Monica Sanchez, a rising senior at UT Austin, wanted to work in the music industry, but she had no idea where to start. During her freshman year, she met a recording artist named Jennun at the Bonita Project, a Latina-only networking event.
“I would go to her events, film her, do some graphics,” Sanchez said. “She was my first internship, basically.”
Jennun — who blends Latin, pop, rap and house music — encouraged Sanchez to sign up for Grammy U, a program that helps young people navigate the music industry.
Launched in 2006 by the Recording Academy, Grammy U offers mentorships and other opportunities to help kick-start a music career. Members get access to networking events and exclusive invitations to watch professional musicians rehearse. It’s open to people aged 18-29 and costs $50 to join.
The Texas chapter is hosting a members-only panel this month called Women in the Mix to discuss how to build a career in the industry. Sanchez said her favorite experience has been going to these types of member events where she gets to meet artists, business people and managers.
“It’s truly just a free-for-all,” she said, “and it’s your job to network and try to acquaint yourself.”
She said she now has more clarity about her career options.
“If I didn’t join Grammy U … and if I never met Jennun, I would have had none of the internships I currently have now,” said Sanchez, who has worked with KUTX, the Austin record label Spaceflight Records and the music technology company Prosper XO.
Grammy U grows
Jessie Allen is the managing director of Grammy U and oversees the membership program. She became a member as a freshman in college when Grammy U first started in 2006.
“It was really amazing to dream and build during that time,” she said, “to learn the ropes.”
Since it first launched, Grammy U has grown to over 9,100 members worldwide. Under Allen’s leadership, the organization developed virtual events, national programs and an annual summit.
“It’s just been great to see the scale of it,” she said.
Grammy U also offers a mentorship program, which pairs members with established people in the music industry. They meet at least three times in person or virtually throughout the six-month program, with guidance and workshops from the Recording Academy.
Tom Gilbert for The Recording Academy
Avi Minkoff, the senior manager of the Texas chapter of Grammy U, is responsible for creating events, networking opportunities and educational panels for the state’s 1,500 Grammy U members.
Support for the next generation
Avi Minkoff is the senior manager of the Texas chapter of Grammy U. He’s responsible for creating engagement opportunities for the state’s 1,500 members.
He said being part of a support system for people who want to get into the industry is gratifying.
“[I enjoy] being able to lift up the music community and also foster that next generation of the music community to be able to succeed,” he said, “[to] make sure that music as a whole stays an indelible part of our society.”
Although Sanchez isn’t exactly sure what she wants to do, she is certain about one thing after joining Grammy U.
“I’m a music industry girl,” she said, “[and] I’m here to stay.”
Porshea Goins is a summer 2026 intern with Texas Standard.