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Hunna launches 2025 Mentorship Programme for female Saudi musicians
From July to November, monthly workshops will feature leading regional and international women sharing insights on production, live performance, artist strategy and global positioning.
Hunna, a women-led initiative dedicated to championing female talent across the MENA music scene, has launched its 2025 Mentorship Programme and workshop series in Saudi Arabia. The initiative will connect emerging female artists with established industry mentors while hosting workshops and community events across the region in the lead-up to XP Music Futures in Riyadh from December 4 to 6, according to a report by Al Arabiya English.
Now in its third edition, the flagship programme builds on Hunna's mission to professionalise, amplify and connect women in music. The network, which has more than 120 active members from Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and beyond, aims to equip women creatives with the resources, connections, and visibility needed to succeed in an evolving global music industry.
Six mentees from the MENA region and its diaspora were selected through a rigorous, anonymised process led by the Hunna Committee, a diverse panel of industry professionals and past mentees. The 2025 mentor-mentee pairings include Tunisian music entrepreneur Chaima Soudani with Celine Hitti, Head of Artist Services MENA at Believe; electronic-pop artist Nadine Lingawi ('Fulana') with Emmy-nominated composer and BBC Radio 3 presenter Hannah Peel; Egyptian multi-instrumentalist Martina Ashraf with Montréal-based experimental electronic artist Liliane Chlela; Saudi composer and pianist Nora Aljebrin with Tarabband lead vocalist Nadin Al Khalidi; DJ and producer Lena Chercaoui with Saudi DJ pioneer Cosmicat; and Palestinian-Jordanian vocalist Lina Sleibi with singer-songwriter and visual creative Lina Makoul.
Named after the Arabic plural for 'she,' Hunna continues to work at the intersection of cultural advocacy, professional development and community care, grounded in the values of professionalisation, amplification and collaboration.
The 2025 programme begins with the 'Introduction to Music Production Workshop' on August 20 at Beast House in Riyadh, hosted by Laughta and Cosmicat. A virtual masterclass titled 'Plan A Release,' led by Lina ElSahli of MDLBeast Records, will follow on August 27, offering practical guidance on preparing and executing a professional music release. From July to November, monthly workshops will bring in leading regional and international women to cover topics including production, live performance, artist strategy and global positioning. These sessions are open to all Hunna community members, underscoring the initiative's commitment to accessibility and shared growth.
The programme will culminate with the Hunna Gathering at XP Music Futures in Riyadh from December 4 to 6, described as the 'emotional heart' of the initiative, a space for mentors, mentees, alumni and the broader community to connect, reflect and celebrate.
XP Music Futures, now in its fourth year, is organised by MDLBeast and will be held at Riyadh's JAX District. The three-day event will feature a diverse lineup of global and regional speakers, addressing topics such as maintaining grassroots culture, the role of AI in the creative economy and using music for climate action. The conference blends panels, workshops, live performances, and immersive experiences, reinforcing its position as a leading platform for the region's music industry.
