Women in Music: Top Masterclasses

In celebration of all women in the music industry, we have compiled a list of some of the best female-led masterclasses BIMM has hosted over the last few years. Each of these inspirational women have built their careers on their own terms and had a wealth of experience and knowledge to impart to our students. Enjoy!

Imogen Heap

Grammy and Ivor Novello award-winning artist and producer Imogen Heap visited BIMM Bristol to talk in-depth about how she first started out in the industry, her creative process and how she built her own recording studio from scratch. She even went on to explain how she’s blazing a trail for musicians and artists with Blockchain – a revolutionary digital currency which allows for easier transactions for freelancers.

Lianne La Havas

Having been nominated for a Grammy, a Mercury Music prize, a Brit and an Ivor Novello award, Lianne La Havas’ songwriting credentials put her miles ahead of her peers. She visited BIMM Bristol in the midst of some serious hype surrounding the release of her sophomore LP “Blood”. During the masterclass, Lianne spoke of what inspired her to first pick up a guitar, her collaborations with songwriters and producers like Matt Hales and Paul Epworth and how she has learned to survive in the music industry.

Jo Whiley

Jo paid a visit to BIMM London to give a brilliant masterclass as one of BBC radio’s longest serving female DJ’s. She gave tips on how to critically observe your peers and idols in order to improve your stagecraft and told some great stories of working with world famous musicians such as Jay Z.

Laura Mvula

Birmingham songstress Laura Mvula’s Masterclass at BIMM Brighton showcased key aspects of the MOBO Award-winner’s career, including how she started out by studying a music degree at a conservatoire in Birmingham. She told the audience how she gained incredible inspiration from Prince, who championed her work early on and how she’s learned to come to terms and deal with stage fright and anxiety.

KT Tunstall

Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall launched her career in 2004 with the release of her debut LP, “Eye To The Telescope”. Since then, she’s been nominated for a Mercury Music Prize, has become a Brit and Ivor Novello award winner and has even diversified into writing music for film. She spoke candidly about her early days pursuing a career in music, her positive experiences on the busking scene in the U.S and her views on the current state of music education.

Divinity Roxx

Artists don’t come much bigger than Beyonce, and her touring bassist Divinity Roxx is an avid supporter of BIMM. She’s visited us numerous times to give Masterclasses and to welcome new students with performances and tips during our induction events. Here, she demonstrates her ability to rap rhymes and play bass at the same time as well as advising students on how to judge the good opportunities from the bad and (perhaps most importantly) how to think of themselves as business people as well as musicians.

Garbage

Shirley Manson is the enigmatic and powerful frontwoman to Brit Award and Grammy Award-nominated alternative rockers Garbage, whose career spans 25 years, 6 LP’s and numerous international tours. She was joined in a Masterclass at BIMM Manchester by her bandmates Butch Vig, Duke Erikson and Steve Marker and spoke of how she feels that now is the perfect time to be a strong outspoken woman in the music industry.