Call for Teen Musicians NextNote Pathways: Teen Musician Internship Program in Canoga Park

NextNote Pathways: Teen Musician Internship Program in Canoga Park Issued by the Performing Arts Division of the Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA|PERF”). I. Introduction The Department of Cultural Affairs for the City of Los Angeles (“DCA”) seeks to enter into a non-exclusive, project-based agreement with ten (10) teen musicians to participate in a internship program for one week in the summer where they will rehearse three (3) hours daily in the afternoon culminating in a Sunday evening performance with a professional ten piece band. II. The Division DCA|PERF serves as the heart of the City’s support of live dance, music, theater, and digital media platforms, offering Angelenos low-cost rental opportunities at six professional, DCA-managed, performing arts centers and two public/private partnership theaters.  At the core of its mission, DCA|PERF also produces world-class programming locally, providing catalysts for economic development, community engagement, and civic education and pride. When producing its programming, DCA|PERF uses independent, peer-review panels to select artists who respond to calls, and who create and present programming across the City. DCA|PERF’s community-focused programming shapes attitudes, counters cultural stereotypes, and inspires creativity. Both DCA|PERF’s programming and rentals at its performing arts centers play an essential role in stabilizing LA’s artistic ecosystem and nurturing the revitalization of our City’s creative communities. III. The Program NextNote Pathways: Teen Musician Internship Program in Canoga Park In 2022, the Department of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Division (DCA|PERF) launched the Soul of Music Project, now known as NextNote Pathways, a hands-on program designed for teenage musicians interested in exploring the realities of a professional career in music. The program is intended for students ready to move beyond school ensembles and engage in the collaborative, performance-driven environment of professional musicianship. This one-week intensive immerses students in a professional rehearsal setting for three hours each day, working closely with experienced musicians and mentors. The program culminates in a live performance alongside a working band, providing participants with the opportunity to perform on stage, develop confidence, and gain firsthand insight into the expectations of professional music environments. Originally focused on brass instruments, the program has expanded to include trumpet, trombone, saxophone, keyboard, electric guitar, bass, drums, and vocals , reflecting the diverse range of musicians essential to today’s music industry. Enrollment is limited to ten (10) students, ensuring personalized instruction, meaningful collaboration, and a genuine ensemble experience. Participants are required to be available for one week in June or July (dates to be determined), Monday through Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a concluding performance on Sunday evening. The program is open to intermediate to advanced youth musicians who are committed to developing their skills and pursuing growth in music. NextNote provides participants with a rare and invaluable experience: an authentic introduction to professional-level rehearsals, ensemble collaboration, gig preparation, and performance. Beyond refining musical proficiency, students cultivate confidence, teamwork, and a clearer perspective on whether a career in music aligns with their aspirations. Through rehearsals, mentorship, performance, and shared band experiences, NextNote fosters a supportive and inspiring environment. It connects young musicians to Canoga Park’s rich musical culture while equipping them to take meaningful steps toward their future in music. IV. The Scope of Services NextNote Pathways: Teen Musician Internship Program The Department of Cultural Affairs Performing Arts Division (DCA|PERF) seeks ten (10) motivated intermediate/advanced student musicians between the ages of fourteen (14) and nineteen (19) years of age to participate in a teen musician internship program for one week in summer in Canoga Park located in the West Valley of Los Angeles between the months of June 2026 and July 2026 . We invite applicants to step into this immersive program designed to bridge student musicians to professional musicianship. The awarded teen musicians are responsible for the following (including, but not limited to): Provide a BTRC (City of LA Business Tax Registration Certificate) by March 30, 2026.  This requires an online registration process, if applicant does not already have one. Submit a Promotional Photo, preferably with the artist and their instrument, and a Bio (100 words or fewer) by March 30, 2026 Submit relevant payment documentation —including a W-9, electronic payment paperwork, Waiver & Indemnity Form, Scope of Work Invoice, and any other required paperwork by April 5, 2026. Promote the event and involvement in it to your network, through social media, flyer distribution, and community outreach. Arrive on time for all rehearsal, sound check and performance times. Attend all rehearsals from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday in Canoga Park, as well as, the performance on Sunday evening in June or July, 2026 on a designated date, TBD. All musicians will know that dates of the program by April 16, 2026. Teen interns must be able to meet deadlines, collaborate with city staff and local partners, and participate fully in the safe, inclusive, and culturally resonant public program. V. Fees For the completion of the above services DCA|PERF will pay to each teen musician the all-inclusive commission listed below. NextNote Pathways: Teen Musician Internship Program ($200) one-week