ArtistDirect News
UC Theatre Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Concert Career Pathways Program with Mayor Adena Ishii Proclamation
On June 26, 2026, the UC Theatre’s Taube Family Music Hall rang with applause as the 10th cohort of its Concert Career Pathways (CCP) program walked the stage. Mayor Adena Ishii capped the ceremony with a proclamation that honored both the theatre’s decade‑long history and the CCP’s ten‑year legacy of shaping the local music industry.
The CCP is a tuition‑free, nine‑month workforce‑development program designed for young people aged 17 to 25. Program data show that 77 % of its graduates identify as BIPOC, and 80 % land career‑track employment within three to six months of graduation. The curriculum blends hands‑on workshops—covering talent scouting, lighting, sound design, marketing, venue production, front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house operations—with a paid internship in the program’s second half. Interns can work at the UC Theatre or partner venues such as Ninth Street Opus, an independent record label based in Berkeley.
David Mayeri, the founder of the nonprofit that runs the CCP, began his career in the live‑music sector as a teenager. He later helped convert the former movie theatre into a live‑music venue a decade ago, a transformation that led to the theatre’s reopening in 2016. "I wanted to create a level playing field like I had when I was in high school," Mayeri said. "I emphasize that the industry is often about who you know, so the program focuses on networking and real‑world experience. It’s all based on the nuanced insights of one of the best practices of doing any job: that you learn by doing," he added.
Beyond technical training, the CCP’s support ecosystem addresses the barriers that can derail young talent. Marcello Magaña, director of education and community development, stresses that "it’s not just the job they need." He highlights services that tackle mental‑health, childcare, and other obstacles that can prevent graduates from maintaining employment. The CCP’s partner network includes industry connections and social‑support services designed to keep students stable while they pursue careers.
Alumni echoed the program’s impact. Sharleen Jove Esico, a former cohort member, said the CCP "helped her find her professional identity due to its balance of leading students with love while also creating a realistic environment where they learn what it takes to make it in the industry." Jayden Davis, who celebrated his graduation with family in the theatre’s chandelier‑lit hall, described the experience as "very eye‑opening" and expressed excitement about applying what he learned.
During the ceremony, alumni highlighted recent achievements. Nicholas Soriano Smith noted that "four days ago I mixed audio in the arena at the Chase Center for the first time." He also mentioned working on a documentary about Cleve Jones, the AIDS Memorial Quilt founder. Glenna Harris, a participant in the BMG Presents track, said she had learned how to spot rising talent and that "I can bring all of the knowledge that I gained from here forward in whatever I do next."
The UC Theatre itself has a storied history. Originally opened in 1917 as a movie theatre, it closed in 2001 and was renovated into a live‑music venue in 2016. The 1,400‑seat hall has hosted acts such as Green Day, Kehlani, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan, among many others. The theatre operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funded by ticket sales and donations, and serves as a hub for community‑focused music education.
The CCP’s graduation and the mayor’s proclamation underscore the program’s role in diversifying the live‑music workforce and providing a structured pathway for underrepresented youth. The program’s success metrics—high BIPOC representation and rapid employment—demonstrate the effectiveness of hands‑on, network‑building education in the music industry.
As the UC Theatre celebrates a decade of operation and the CCP’s 10th cohort, the program continues to expand its reach, adding new partners and refining its curriculum to meet the evolving needs of the live‑music sector.
The CCP is a tuition‑free, nine‑month workforce‑development program designed for young people aged 17 to 25. Program data show that 77 % of its graduates identify as BIPOC, and 80 % land career‑track employment within three to six months of graduation. The curriculum blends hands‑on workshops—covering talent scouting, lighting, sound design, marketing, venue production, front‑of‑house and back‑of‑house operations—with a paid internship in the program’s second half. Interns can work at the UC Theatre or partner venues such as Ninth Street Opus, an independent record label based in Berkeley.
David Mayeri, the founder of the nonprofit that runs the CCP, began his career in the live‑music sector as a teenager. He later helped convert the former movie theatre into a live‑music venue a decade ago, a transformation that led to the theatre’s reopening in 2016. "I wanted to create a level playing field like I had when I was in high school," Mayeri said. "I emphasize that the industry is often about who you know, so the program focuses on networking and real‑world experience. It’s all based on the nuanced insights of one of the best practices of doing any job: that you learn by doing," he added.
Beyond technical training, the CCP’s support ecosystem addresses the barriers that can derail young talent. Marcello Magaña, director of education and community development, stresses that "it’s not just the job they need." He highlights services that tackle mental‑health, childcare, and other obstacles that can prevent graduates from maintaining employment. The CCP’s partner network includes industry connections and social‑support services designed to keep students stable while they pursue careers.
Alumni echoed the program’s impact. Sharleen Jove Esico, a former cohort member, said the CCP "helped her find her professional identity due to its balance of leading students with love while also creating a realistic environment where they learn what it takes to make it in the industry." Jayden Davis, who celebrated his graduation with family in the theatre’s chandelier‑lit hall, described the experience as "very eye‑opening" and expressed excitement about applying what he learned.
During the ceremony, alumni highlighted recent achievements. Nicholas Soriano Smith noted that "four days ago I mixed audio in the arena at the Chase Center for the first time." He also mentioned working on a documentary about Cleve Jones, the AIDS Memorial Quilt founder. Glenna Harris, a participant in the BMG Presents track, said she had learned how to spot rising talent and that "I can bring all of the knowledge that I gained from here forward in whatever I do next."
The UC Theatre itself has a storied history. Originally opened in 1917 as a movie theatre, it closed in 2001 and was renovated into a live‑music venue in 2016. The 1,400‑seat hall has hosted acts such as Green Day, Kehlani, Sabrina Carpenter, and Chappell Roan, among many others. The theatre operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, funded by ticket sales and donations, and serves as a hub for community‑focused music education.
The CCP’s graduation and the mayor’s proclamation underscore the program’s role in diversifying the live‑music workforce and providing a structured pathway for underrepresented youth. The program’s success metrics—high BIPOC representation and rapid employment—demonstrate the effectiveness of hands‑on, network‑building education in the music industry.
As the UC Theatre celebrates a decade of operation and the CCP’s 10th cohort, the program continues to expand its reach, adding new partners and refining its curriculum to meet the evolving needs of the live‑music sector.