Meet the recent graduates helping artists in Newcastle reach their potential

Maria Winter and Sam Harris (Contemporary & Popular Music, 2021) co-founded a female-led live events company that supports diverse local musicians through innovative, interactive entertainment.

Marisam Events is a focused on supporting, showcasing, and creating safe spaces for local musicians and creatives within the North East of England.

The company was founded by two former Newcastle University graduates, Maria Winter and Sam Harris, who both work and navigate the creative sector as musicians and creatives.

We recently caught up with Maria and Sam to find out more about their time at university, their careers in music, and their work to make a difference to musicians.

Our time at Newcastle University inspired us

We believe that Newcastle University provided the foundation for Marisam Events. Taking part in the Music Enterprise module and the city’s vibrant cultural scene were crucial in shaping our business ethos and direction. The university’s environment fostered our creative and academic growth, laying the groundwork for strong community connections.

Our inspiration at Marisam Events is driven by a fundamental belief in equality and community empowerment. Our time at Newcastle exposed us to the power of inclusive spaces, inspiring us to create more of these environments in the creative sector. Collaborating with organisations like Shout-Up! and Rape Crisis Tyneside, we use live events as platforms for amplifying voices and driving social change. Our commitment to social justice is reflected in our dedication to creating educational, inspiring, and inclusive events.

Proudest moments

At Marisam, we aspire to leave a lasting impact by promoting inclusivity, equality, and empowerment through our events. Our greatest accomplishment would be the positive ripple effects on the community, from providing platforms for underrepresented artists to inspiring other businesses to adopt socially responsible practices. We measure success through the stories of those positively impacted by our work and strive to be a catalyst for positive change in the North East and beyond.

We enjoy bringing people together and creating memorable, impactful experiences. Each event is a unique challenge blending creativity with purpose. The most rewarding aspect is witnessing the connections formed and the positive feedback, knowing our efforts contribute to a stronger sense of community.

Music has always played a role in creating communities

Some of the stand-out moments from our student days include participating in the vibrant local music scene and collaborating with fellow students on various projects through the modules. The music society also played a huge role during our time there, and with so much going on there was always new things to try and new people to meet, which we loved. The sense of community and camaraderie was always present - from late night rehearsal sessions to impromptu performance in local venues, the different experiences fostered a deep love for live music and a commitment to creating inclusive and engaging events.

Success isn't a straight path

Embrace every opportunity, even if it doesn’t seem directly related to your ultimate career goals. Success is rarely a straight path, and unexpected opportunities can offer incredibly valuable experiences. Don’t be afraid to take risks, especially if it involves starting a new business idea. We took a risk with launching Marisam, and even though we’ve only been operating for a year, we can already see the positive impacts of our work.

One thing we wish we’d known as new graduates is the importance of building and nurturing a professional network. Connections and relationships can open doors to opportunities you might not find on your own. Don’t hesitate to reach out to lecturers, attend industry events, and stay connected with fellow students. These relationships can provide crucial support, advice, and collaborations to help you navigate your career.

Marisam Events have recently launched a new partnership with the Holiday Inn in Jesmond for their Late 'n' Live series and their Elevate 22 original music series at Newgate Social. Follow them on @marisamevents and @latenlive to stay updated on the latest projects.

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