Making a Pitch: Sharing a Story and Creating a Mutual Journey

Today, I have a meeting with a flamenco school in Seville to discuss a partnership opportunity with a budding non-profit organization I have been building. The idea is most akin to a music-focused study abroad program, where highly musically skilled students of financial need will be able to win grants for global music programs in flamenco, Brazilian music (samba, choro), and Indian classical music (Hindustani, Carnatic), as starting points.

I am excited to share my pitch — part story, part sales, part call to action. I want to acknowledge their great work as a staple in the culture of flamenco music, which I benefitted from after taking one of their courses. My goal is to highlight our shared values and emphasize the importance of preserving this music and how powerfully it can benefit people's lives. This is the core of our mission — to allow those who wouldn't otherwise have access to learn from these cultures and bring that knowledge back to their communities, spreading the cultural influence and potency of these arts.

I am looking for partner schools — the first ones to become part of a larger network of sister schools where students can cross-pollinate through awareness and programming. My ask is simple: to work together as an initial partner that can help shape the foundation as it develops. At this point, that means only a few small things:

1. Permission for my foundation to use their logo on our website and declare them a partner.
2. A dedicated point of contact at the school for me and for prospective students.
3. Marketing our partnership on their website for wider exposure.
4. Reserving at least one space for a student in one of their music programs for 2025.

The next step would be signing an initial agreement that outlines and details these points.

What's in It for Them?

Ultimately, it would mean greater exposure for flamenco globally and a more diverse student body entering their program. Their school would gain increased visibility. Additionally, their students would learn about our programs in other countries — Brazil, India, etc. — and could apply for grants to study in those countries to learn their respective music traditions. Much like Paco de Lucia drew inspiration from Afro-Peruvian influences and other flamenco greats incorporated jazz vocabulary, we offer students the opportunity to learn and incorporate ideas from different musical traditions, further enriching the evolution of each genre.

Stepping Back

The outline in my mind is:

1. Sharing the story of the organization.
2. Learning more about their institution (available programs, application process, etc.).
3. Presenting the partnership opportunity.
4. Calling us to action on the next steps.

My pitch aims to bring us to the same page. I want my vision to become our vision.