GRAMMY U To Host First-Ever ‘Virtual Conference’ With JoJo & More | Streaming April 17th

GRAMMY U, the Recording Academy‘s youngest membership group, is hosting their first-ever online conference, open to the public and streaming on the Recording Academy Facebook, page tomorrow Friday, April 17th at 2 p.m. PST/4 p.m. CST/5 p.m. EST.

The Virtual GRAMMY U Conference will be split into three parts: two panels—on mental health and music publishing, respectively—featuring industry experts and a conversation-plus-performance from U.K. alt-pop duo Oh Wonder.

The first panel, entitled “Stop the Stigma: Mental Health & Music” will focus on “how to stay connected while in quarantine and on the road, growing up in the spotlight and the impact of social media on mental health.” This timely conversation will be led by music executive and Silence the Shame founder Shanti Das and powerhouse singer JoJo.

The other panel, “Publishing 101,” will “break down the basics about publishing deals and royalties and the role publishers play in the careers of songwriters.” The conversation will feature Ruby Amanfu, the Ghana-born, Nashville-based singer/songwriter who co-wrote H.E.R.‘s GRAMMY-nominated “Hard Place,” Jennifer Blakeman, NYU professor and President/CCO of One77, Al “Butter” McLean, Senior VP of Creative at Kobalt Music, Liz Rose, GRAMMY-winning songwriter and founder of Liz Rose Music Publishing; and Ana Rosa Santiago, VP of Latin Music at Universal Music Publishing Group.

The final segment, featuring Oh Wonder, will see the band discussing creativity during quarantine and the stories behind a few of their songs.

The event was produced by GRAMMY U Reps from around the country, creating a fun and educational experience with their fellow music industry-aspiring peers in mind. They note that they’ll feature student-submitted videos during the breaks in the programming as well as offer giveaways in the live chat during the conference.

Tune in to the Recording Academy’s Facebook Page on Friday, April 17th at 2 p.m. PST/4 p.m. CST/5 p.m You can R.S.V.P. Now!