About POP Symposium
POP Symposium hosts a plethora of artists, industry pros, and community members. This series of engaging and occasionally controversial panels contends with the most pressing issues facing the music industry today. This year, it will cover everything from taxes for musicians, to border navigation, streaming royalties, the music venue crisis, and the rise of latin music collectives in Montreal. All of POP Symposium’s programming is free, fun, and open to the public.
POP Symposium also offers a mentoring program: Next Level
Next Level is a 3-day professional development program for Montreal area-based musicians in the early stages of their career. The project brings a cohort of 15 emerging artists through three days of skills training, mentorship, and networking opportunities specifically designed to meet their professional development objectives.
The 2026 program takes place in Montreal January 31, February 7, and February 15. Participants receive an honorarium, food, and an additional childcare and/or transportation honorarium upon request.
Check out our 2024 recap video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/wqGB8xb8evY
Interested in applying to be a part of this year’s cohort? Submit your application here (link to application). The deadline is December 19th, 2025.
