Free Artist Development Series | May–December 2025

In the Streets, Industry.

Take who you are, what you do, and who you do it for and arm it with the knowledge & understanding to advance your dreams.

Industry, In the streets.

Build the Career. Learn the Business. Move with Strategy.

“Mastering the Secrets of the Game” is a free monthly workshop series hosted by Mvstercamp in partnership with The Thompson Rose Agency.
From branding to business, each session gives Musicians and creatives the tools to build a career that lasts—right here at home.

Schedule

  • Before you master the art, you must master the business.
    This session is the foundation—teaching artists how to protect their work, get paid, and understand industry contracts. We’ll break down:

    • Copyright & PRO Registration – Why registering your music with BMI, ASCAP, or SESAC matters.

    • MLC & SoundExchange Registration – Collecting all royalties due to you.

    • Publishing Deals – Should you stay independent or sign a deal?

    • Contracts – Understanding what you sign before you sign it.

    Mvstercamp is about ownership. You can’t be a boss in this game if you don’t know how to handle your business.

  • Money makes the music move. If you don’t control your finances, they’ll control you.
    This session is about building financial literacy as an artist, covering:

    • Setting a Budget – The key to running your career like a business.

    • Taxes & PRO Income – What money is owed to you, and how to track it.

    • Tour Accounting – Planning costs so you don’t go broke on the road.

    • Endorsements – Turning your brand into a revenue stream.

    Mvstercamp is here to turn artists into entrepreneurs. Learn to manage your money so you can keep making music.

  • Creating music is one thing. Making money from it is another.
    We’re diving deep into how artists actually make money in today’s digital landscape:

    • Setting Up SoundScan – Tracking your sales and chart performance.

    • Mediabase & Digital Income – Getting credit (and royalties) from radio and streaming.

    • Synchronization (TV & Film Placement) – How to get your music in movies, shows, and ads.

    • Sample Clearances – Avoiding legal nightmares when using samples.

    Mvstercamp is about teaching artists to monetize their craft so they can build wealth, not just streams.

  • The stage is where careers are made or broken. Are you ready?
    Touring is where artists connect with fans, build their brand, and secure long-term success. This class covers:

    • Tour Marketing – Selling tickets and making people show up.

    • Riders (Tech & Hospitality) – What artists need backstage and on stage.

    • Day Sheets & Checklists – Running a smooth tour like a pro.

    • Settlement Sheets – Knowing where your tour money goes.

    Mvstercamp is about putting artists in control of their live shows—because performing isn’t just about music, it’s about business.


  • What do people say about you when you’re not in the room?
    Your brand is your power, and this session is about crafting an identity that lasts:

    • Branding Strategies – How to stand out in a crowded industry.

    • One Sheets – The professional resume every artist needs.

    • Publicists & Stylists – The people who shape your public image.

    • Merchandising – Turning fans into supporters (and buyers).

    Mvstercamp is here to help artists move with intention—so the world sees you how you want to be seen.

  • An artist’s voice is more than just music—it’s their 

    presence in the industry.
    This session will help artists navigate media, interviews, and social media like pros:

    • Interviewing Tips & Mock Interviews – How to control the narrative.

    • Photo Shoot & Video Requirements – What press and brands expect.

    • Social Media Presence – Standing out without selling out.

    • Working with Publicists – Getting the right press for your brand.

    Mvstercamp helps artists craft their public persona so they can attract opportunities, not just chase them.

  • Your music is your product. Are you maximizing its value?
    We break down every income stream artists should be tapping into:

    • Digital & Streaming Income – Where the money comes from.

    • PRO & SoundExchange Royalties – How to collect every dollar.

    • Sync Licensing & TV/Film Placement – Making money beyond streaming.

    • Merchandising & Fan Engagement – Turning supporters into investors.

    Mvstercamp is here to help artists stop leaving money on the table.

  • Success isn’t just about talent—it’s about connections.
    We’re closing the series with a blueprint for long-term career success:

    • Connecting with Industry Professionals – How to build real relationships.

    • Working with Managers, Agents, & Labels – Knowing when (and how) to level up.

    • Building a Long-Term Music Career – Strategies for longevity.

    • Understanding Settlement & Deal Terms – Knowing what’s in your contracts.

    Mvstercamp isn’t just teaching artists how to survive—we’re giving them the tools to thrive

Vanita Thompson - Program Director

“Many talented artists struggle not because of their music, but because they lack the industry knowledge to manage their careers effectively.”

This Series Is For You If You’re…

  • An independent artist ready to grow

  • Producer or creative learning the business side

  • Aspiring Music Industry Professional

  • Looking to master the “secrets” of the game.

We’re proud to be featured by STLMADE, a platform dedicated to showcasing the vibrant folks and strokes of culture in Saint Louis.

Check out their spotlight on our founder Mvstermind and Mvstercamp and how we’re building something for the city, by the city.

Supported by Regional Arts Commission & APRA For the Arts

We’re grateful to be supported by the Regional Arts Commission (RAC) and APRA For the Arts, whose investment in our local creative ecosystem has directly contributed to the success of this program and others like it.

MVSTERCAMP ALUMNI

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Support the Mission

At Mvstercamp, we’re building more than workshops—we're building infrastructure for creative independence. Your support helps us continue to provide space, tools, resources, knowledge, and opportunities for Saint Louis musicians and creatives.

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