New York City’s Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), City University of New York's Creative Arts Team (CAT), and NY is Music have partnered to address gender inequity in the music industry. Together, the coalition of music industry leaders has founded Sound Thinking NYC, a new education and career path program for young women in High School.

The free program focuses on providing young women more access to careers in the music industry where women are under-represented. "We are thrilled to expand our commitment to gender equity in the entertainment fields with this innovative program for women thinking about careers in music," said Media and Entertainment Commissioner Julie Menin.

Sound Thinking NYC’s first Summer Intensive runs through 7/27 and is a three-week camp for students entering 11th and 12th grade, focusing on audio technology, engineering, and sound recording. The curriculum includes hands-on recording workshops using Pro Tools, visiting music studios, leadership skill-building sessions and discussions with professional women in the industry. Menin adds, “The music business is booming in New York City and we want to ensure young women have the access and training they need to enter it.”

All graduates of the summer program will be invited to participate in a series of professional events during the school year and apply for paid summer internships as well as apply to take free college credit courses at CUNY. The first group includes 42 students from 35 schools across all five boroughs, eventually having 250 students participate. Admission is open to both young men and women.