We are excited to announce our first series of Creative Network talks running from September to November 2026.
The EMERGE Creative Network is a free programme, aimed at 16 – 25 year old creatives, to celebrate talent, build connections and create opportunities for the next generation of artists, musicians or creatives looking to build sustainable careers within the arts and creative industries.
All events are free to attend (please don’t forget to book your free tickets via our What’s On page!) and we welcome everyone with genuine passion for connection and the arts to join us.
Lineup
30 September: Building your audience and platform with Denys Wilcox Senior Artist & Label Relations Manager at SoundCloud
28 October: Building your creative identity with Mauro Borges Creative Director, Director and Founder of Studio CIE
25 November: Building a Successful Music Career Independently with Shao Dow Rapper, Manga Author and occasional Ninja
Meet your host
EMERGE Creative Network are hosted by World Heart Beat’s Anjelo Disons. Anjelo is a singer, songwriter, producer and founder of The Oracle Collective, known for showcasing some of London’s most exciting emerging jazz, soul and R&B talent. As a World Heart Beat Alumni, Anjelo has gone on to build a strong following whilst creating opportunities for other young musicians to thrive.
What to expect
All events will have the opportunity for networking and building new relationships and connections before and after the talks. Our intention is to always create an environment that is welcoming and inclusive, and we encourage guests to meet new people, be kind and be supportive.
Event Times
Arrival from 6pm
Talk: 7pm – 9pm
If you arrive late, we cannot guarantee entry – please arrive early to avoid disappointment
Spaces are limited and booking is required
For updates on ticket releases, future events and more, follow us on Instagram @worldheartbeat
To find out more information on how you can get involved please email info@worldheartbeat.org
Building your Artist World – EMERGE Creative Network Series
30 September: Building your Audience & Platform
with, Denys Wilcox Senior Artist and Label Relations Manager at SoundCloud
Denys will talk about how to grow an authentic audience and amplify your following, Explore Artist Development, Discoverability and creating opportunities through Soundcloud.
Denys serves as Senior Artist & Label Relations Manager, where he has led campaigns for a plethora of artists including PinkPantheress, Fred again.., and Jazzy, helping them build and connect with global audiences on SoundCloud. His path into the music industry began at university, where he developed influential third-party playlists that gained early traction. He later joined Columbia Records as a Marketing Intern, contributing to campaigns for artists such as AC/DC, Calvin Harris, Rosalía, and Davido.
Book tickets here
28 October: Building your Creative Identity
with Mauro Borges Creative Director, Director, and Founder of Studio CIE (Creativity Is Everything) Creativity Is Everything
Explore how to develop a creative identity that goes beyond your music. Mauro will share how creative direction, storytelling, and visual direction can help you build a distinctive artist world that connects with your audience.
Mauro is a Creative Director, Director, and Founder of Studio CIE (Creativity Is Everything). With a career rooted in visual storytelling, Mauro spent years at Universal Music leading artist campaigns end-to-end from creative direction and music videos to artwork, design, and photoshoots across both domestic and international markets.
Today, through Studio CIE, Mauro continues to collaborate with major global music labels including Warner, Sony Music, and Universal Music, shaping visual identities and creative direction at the highest level. Beyond music, Mauro directs international brand work, including a recent short film for Google. Driven by the ethos that Creativity Is Everything, Mauro continues to push the boundaries of visual culture across music, film, and brand direction.
Book tickets here
25 November: Building a Successful Music Career Independently
with Shao Dow Rapper, Manga Author and Occasional Ninja
Learn what it takes to build a sustainable career on your own terms. Shao Dow will share his experience of creating opportunities, staying true to your vision and growing as both an Artist and Entrepreneur.
International Rapper, Manga Author, and occasional Ninja – Shao Dow (Rhymes with “Wow Bro”) creates music inspired by anime and gaming but written for the soundtrack of life. The closest thing you’ll ever meet to a real-life anime character, Shao travelled solo to China to train with monks in Shaolin Kung Fu, he taught himself Japanese and now raps skillfully in two languages. A fiercely independent artist, Shao creates powerful, genre-blending music built on infectious hooks and razor-sharp lyricism.
Shao Dow’s music has featured in Fortnite (“Thunder Roll”) and has been used by games God of War and Borderlands 4 as well as Amazon Prime Video for the Arsenal documentary. Additionally, Shao helps create the music for the popular One Jump Man vs Shaggy Ball Z animated series.
He’s been touring internationally, performing at some of the world’s biggest anime and nerd culture events- from the USA to Latvia, the Netherlands to Nigeria and was the official representative performer for England at the Osaka Expo in Japan.
Book tickets here