rehearsal intensive internship program for intermediate to advanced teenage musicians. Working closely with experienced musicians and mentors, the week culminates in a live performance alongside a professional band, offering students valuable experience in collaboration, rehearsal discipline, and on-stage performance while building the skills, confidence, and insight needed to take the next step toward their musical future. The City of Los Angeles does not front-fund projects. Payments will be made when the Artist meets deliverable benchmarks. The final payment will be made after the completion of the project, the Curator meets all necessary criteria, and may take up to four (4) months to be fully disbursed. VI. Application Process Recipients of 2025-2026 Grants from DCA are not eligible to respond to this call. Only one application may be submitted per Artist. Proposals must include a Video sample. A complete application consists of answering all the questions below and submitting the required documentation to dca-madridtheatre@lacity.org by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 . The subject line should read Teen Music Internship. Response proposals must include the following [Rating value]: Contact information for both the teen musician and a parent or guardian (please include name, phone, and email); A 100-word introduction to the artist/musician: experience, interests, and future goals in music; [10 points] Examples of relevant past projects and examples of prior performances and pertinent materials in digital formats or web links. [10 points] What Instrument is the applicant willing to play for internship: trumpet, trombone, saxophone, keyboard, electric guitar, bass, drums, or vocals. (Please note: if you choose more than one, please include priority preferences.  Please do not include any instruments that you play, but do not want to do for the internship program.) A 2 to 3 minute video submission, in digital formats or web links, demonstrating applicants current ability in playing an instrument. Please include one (1) video submission for each instrument you listed in question #4. (Please note: as long as it is clear, video production value is not pertinent.) [30 points] The highest total score that can be reached by peer-panel review is 50 points. VII. Selection Criteria and Process DCA|PERF will review submitted proposals for completeness and qualifications. Selection for a contract award will be made based on meeting the following criteria: • Responsiveness to the specifics of this call; • Expertise and experience of Artists; • Creativity and innovation of past project history. DCA|PERF is seeking teen musicians who have not completed this program with the City of Los Angeles whenever possible. DCA|PERF also encourages the submission of proposals from underserved and/or underrepresented artists or firms owned by minorities, women, immigrants, and veterans. DCA|PERF does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, national origin, disability, or veteran status in consideration of these commissions. The City of Los Angeles is an Equal Opportunity Employer. VIII. The Fine Print The following terms and conditions apply to all responses to this call: 1. DCA|PERF reserves the right to reject any and all proposals submitted; to select one or more responding parties; to void this call and the review process and/or terminate negotiations at any time; to select separate responding parties for various components of the scope of services; to select a final/parties from among the proposals received in response to this call. Additionally, any project elements, requirements, and schedules are subject to change and modification. DCA|PERF also reserves the unqualified right to modify, suspend, or terminate at its sole discretion any aspects of this selection process, to obtain further information from any responding parties, and to waive any defects as to the form or content of this call or any responses by any party; 2. This call does not commit DCA|PERF to award a contract, to defray any costs incurred in the preparation of a response, or to contract for any services. All submitted responses become the property of DCA|PERF as public records. All proposals may be subject to public review, upon request, unless exempted as discussed elsewhere in this call; 3. By accepting this call and/or submitting a proposal in response thereto, each responding party agrees for itself, its successors, and assigns, to hold DCA|PERF and its affiliated entities, the City of Los Angeles, and all of their various agents, commissioners, directors, consultants, attorneys, officers and employees harmless from and against any claims and demands of whatever nature or type, which any such responding company, its representatives, agents, contractors, successors or assigns may have against any of them as a result of issuing or revising this call, conducting the selection process and subsequent negotiations, making a final recommendation, selecting a responding party/parties or negotiating or executing an agreement incorporating the commitments of the selected responding party; 4. By submitting responses, each responding party acknowledges having read this Fine Print in its entirety and agrees to all terms and conditions set therein; 5. Responses shall be open and valid for a period of three (3) weeks from the due date. IX.  Schedule Call Issued Wednesday, February 11, 2026 Deadline for Submissions Wednesday, March 4, 2026 Selection of Artist / Contract Awarded Monday, March 23, 2026 Mandatory Teen Intern virtual meeting Thursday, April 16, 2026 @ 4:30 p.m. Term of Contract Begins Monday, June 1, 2026 Term of Contract Ends Friday, July 31, 2026 Proposals must be received no later than 11.59pm on Wednesday, March 4, 2026 . DCA|PERF is not obligated to consider proposals received after this date and time.