MENTORSHIP Call out for young Musicians
La Linea presents its first-ever mentorship programme for young musicians of Latin heritage who are looking to deepen and strengthen their musical connection to their roots. A team of some of the UK’s top Latin musicians have come together to offer a unique opportunity: a series of one-to-one workshops where mentees can learn or improve their knowledge of traditional Latin music styles. Since “Latin music” is an umbrella term for a very wide range of musical genres and languages, this first season will focus on clave-based musics such as salsa, Cuban son, mambo and cha cha chá, and Latin Jazz based on these genres.
In this first edition, six mentorships will be awarded in the following areas:
Drums & Percussion
Mentor: Oscar Martínez
Bass
Mentor: Frank Portuondo
Vocals
Mentor: Yuri Moreno
Piano
Mentor: Kishon Khan
Trumpet, Saxophone, Trombone
Mentor: Eikel Venegas
Guitar, Tres
Mentor: John Carlos Ayarde
What Selected Mentees Will Receive
- Welcome Meeting – 19 February, 2–4pm
A group meeting with all mentors and mentees, including a listening session and historical introduction to Latin music by musician and PhD researcher Eliane Correa.
(London Venue TBC) - Four one-to-one sessions with your dedicated instrument mentor, arranged flexibly between 19 February and 4 May.
- Final Jam Session – 4 May, 2–6:30pm at Premises Studios, Hackney
An opportunity for all mentors and mentees to come together, rehearse, play, improvise and connect. - A pair of tickets to a La Linea show of your choice during the 2026 festival.
Eligibility
This programme is designed to support young musicians who wish to deepen their connection to Latin American musical traditions. Musicians of Latin American heritage are especially encouraged to apply, as the mentorship has been created with this community in mind.
We also particularly welcome applications from FLINTA and global majority musicians, in recognition of the structural inequities in the music industry.
However, the programme is open to all, and no applicant will be excluded on the basis of background or identity.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be between 18-30 years of age.
- Be London-based or able to travel to London for all in-person sessions
- Be available on 19 February (2–4pm) and 4 May (2–6:30pm)
- Have reasonable availability between 19 February and 4 May 2026 for one-to-one mentor sessions
- Be able to provide a short written statement and a link showing you playing your instrument
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through our online application form.
You will be asked to submit:
- A video of you playing your instrument (this can be shared via socials, any online link, or uploaded directly — the form will give all options)
- A short paragraph about yourself and why you would like to be a mentee
All applications will be reviewed by Eliane Correa and the programme mentors.
Key Dates
- Call-out opens: 2 December 2025
- Call-out closes: 15 January 2026 at midnight
- Programme runs: 19 February – 4 May 2026
Deadline for submissions: 15 January 2026 at midnight
*Applications will only be considered through the official form.
**We encourage reading through the call-out as thorough as possible before emailing, as the call-out has answers to most frequently asked questions.
To be considered for La Linea Festival 2026, please submit the following through our online form:
A short Biography
Introduce yourself or your band, detailing your background, musical influences, and key achievements. Max. 200 words.
Music sample or link
Provide a sample of your music, either through a digital file or a link to your latest release (e.g., Spotify, YouTube, Bandcamp, etc.).
Live Performance
A short video or audio clip showcasing your performance.
Contact Details
We will ask for your email address, phone number, and any social media handles or websites where we can learn more about your work.
