Reduce the risk of burnout and build long-term career sustainability.
The Electronic Music Executive Stress Management Programme is a six-month pilot set to begin September 2026, developed by MITC in collaboration with leading electronic music agent Maria May (CAA) and designed to support entry- to mid-level professionals working in electronic music to reduce the risk of burnout and build long-term career sustainability.
This programme provides fully-funded support to five participants, including a 1:1 mentoring session with Maria May.
Why This Programme Was Created
Working in electronic music can be fast-paced, high-pressured, and rewarding. While burnout is sometimes worn as a badge of honour, evidence shows that chronic stress affects both emotional regulation and cognitive functioning.
Long hours, late nights, constant urgency, and the expectation to always be “on” can make it difficult to recover, think clearly, and sustain performance over time.
This programme is designed as a preventative intervention, supporting participants to:
- manage stress more effectively
- strengthen resilience
- improve decision-making under pressure
- build sustainable ways of working
“This industry is built on passion, but passion on its own is not always enough to protect people from pressure and overload. I wanted to support a programme that invests in professionals as whole people, helping them build careers that are ambitious, healthy and sustainable.” – Maria May
What’s Included
Participants will receive:
- 1:1 mentoring session with Maria May
- 6 weeks of 1:1 performance coaching with Stu Holliday
- 4 months of 1:1 psychotherapy with a specialist music industry therapist
- Expert-led workshops
- Vedic Meditation training with Blaise DeAngelo
- Complimentary access to Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual audiobook
“We designed this programme to support emerging professionals at a critical stage in their careers, helping them to develop life-long skills that will have far reaching personal and professional benefits.” – Laura Newton, MITC Director of Operations
Programme Details:
- Cohort size: 5 participants
- Duration: 6 months beginning September 2026
- Format: Hybrid (online with an in-person meditation training weekend in London)
The Clinical Team
Participants will be supported by mental health practitioners who combine psychological training with substantial industry experience:
Stu Holliday – Performance psychologist (Olympians, touring artists, high-level execs); former senior production lead at Electric Elephant
Howie Martinez – Psychotherapeutic Counsellor with extensive cross-sector experience in dance music
Matt Cantor – Integrative Psychotherapist and DJ/producer (Freestylers)
Rosalind Oliver – Psychotherapist and electronic/hip-hop music professional with extensive experience in Germany
Heather Finlay – Psychotherapist, formerly of Sainted PR, representing artists including Daft Punk and The Chemical Brothers
Interested in being considered?
This is a pilot cohort with an evaluation framework via interim surveys to inform future cohorts. To be considered for this programme, please complete the initial survey below.
Our team will complete interviews and qualifying assessments with all applicants during June and July and notify all accepted applicants by 31 July.