More than 50% of University Students Originate from Minority Descent

Programme Features Robust Mentoring and Skills Workshops with Artists and Employees and Potential Internship Opportunities

New Partnership Adds To Sony Music’s Global Efforts To Boost Diversity And Inclusion In The Music Industry And Support Next Generation Of Music Industry Leaders

Taipei – 20 October 2020 – Sony Music Entertainment Taiwan have today launched a new partnership with the National Taitung University to engage, inspire and encourage more young people from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds to pursue future careers in the music industry. 

Over the course of 12 months, students majoring in music are set to benefit from a series of mentoring and hands-on workshops from Sony Music Taiwan employees and artists to help build the skills needed for a career in music. At the end of the course, Sony Music Taiwan will also offer potential internship placements to students from diverse and disadvantaged backgrounds. 

National Taitung University was chosen specifically due to its diverse student populace, with more than half of students originating from Indigenous/Aboriginal descent. Taitung County where the university is based also has the largest aboriginal to overall population of a county in Taiwan.

“Due to the distance of Taitung County from the main commercial hub of Taiwan and the lack of good transportation infrastructure here, it’s historically been a huge challenge getting our students access to music industry professionals,” said President Yew-Min Tzeng Ph.D, National Taitung University. “So we’re delighted Sony Music have launched this new partnership with us, which will be a huge boost to our students in building the skills, contacts and know-how required for vibrant future careers.”

Renowned Taiwanese singer, radio DJ and producer GJ launched the initiative as inaugural speaker, alongside Kevin Foo, General Manager at Sony Music Taiwan and a group of volunteers from the company. GJ worked with students to compose, record and mix a new demo in just 30 minutes, with students also adding vocals and rap to the composition. Students also got the chance to hear GJ perform his new single, after which he offered up insights and lessons learnt on his journey from a foundation in music production to debuting as a prominent artist in the country. 

“It was a huge privilege to meet with the students and support them at the start of their journey in the music business and I plan to stay in touch with the students to help them along the way,” added Sony Music Taiwan artist GJ. “Even though the music industry isn’t an easy path to follow, everyone should follow their hearts and the intentions of their dream. So I’d like to say a huge thanks to Sony Music for letting me be part of such a fantastic initiative.” 

The new partnership adds to Sony Music’s wider global initiatives for promoting diversity and inclusiveness in the music sector, as part of the company’s $100 million Social Justice Fund. Global organizations that have received funding and support, include: a new mentoring programme in the UK to support young people from disadvantaged backgrounds; a partnership with Digify Africa to help address low digital literacy levels in the continent; and a new initiative in Canada to provide black artists and music industry professionals with mentorship, community outreach, business development and entrepreneurship support.