Music city accelerator
Artist Development at Music City Accelerator focuses on helping emerging musicians strengthen their artistic identity, refine their creative direction, and build the foundational skills needed to grow in today’s music landscape. Rather than promising outcomes, we provide structured education, mentorship, and guided exercises that support students as they learn to define who they are as artists.
Our approach blends creative coaching, self-analysis, technical exercises, and practical frameworks. Students learn how to assess their work, understand their place in the market, communicate their identity, and develop clarity around what makes their artistry unique.
Our current Artist Development course — Branding & Identity — is designed for artists who want to develop clarity, direction, and purpose behind their sound and creative presentation.
This multi-week class blends guided instruction with self-study, feedback sessions, and structured assignments that help you examine your current work, understand your artistic influences, and build a strong creative framework.
What Students Learn in This Course:
Understanding Your Artistic Reality
Students begin by analyzing their existing work and evaluating their current skills. You’ll complete a structured self-assessment that clarifies strengths, challenges, musical direction, and areas for improvement. This exercise encourages honest reflection and helps you understand where your music fits in the current landscape.
Defining Your Artistic “Container”
Your artistic container is the combination of sound, visual language, emotional tone, and creative identity that makes your work recognizable. Through research, guided exercises, and instructor feedback, you’ll learn how to define a clear, authentic container that matches your goals and resonates with your audience.
Vision Board Development
You’ll create a three-panel vision board representing your artistic past, present, and future. This process provides insight into your influences, your current reality, and your long-term identity as a creator. Students develop an Artist Statement that connects these elements into a cohesive creative vision.
A/B Referencing and Competitive Analysis
Students learn how to compare their work to relevant artists in their space using reference tracks, industry-standard tools, and structured analysis checklists. This exercise helps clarify the technical and creative differences between your current level and professional work — offering practical direction for improvement.
Live Feedback & Group Discussion
Students participate in instructor-guided live sessions that include discussions, vision board presentations, technical demonstrations, and real-time feedback.
This class is educational in nature and does not guarantee career placement, industry opportunities, or commercial outcomes. It is designed to help artists develop understanding, clarity, and practical methods that support ongoing artistic growth.
This class is ideal for:
Producers, DJs, vocalists, and musicians seeking stronger artistic direction
Creators who want to build a clearer visual and sonic identity
Artists looking for guidance on how to evaluate and refine their existing work
Emerging musicians who want a structured, educational approach to developing their brand and creative identity
Enrollment for Artist Development: Branding & Identity is now open! Students can explore class details, speak with an advisor, or schedule a tour to determine whether this program aligns with their goals.
Student Notice/Disclaimer: All courses offered by Music City Accelerator are for avocational and personal enrichment purposes only. We do not offer degrees, diplomas, or certificates intended to qualify students for employment. No course or program is represented to lead to job placement, licensure, or occupational credentialing.
© Music City San Francisco 2025
Experience the vibrant rhythms and captivating melodies of Latin music as we feature live bands and electrifying DJ sets, showcasing a diverse array of genres from Brazilian Rhythms/Salsa/Cumbia/Latin Jazz/Spanish Rumba/Latin Rock/ Forró & global beats. Feel the energy as talented musicians take the stage, bringing their unique flair and passion to every performance.
Enjoy DJ sets spinning Latin Jams with Disco 80s/90s Funk/Hip Hop/Tropical Bass/Rock/Breaks & more.
Doors Open: 6 PM
Live Performances Begin: 7 PM-10PM
Step into the rhythm and soul of the city at Music City SF every Tuesday for an unforgettable night of live jazz! Wheter you’re a jazz aficionado or just looking to unwind, our talented musicians will transport you through the smooth, sultry sounds of Classic Jazz, Soul Jazz, and Jazz Fusion.
Door Opens: 6 PM
Live Performance Begin: 7 PM – 10 PM
Step into the unexpected at Music City SF’s Eclectic Night, where musical boundaries are meant to be crossed! Every Friday, we bring you an exciting mix of artists, from funk to jazz, hip hop to rock, and everything in between.
Doors Open: 6pm
Live Performances Begin: 7 PM-10PM
Every Thursday night, dive into the heart of the underground with weekly rotating performances featuring a fresh mix of musicians, cyphers, and DJs that keep the energy alive. Whether you’re here for smooth R&B vibes, soulful vocals, or fire hip-hop beats, The Music City Underground has it all.
Doors Open: 6 PM
Live Performances Begin: 7 PM-10PM
Step into a time machine of music and let the decades take you on an unforgettable journey! Relive the hits from the ’60s to the ‘2000s with incredible tribute performances that’ll have you dancing all night long.
Doors open at 6 PM.
Performances kick off at 7 PM.
From timeless classics to deep cuts that defined an era, keep the dance floor alive with the irresistible rhythms and smooth sounds that made Motown legendary. Don’t miss a night of soulful vibes and nonstop energy!
Door Opens: 6 PM
Live Performance Begin: 7 PM – 10 PM
Experience a thrilling variety of Rock, Folk, Blues, and Country music every Wednesday night! A high-energy event featuring live bands and DJs across six stages! From rock anthems to country classics and everything in between, this night promises non-stop entertainment and unforgettable performances.
Doors Open: 6 PM
Live Performances: 7 PM – 11 PM
Deborah Barsotti
Education director
deb@musiccitysf.org
More info coming soon!
Aprill Lacey
Executive Director
Aprill@musiccitysf.org
Contact Aprill for booking inquiries!
