A vital new initiative, the Electronic Music Executive Stress Management Programme, was officially unveiled today, April 23rd, at the International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza. This comprehensive six-month therapeutic course aims to bolster the mental wellbeing and career longevity of entry to mid-level dance music professionals, a demographic frequently susceptible to the unique pressures of the industry. The program is generously sponsored by Maria May, a distinguished agent at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), renowned for her work with global artists such as David Guetta, Sara Landry, and Robin Schulz.<\/p>\n
Addressing the Industry’s Mental Health Imperative<\/strong><\/p>\n The launch of the Electronic Music Executive Stress Management Programme comes at a critical juncture, as increasing evidence highlights the pervasive mental health challenges within the music industry. The course has been meticulously developed in collaboration with the Music Industry Therapist Collective (MITC), with significant contributions from MITC\u2019s operations director Laura Newton and prominent music industry therapist Tamsin Embleton. Embleton is the acclaimed author of the 2023 publication, "Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual," a seminal work that underscored the severe psychological toll touring and industry demands can take on professionals.<\/p>\n The program’s core objective is multifaceted: to proactively mitigate the risk of burnout and to cultivate long-term career sustainability for individuals navigating the often-turbulent waters of the electronic music sector. The target demographic is broadly defined, encompassing burgeoning agents and managers, as well as emerging artists who are at pivotal stages in their careers. These roles, while exciting, are frequently characterized by intense competition, irregular hours, constant travel, and immense performance pressure, all of which contribute significantly to elevated stress levels.<\/p>\n For its inaugural run, the program will extend fully funded support to five carefully selected recipients. The selection process is rigorous, evaluating candidates based on their eligibility, demonstrated readiness for therapeutic intervention, and overall suitability for the intensive program structure. Those chosen will benefit from an unparalleled suite of resources designed to equip them with robust coping mechanisms and resilience strategies. This includes personalized one-on-one performance coaching sessions with renowned performance psychologist Stu Holliday, alongside four months of dedicated psychotherapy with a specialist music industry therapist. This tailored therapeutic approach ensures that the unique stressors of the music world are understood and addressed by professionals with specific expertise in the field.<\/p>\n Beyond individual therapy, the program incorporates a series of specialized workshops curated by MITC, covering essential topics such as building resilience, optimizing sleep hygiene, and practicing mindfulness \u2013 all critical components for maintaining mental equilibrium in a demanding environment. Participants will also receive vedic meditation training from Blaise DeAngelo, former general manager of Skrillex\u2019s influential OWSLA label, offering a powerful tool for stress reduction and mental clarity. Capping off this comprehensive support system, Maria May herself will lead one-on-one mentoring sessions, drawing upon her extensive experience to guide and inspire the recipients.<\/p>\n Maria May articulated her motivation for spearheading this initiative, emphasizing her belief in nurturing talent. "I don’t think it takes very much, in terms of time and effort, to help people become stronger, fitter and more able to sustain quite a hectic career if they take some time or are supported to focus on these matters when they need it," she conveyed to DJ Mag, highlighting a proactive rather than reactive approach to mental health within the industry. Her vision is rooted in a desire to retain talented individuals within the electronic music ecosystem by providing them with the necessary tools to thrive amidst adversity.<\/p>\n The Stark Reality of Mental Health in Music<\/strong><\/p>\n The necessity of programs like the Electronic Music Executive Stress Management Programme is underscored by compelling statistical data. A groundbreaking 2025 study revealed that music industry professionals grapple with significantly higher-than-average rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and emotional exhaustion compared to the general population. This scientific validation corroborates anecdotal evidence and calls for urgent, systemic interventions.<\/p>\n Further illustrating this crisis, the 2023 Musicians’ Mental Wellbeing Report brought to light that a staggering one-third of all musicians experience negative mental wellbeing. This alarming figure escalates dramatically within marginalized communities, with 43% of LGBTQIA+ musicians and an even higher 49% of disabled musicians reporting adverse mental health conditions. These disparities highlight the intersectional challenges faced by individuals within the industry and emphasize the need for inclusive and targeted support.<\/p>\n The demanding nature of a career in music often involves irregular and unsociable hours, constant travel and separation from support networks, financial precarity, intense public scrutiny, and a culture that can sometimes normalize substance misuse as a coping mechanism. The relentless pressure to create, perform, and maintain a public profile, coupled with the highly competitive landscape, creates a perfect storm for psychological distress. May, drawing from over three decades of firsthand experience in dance music, deeply understands these inherent pressures. "The pressure and the competitiveness of the business," she observed, "can take its toll on mental health. I mean, you know that in the middle, in order to do well, you have to work extremely hard, and it’s relentless." This profound insight into the industry’s demanding environment makes her advocacy particularly impactful.<\/p>\n Maria May: A Champion of Sustainability and Wellbeing<\/strong><\/p>\n Maria May’s career trajectory is a testament to her deep understanding and enduring commitment to the electronic music industry. Last year, she made history as the first woman and the youngest recipient of the prestigious IMS Legends Award, a recognition of her "outstanding contribution to electronic music culture." This accolade underscores her significant influence and pioneering spirit within a male-dominated field.<\/p>\n May’s journey in the music industry commenced over 30 years ago, providing her with a unique perspective on its evolution and its enduring challenges. She began her career supporting the Levellers during their campaign against the controversial 1994 Criminal Justice Act, witnessing firsthand the transition of underground anarcho-punks into Glastonbury headliners. This formative experience instilled in her an acute awareness of the ‘relentless’ nature of touring life and the dedication required to navigate the industry’s political and practical landscapes.