Fostering a diverse new generation of young guitar players, songwriters, and music creators across the globe
The Gibson Generation Group (G3) is celebrating the upcoming graduation of the Class of 2025. A powerful two-year mentorship program that fosters a diverse new generation of guitarists, songwriters, and music creators throughout the world, the program encourages young players to pursue a career in music by providing monthly artist mentorships, one-on-one artist relations support, instrument loans, collaborative promotions, performance opportunities, and inclusion in global marketing campaigns.
The Class of 2025 consists of Freya Bird (Cannock, UK), Gabe Crumby (Nashville, TN), Luna (Miami, FL), Faela (Heerle, The Netherlands), Rocco Gorelik (Johns Creek, GA), Lauren Hunter (Chicago, IL), Maya Neelakantan (Tamil Nadu, India), Lyla Ng (Singapore), and Saxon Weiss (Los Angeles, CA).
Jenny Marsh, Global Director of Cultural Influence at Gibson, commented: “The G3 Class of 2025 represents everything we believe in at Gibson—passion, creativity, and dedication to the craft.”
The global collective of talented youth who participate in the G3 program receive career growth opportunities and develop lasting connections throughout the music industry with support from the Leadership and Cultural Influence teams at Gibson. We recently caught up with some of the Class of 2025 at Garage Fest, the annual celebration of all things Gibson held at the Gibson Garage Nashville.
“I am really honored to be a part of the 2025 Gibson G3 group,” said Saxon Weiss. “Gibson is the greatest iconic guitar company, with so much American history. Not only that, but their entire team is outstanding! Why wouldn’t an aspiring young musician decide to be a part of the biggest guitar company in the world? There isn’t a better way to get connected to musicians, play other places, and receive tips and tricks in a crazy industry. Not only that—you get to play amazing guitars!”
“To know that Gibson is supporting so many different emerging young artists with so many different strengths, talents, and genres means a lot,” said Lauren Hunter. “Especially because nowadays it’s more rare to be playing guitar and being young, and trying to be an artist. To be supported by a brand like Gibson, that has worked with some of the greatest guitarists of all time—it just means the world that they see that potential in us, they believe in us, and we have all that support and love.”
Class of 2025 Program Mentors were Emily Wolfe (global) and Toby Lee (EU and UK). We asked the G3 class members how they benefited from the industry experience shared by their mentors.
“Emily Wolfe is such a dream, she’s awesome,” said Rocco Gorelik. “I learned so much from those Zoom classes we did—so much about that business that you just can’t find online. It’s been really invaluable for me.”
“The mentoring programs with Emily were great,” said Gabe Crumby. “You really had the chance to learn from a professional and learn how a professional deals with everyday musician things that you don’t even think about, really.”
For Luna, the biggest benefit of the Gibson Generation Group was becoming part of a community. “Being G3 gave me a sense of community I never expected in music,” she said. “Being a musician, being an artist, I think community is the most important thing. It’s given us such a special family, such a special sense of belonging.
“As an artist, it’s given me the confidence I’ve needed to really put myself out there in other avenues, other than just playing bass—like songwriting or collaborating with people. Even just networking and reaching out. It’s given me the confidence to go and be able to really own it on stage. And besides everything, it’s just been so much fun. So much fun, all the time.”
Discover more about the Gibson Generation Group (G3) and apply to join the next class.
