True Cadence - The Home of Grassroots Music Education
Who we are
True Cadence is a multi-award-winning music social enterprise based in Barking & Dagenham, and serving the entire East London. We exist for one purpose: to nurture young musical talents from under-resourced communities, providing them with the tools and opportunities to become ‘industry-ready’ professionals in the music industry.
As the home of grassroots music business education and non-profit organisation, we work with upcoming artists and aspiring music industry professionals who wish to know how the music industry works. We provide tailored music workshops, mentorship, and a platform for young people to understand the business side of music while building the skills, confidence, and social network they need to access life-changing opportunities in the industry. From promotion to distribution and everything in between, we help them learn the ropes of music management.
Your Career in Music Starts Here
Mission
Our Mission is to unearth the hidden talents of young people in our under-resourced communities through high quality music education.
Vision
Our Vision is for every young person to express themselves creatively and have the opportunity to make it in the music industry.
Why We Do We What We Do
Most young, aspiring music professionals know next to nothing about the business side of music because music management isn’t taught in schools or colleges. Unless they go to specialist institutions, such knowledge remains inaccessible to them. Sadly, they’re not always able to make it to these institutions due to their poor socio-economic situations, differences in aspirations, lack of opportunities, and multiple intersecting barriers preventing them from furthering their education or working in an industry they are passionate about. We want to change that narrative.
True Cadence, therefore, serves as a bridge connecting young people with the music industry. In our programmes, aspiring music professionals will have access to uncapped music industry knowledge by learning directly from experienced industry pros and music management lecturers from UK universities. Music is a business, and like any other industry, there are insider tips and secrets needed to succeed. These are what we expose the young ones to.
What we are striving for is to create a level playing field for our young ones who feel locked out of the same opportunities other privileged individuals may have. We believe talent and hard work should be the key to success in the music industry, not power and privileges.
Awards and recognition
Our Founder and Team have received numerous awards and recognitions, including:
- Prestige Award’s 2023/2024 Music NPO of the Year Award
- University of West London’s Alumni Recent Graduate Award 2023
- EY Foundation’s Positive Impact Award 2022
- Youth Music’s Inspirational Music Leader Award (Finalists) 2022
- Great British Entrepreneur Awards (Finalists) 2021
- London College of Music (LCM) Course Rep of The Year Leadership Award 2020
Testimonials
What People say about us
“I’ve witnessed some of the work that True Cadence has done with local young people. Their work on the ground is life-changing and needed now more than ever. I’m proud to support this incredible organisation”
“I am only the performer I am today because of True Cadence”
“It’s great to see an individual and organisation passionate about achieving impact that has data and evidence to back up what they say.”
“Thank you for hosting a student on work experience as part of EY Foundation’s Our Future programme. Manny’s passion and commitment for supporting young people is admirable and has made a positive impact on this student’s career prospects.”
“I really enjoyed my internship with True Cadence. It has made me realise that I definitely want to pursue blogging and journalism as possible careers in the future.”
“I have been a mentor to Manny, while he founded and developed True Cadence. In that time I have seen an extremely focused individual with the passion, skills and determination to make a difference in other people’s lives.”
“… Living in an overcrowded flat with no access to outside space or even my own room, I barely had space to think, let alone process my thoughts but True Cadence helped taught me about self-expression through music which resonated with me”