Cooler Clinics | Online Workshops

Improvised Music Company hosts free monthly Cooler Clinic CPD workshops, covering various topics relevant to the music industry. Early registration is recommended.

The March and April sessions will take place online. Read on for more details and to secure your spot.

March: Funding Focus

Date: 28 Mar 2025

Time: Talk 11am, consultations 12:30pm-2:00pm

Venue: Online

Tickets: Free Admission - Register here

With the upcoming Arts Council Agility Award deadline, there will be a focus on funding applications, with a chance to get tips and feedback on and discuss any applications you’re working on. You can use the one-to-one time to talk to the IMC team about any concerns you have around funding opportunities you’d like to apply for, such as to:

• Get another pair of eyes on any funding application for any mistakes or areas of possible misunderstanding.

• Get external perspective on the goals of any draft or prospective application for upcoming grants in relation to the award’s guidelines.

• Bring along any draft budgets to discuss the budgeting process and any questions you have, or work with us to create a budget structure you can use.

• Get feedback on or ideas for useful supporting documentation.

• If you don’t have a current opportunity in mind but are aiming to become more comfortable with the funding process overall, feel free to bring along a previous application, a previous draft, or even a starting idea to discuss. IMC is not a funding body, but having been a part of many applications over the years and can offer advice based on experience, and a fresh pair of eyes over text, budgets, or supporting documentation.

However, one-to-one conversations can be on any topic that’s concerning you at the minute, from touring to releasing music, so feel free to drop in with questions in any area that you think they might be able to help on.

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April: Carving a Path: Neurodivergence & Identity with Nat Bartsch

Date: 7 Apr 2025

Time: Talk 11am, consultations 12:30pm-2:30pm

Venue: Online

Tickets: Free Admission - Register here

In April, IMC is hosting an online discussion with guest Nat Bartsch—an acclaimed pianist, composer, and advocate who has carved a unique path in the music industry while embracing her neurodivergence.

Nat Bartsch is a twice ARIA-nominated artist known for her beautifully soothing blend of neoclassical composition, jazz harmony, and ambient effects. Her distinctively gentle and lyrical sound has reached listeners worldwide, accompanying them through deeply personal moments—from birthing suites to final goodbyes. Proudly neurodivergent, Nat is part of the growing wave of late-diagnosed autistic/ADHD artists discovering their true selves. She believes neurodiversity is a superpower and that, with the right support, neurodiverse musicians can thrive creatively and professionally.

In this session, Nat will share insights from her career as a composer, performer, and entrepreneur—offering valuable takeaways for neurodiverse and neurotypical musicians alike. Topics will include:

• Access & Identity: Understanding neurodivergent needs in music and performance settings

• Carving Your Niche: How Nat built an audience, engaged ND communities, and leaned into her brand to create effective merch

• Sustainable Careers: Touring, working with managers/agents, and launching a label

• Authenticity & Business: Balancing artistic integrity with career-building strategies

This is an opportunity to hear from an artist who has successfully built a career on her own terms—while also fostering inclusivity and connection in the music world. Whether you’re a neurodiverse musician seeking relatable insights or a neurotypical bandleader looking to better support ND collaborators, this discussion will be eye-opening, practical, and inspiring.

Endorsed by Yamaha Pianos, Nat has released nine albums, toured internationally, and collaborated with artists across jazz, classical, and theatre. This breadth of experience enables Nat to sit comfortably between genres, challenging assumptions of what a ‘classical’ or ‘jazz’ artist should be. After several years releasing music for both ABC Jazz and ABC Classic, she has now established her own record label., Amica Records, for genre bending, kind music. Amica Records also supports emerging artists through Amica Familia, a mentoring and industry skills initiative.

As always, one-to-one sessions with an IMC team member are available post-discussion, covering career concerns such as releasing music, booking gigs, and more.