Music Ambassador programme 2025: Jury decision

• • 35 international travel projects receive grants – The jury has selected music entrepreneurs and musicians who will represent Berlin as a music location internationally.
  • Cooperation between the Berlin Music Commission and Musicboard Berlin continues
  • Goal: strengthen international visibility & sustainable networking

Berlin, 1 July 2025

The Berlin Music Commission ‘s Music Ambassador Programme is entering its next round – and thus remains a central funding instrument for the international visibility and networking of the Berlin music scene. Thanks to the cooperation with Musicboard Berlin, which was launched in 2024, the circle of participants has been expanded to include musicians and their teams.

A total of 35 travel projects will be supported that stand out for their international focus, sustainable collaborations and creative vision. The jury has nominated a diverse selection of musicians and players in the music industry who will represent Berlin as a centre of music worldwide. Participants will receive a grant towards their travel expenses during the project period. The trip must take place by 30 November 2025.

“The Music Ambassador Programme is a strategic tool for the internationalisation of Berlin’s music scene. It actively fosters new partnerships, supports sustainable networks, and brings Berlin perspectives into global contexts. In doing so, it directly contributes to the core mission of BMC: strengthening the international visibility and future viability of Berlin’s music industry.” – Olaf Kretschmar, CEO Berlin Music Commission eG

For eleven years, the Berlin Music Commission’s Music Ambassador Programme has been specifically supporting artists seeking international exchange – be it through conference trips, strategic collaborations or the initiation of new partnerships.

“Through this collaboration, we are strengthening the international presence of Berlin-based music creators. The Music Ambassador Programme offers them the opportunity to explore new markets, build global networks, and strategically advance their careers. We are very pleased to once again partner with BMC to provide travel funding – not only for artists but also for their teams, such as managers and bookers – helping to showcase the diversity and innovative strength of Berlin’s music scene on a global stage.” – Marie von der Heydt, Managing Director of Musicboard Berlin GmbH

 

The following 22 companies and players in the music industry will receive a travel grant:

• Adyam Tesfamariam (Pastiche): Dorset, UK – We Out Here Festival
• Alexander Brechow (The Heart.Work GmbH): Rabat, Marokko – Visa For Music 2025, Musikmesse und Networking
• Amande Dagod (A-Okay): Paris (FR) – Pitchfork Paris + Pitchfork Avant-Garde
• Arican Kozanoglu (Kudur): London, UK – Notting Hill Carnival, networking
• Jan Rohlf (DISK, CTM Festival): Seoul, Korea – WeSa Festival, Collaboration & research trip
• Janos Gülker (pøj pøj): London, UK – International Festival Forum (IFF)
• Julie Karmark Jensen (Sonic Odyssey Booking): Tampere, Finnland – WOMEX
• Jumoke Adeyanju (Poetry Meets): Lagos, Nigeria und Accra, Ghana – Research and organisation of networking events
• Kotoe Karasawa (Bachstelzen): Dahab, Ägypten – Chill O’posite Festival
• Lukas Balmer (silent green): Utrecht, Niederlande – Le Guess Who?
• Melissa Perales (Music Pool Berlin): Tampere, Finnland – WOMEX
• Natalie Padabed (More Zvukov Agency): Bali Indonesia – AXEAN Music Conference & Showcase Festival
• Nicole Beck (Digital in Berlin/Kiezsalon): Kraków, Polen – Unsound Festival
• Nikol Marinkova (Aurale Agency): Sofia, Bulgarien – SoAlive Music Conference
• Nour Nouralla (SAHRA): Tampere, Finnland – WOMEX
• Pamela Owusu-Brenyah (Afro x Pop |Kuration, Booking, Artist Support): London, UK – International Festival Forum (IFF)
• Riccardo Biondetti (SWAMP Booking): Utrecht, Niederlande – Le Guess Who?
• Simon Alter (Handshake Booking): Bari, Italien – European Jazz Conference
• Sofia Surgutschowa (Zafraan Ensemble): Tampere, Finnland – WOMEX
• Stephan Wittrin (Quest Agency): Shanghai (China); Seoul (Südkorea); Bangkok (Thailand); Singapur – Acquisition and maintenance of customer contacts
• Yannis Trouinard (Festival für selbstgebaute Musik, LARK & Fitzroy) Marseille, Frankreich – Festival des Suds, Preparation of an artist residency
• Ziad Fayed (AL.Berlin): Beirut, Libanon – Networking and talent-scouting

 

The following 13 travel projects by Artists & Teams will receive grants as part of the cooperation with Musicboard Berlin:

• Alexandra Ivanova: Denpasar, Indonesien – Künstlerische Recherche Insitu Network
• BASTI: Larvik, Norwegen – Songwriting-Camp Songwriters Exclusive
• Cate Hops: Tallinn, Estland – Künstlerresidenz CopperlegArt residency with artist Fra Zedde
• Cherry Bandora: Tel Aviv, Israel – Research and initiation of artistic collaborations
• Dornika: New York City, USA – Professionelle Kollaboration, Showcases und Networking
• Eilis Frawley + Anita Richelli (Brighter Agency): Belgrad, Serbien – Changeover Festival
• Ennio + HAMY (BUTO BAYANG): Tokio (Japan), Shanghai, Chengdu, Peking (China), Ho-Chi-Minh-Stadt, Hanoi (Vietnam), Bangkok (Thailand), Singapur, Bali (Indonesien) – Research, documentary content, networking
• Faravaz: Tampere, Finnland – WOMEX
• JahPaz7: London, UK – Networking and contact acquisition
• Jamila & The Other Heroes (Jamila Al-Yousef) + Jozef Halmen (F-Cat Booking): Tampere, Finland – WOMEX
• Linda Stark: Durbuy Belgien – Songwriting-Camp and networking
• Nikolay Mohr: Seoul, Süd-Korea – Songwriting & initiation of artistic collaboration
• Tabeia: Paris, Frankreich – MaMA Music & Convention Festival

 

Jury Music Ambassador Programm 2025

Anna Groß | SPRINGSTOFF
Antonio Cárdenas | Heartfelt Management
Marit Posch | GERMAN BULLDOZER, colorburst records