<\/p>\n By her early twenties, May had already established herself as a music agent at International Talent Booking (ITB). Her strategic acumen and foresight led her to join Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in 2012, where she played a pivotal role in expanding the agency\u2019s footprint into the burgeoning dance music scene. Throughout her illustrious career, May has been an unwavering advocate for women in dance music, serving as a respected board member for the music platform and record label Lady of the House. Her commitment extends to broader industry welfare, as evidenced by her role on the advisory board for the Frankie Knuckles Foundation (FKF), an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the "Godfather of House Music" and supporting music education and community initiatives. Her deep-seated empathy and commitment to fostering a healthier industry are evident in her current initiative.<\/p>\n Evolving Attitudes and Industry-Wide Progress<\/strong><\/p>\n May reflected on the significant, albeit gradual, shift in societal and industry attitudes towards mental health since her early days immersed in the UK\u2019s vibrant rave scene. She noted a distinct generational difference, observing, "I think, certainly, the new generation of artists definitely focus on these matters way more than ever." This new guard appears more willing to openly discuss and address mental health concerns, signaling a departure from previous eras where such discussions were often stigmatized.<\/p>\n However, May also acknowledged that, particularly within the UK, self-advocacy around mental health has historically been met with skepticism or even disapproval. While progress has been made, she emphasized that there remains a considerable journey ahead before mental health support becomes universally accepted and integrated into the industry’s operational fabric. Drawing a parallel, she pointed out that in the film industry, the presence of a welfare officer on set is now increasingly commonplace \u2013 a model that the music industry could aspire to emulate.<\/p>\n Indeed, strides are being made across the sector to normalize mental health conversations and enhance the availability of support resources. Notable figures and organizations are actively contributing to this paradigm shift. For instance, legendary DJ Fatboy Slim has been personally funding DJ workshops as part of a mental health program in collaboration with Sussex Partnership NHS Trust\u2019s Charity Heads On, demonstrating a direct and tangible commitment to community wellbeing. Similarly, iconic band New Order has leveraged its platform by releasing merchandise to generate funds for CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a leading mental health charity. In a significant collective effort in 2024, a consortium of UK-based music industry organizations formally pledged increased mental health support by signing up to the ‘Allies initiative,’ spearheaded by the dedicated mental health charity Music Minds Matter. These initiatives collectively paint a picture of an industry slowly but surely recognizing its responsibility towards the holistic wellbeing of its workforce.<\/p>\n A Vision for a Healthier Future<\/strong><\/p>\n Ultimately, Maria May\u2019s aspiration extends beyond the immediate impact of this program. She envisions a future where "wellness enters music\u2019s everyday vernacular," where mental health is accorded the same gravity and importance as physical fitness. Her hope is that the Electronic Music Executive Stress Management Programme will serve as a powerful precedent, inspiring other industry leaders, agencies, and organizations to dedicate time, resources, and strategic investment into the care and support of their workforces.<\/p>\n May articulated her leadership philosophy, stating, "I’ve always been someone who’s followed a matriarchal model, which is a circle, and it’s all about making people thrive and supporting each other to do better." This collaborative, nurturing approach stands in contrast to often hierarchical and fiercely competitive structures, suggesting a more sustainable and humane path forward for the industry. "So this is just another piece in that kind of thing, to be able to see if we can do something like this, that will inspire people in their organisations," she concluded, underscoring the program’s potential as a catalyst for broader cultural change.<\/p>\n The Electronic Music Executive Stress Management Programme represents a significant step towards creating a more supportive and sustainable environment for professionals in the dance music industry. By providing targeted therapeutic interventions and fostering a culture of care, it seeks to empower individuals to navigate the inherent challenges of their careers with greater resilience and wellbeing.<\/p>\n Applications for the Electronic Music Executive Stress Management Programme are now open and can be submitted via the MITC website (www.musicindustrytherapists.com\/music-executive-stress-management-programme\/). The application window will close on June 1st. Following this, interviews and comprehensive assessments will be conducted throughout June and July, with the inaugural program officially commencing in September. This structured timeline ensures a thorough selection process and a well-prepared launch for the participants.<\/p>\n For those interested in exploring further insights into the relationship between music and mental health, DJ Mag\u2019s 2023 feature exploring ambient music and mental health offers additional context and perspectives. This new program is a testament to the evolving recognition that a healthy industry is built upon a healthy workforce.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A vital new initiative, the Electronic Music Executive Stress Management Programme, was officially unveiled today, April 23rd, at the International Music Summit (IMS) in Ibiza. This comprehensive six-month therapeutic course…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":8029,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[547],"tags":[1045,118,88,41,284,90,58,68,3651,89,5390],"class_list":["post-8030","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-electronic-edm-club-culture","tag-course","tag-dance","tag-edm","tag-electronic","tag-free","tag-house","tag-launches","tag-music","tag-professionals","tag-techno","tag-therapeutic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8030","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8030"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8030\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8030"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8030"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/empire-music.net\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8030"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}