Virtual Masterclass Day

day 1 - August 20, 2025

Join us as we kick off Aberdeen Music Week 2025 with a dynamic Virtual Masterclass, dedicated to empowering musicians, creatives, and industry professionals with cutting-edge insights, global perspectives, and practical tools to thrive in today’s music landscape. Whether you’re an independent artist, aspiring manager, or creative entrepreneur, this session is tailored to spark ideas, build bridges, and inspire your journey.

Welcome Address

Kick off the day with an introduction to the week’s mission, theme, and an overview of what’s to come.

Keynote Masterclass: The 3Gs – Grants, Gigs & Growth

Gain critical insights into the evolving landscape of independent music. This masterclass will unpack the key pillars of sustaining a creative career: securing funding, navigating live performances, and fostering long-term growth.

Break Time

Take a moment to refresh before the next session.

Panel Roundtable: The Future of Independent Music

Explore funding, tech, and trends shaping the future of indie artists in a rapidly changing industry.

Interactive Q&A: Music Business Deep Dive

Bring your questions and dive into real-world insights about the music business.

Closing Remarks

A wrap-up of the day’s key takeaways, and a look ahead to the rest of the week’s inspiring events.

Guest Speakers

Discover the amazing people bringing Aberdeen Music Week to life

Folakemi Falana

Folakemi Falana is a seasoned entertainment lawyer, consultant, and an educator with over a decade of experience. She runs F & F Legal Consulting in Lagos and Folke Consulting in London, providing legal and strategic advisory services to musicians, filmmakers, digital creators, startups, and more. Her expertise spans contracts, copyright, trademarks, licensing, royalties, IP litigation, and dispute resolution. With a Master’s in Entertainment Law from the University of Westminster, she equips creatives with the tools to protect their rights and maximize their intellectual property. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, she regularly features at conferences and workshops, sharing insights on entertainment law and emerging industry trends. Through her podcast and social media platforms, she educates creatives on navigating the legal and business sides of the industry. Folakemi splits her time between London and Lagos, bridging global perspectives in the entertainment space.

Coralie Usmani (Music Business Executive)

Coralie Usmani is a violinist originally from New Zealand and Singapore, and has been living in Scotland for the last 10 years. Her varied career in the music industry includes work as a performer, teacher, manager, and business executive. She has worked with the Auckland Philharmonia, Sistema Scotland, and Jazz Scotland (former CEO), as well as balancing an active freelance career as a musician. She is currently studying towards a PhD at the University of Aberdeen, has a PG Cert in Music Psychology from the University of Sheffield, and a first-class degree in Performance Violin from the University of Auckland.

Leo Fakhrul (Mamba Sounds)

Leo Fakhrul is the Founder and Managing Director of Mamba Sounds, an artist collective and tech-enabled consultancy based in Scotland. Leo sits at the intersection of music, data, and cultural innovation, helping artists build sustainable careers while reshaping how the global music ecosystem connects.

Under Leo’s leadership, Mamba Sounds has reached over 10 million listeners, secured 335+ major playlist placements, and received support from Innovate UK, Scottish Parliament, RBS/NatWest, and AFRIMA. Leo brings sharp insight into streaming strategy, artist development, and creative entrepreneurship, drawn from hands-on experience building one of the world’s most respected independent Afrobeats platforms.

Richy Muirhead (Pitch Scotland)

Based in Glasgow, Richy Muirhead is an experienced event and project manager with over 15 years in the music industry. He is the founder of the Scottish Alternative Music Awards (SAMA), a national platform championing Scotland’s diverse emerging music scene. SAMA has spotlighted artists like Taahliah, VLURE, and Hannah Laing, and has created international opportunities through showcases at events such as SXSW London, Pro Weekend Fest (Spain), and Cranium Arts (Canada). Richy is also the co-founder of PITCH Scotland, a global hip hop conference and showcase featuring speakers like Elijah and Jamz Supernova and performers such as KOJ and Quake Matthews. Holding a master’s in music entrepreneurship, Richy has collaborated with BBC Scotland, Red Bull, PRS Foundation, and more. His work spans event production, international export, and partnership development, driven by a passion for platforming the next generation of talent in Scotland and beyond.

Matthew Ohio (El Carnaval & Industry Nite)

Matthew Ohio is a pioneering force in African entertainment, known for amplifying Afrobeat and championing Afro-centric culture. As Executive Director of El Carnaval and founder of Industry Nite, Africa’s top talent accelerator, he has empowered 1,000+ artists and facilitated over 1000+ events across 8 countries. His work has transformed the African music ecosystem by bridging the gap between creatives, industry stakeholders, and global audiences with over 16 years in concert production, brand partnerships, and talent development, he’s collaborated with global brands like Hennessy, MTV Base, Glenfiddich, and Diageo. A committed human rights advocate, Matthew co-founded MAAHT with 2Baba, using music to combat trafficking and gender-based violence. He also serves as a Director at MCSN, promoting artists’ rights. Through entertainment, activism, and innovation, Matthew bridges culture and impact across continents.

Georgia Ollier

Georgia Ollier is a seasoned performer and global music connector with over a decade of industry experience. Originally from Australia and now based in Scotland’s central belt, she has spent the past six years cultivating a strong presence in the local music scene. As a freelance booking agent, Georgia specialises in Latin and Afro music, working closely with international artists and producing live events that celebrate diverse, global sounds.

With more than ten years of touring experience as a keyboardist and washboard player, she brings invaluable on-stage insight to her work behind the scenes. Her passion lies in building cultural bridges through music, driven by a mission to connect people and communities through the universal language of rhythm and melody.

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