists often build networks of trusted colleagues who provide different types
of support, including technical mentors, artistic mentors, professional mentors, and peer mentors.
The workshop will also address practical ways to find mentorship at any stage. These may
include maintaining relationships with former teachers, building connections through festivals
and professional gatherings, observing respected colleagues, and learning how to reach out
professionally to those whose work they admire.

Finally, the session will explore the important professional transition that occurs when artists
realize they are both receiving mentorship and providing it. Strong artistic communities depend
on this ongoing cycle of support, guidance, and professional generosity.
Participants will conclude with a brief reflection activity designed to help them identify
mentorship relationships they may want to strengthen, develop, or initiate.