The A&R Foundation’s free music coaching program offers 1-on-1 artist business support and mentorship at no charge. Because every creative journey is different, our guidance is tailored to your needs. Through personal sessions with experienced mentors, you will gain clear skills that drive growth and sustainability. In addition, our team focuses on simple tools that help you plan, market, and operate with confidence. Our free music coaching program empowers Austin creatives with actionable strategies and industry know-how.
To learn more about us, visit our homepage: https://theanrfoundation.org/.
Key Program Components
- Structured coaching sessions covering core topics such as business planning, financial literacy, operations, and sustainability.
- Access to industry mentors for specialized, practical guidance.
- Tools and templates for goal setting, business planning, and marketing strategies.
Who Can Apply
We invite applications from individuals who meet the following criteria:
We welcome Austin, TX creatives across many fields. For example, this includes digital and physical artists, musicians and bands, producers, studios, venue owners, and event planners. It also includes other businesses that support the local creative community.
Meet Our Free Music Coaching Team
Austin Breckenridge
Executive Director
Austin Breckenridge
Austin Breckenridge is the co-founder and Executive Director of The A&R Foundation. He began his music career at 17, booking live events in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2010, he founded Nemesis Media Inc., an independent label for emerging Bay Area artists. Under his leadership, the label released 10 albums and produced two local festivals. It expanded to Austin, TX in 2012, where he served as CEO until its exit in 2015. Over his 17-year career, Austin has worked as an artist manager, tour manager, business manager, and event producer.
Since 2015, Austin has worked in finance across Texas. His roles include small business banking, commercial banking, community development, and business advising. As a result, he bridges creative and analytical business approaches.
Robert S. Austin
Program Director
Robert S. Austin
Robert S. Austin is a co-founder and Program Director at The A&R Foundation. He entered the South Bay, CA music scene in 2006 as a community-focused metal vocalist. Soon after, he and his bandmates learned that success in music goes beyond writing and performing. Therefore, they encouraged fans to question everything and build real skills.
In 2008, Robert served as the Associated Student Government’s Director of Programs at West Valley College. For the next three years, he produced annual festivals and quarterly fundraising concerts. His aim was to build a campus community that supported local music. In addition, he influenced board members to fund more concerts and remodel the 40‑year‑old campus center for performance use.
During this period, he partnered with Austin Breckenridge on Pitch Black Records. That venture later became Nemesis Media, a San Jose independent label. Together, they produced festivals and managed album releases and tours in the Bay Area and Central Texas.
In 2012 and 2013, Robert served as a camp counselor for Silicon Valley FACES, a nonprofit focused on youth development, inclusive communities, and victim services for students.
In 2015, he partnered with artist manager Barb Rocks to launch the San Jose chapter of Balanced Breakfast. The group connected Bay Area music professionals through meetups, concerts, festivals, and summits. It also gave Robert and peers a platform to share knowledge on panels.
Robert now serves as a Global Program Director for Securitas, a security services and consulting group. He advises clients and oversees international programs. His favorite part of the role is empowering teams to lead with analysis and empathy.
Because of his experience on stage, on the road, and in the boardroom, Robert takes a dynamic approach at The A&R Foundation. He aims to shift the music industry mindset and put musicians first. In other words, he helps creatives believe in themselves as entrepreneurs and turn big dreams into clear, manageable goals.
Jeremy Boyum
Communications Director
Jeremy Boyum
Jeremy Boyum is a co-founder and Director of Communications at The A&R Foundation. He has 15 years in the music industry, primarily as a performing artist with internships at small music businesses. Jeremy often led sales and marketing efforts for his band Shadow of Whales. There, he learned to design simple, effective funnels that build strong relationships between bands and fans—and between businesses and clients. In addition, he has been active in groups such as Balanced Breakfast and has spoken on several panels.
Music Coaching Testimonials
Shannon Elder, Pietschhouse
“I exited the program on an entirely different level of business leadership!”
“I was able to transition to writing and performing full-time, and I successfully applied for a city grant, incorporated my band as an LLC, and started turning a profit.”
