Backline and Neal Casal Music Foundation Announce 2024 Edition of Artist’s Namesake Fellowship

Backline and the Neal Casal Music Foundation have come together to announce the 2024 edition of the Neal Casal Fellowship. Following up on the program’s inaugural year, the second annual fellowship will continue its work with Backline to provide customized mental health and wellness resources to the music industry and their families.

The Neal Casal Fellowship will support Blackline’s long-term clinical strategy, working alongside Backline’s Clinical Director and key partners to build programming to support the real-time needs of the music industry. In doing so, the folks behind the fellowship seek to fill a paid position to carry out a secondary year of providing the necessary supplies to take on feelings and conditions resulting from the music industry. 

The role requires a time commitment of 10 hours per week. Qualifications for the position include completing or having completed a Master’s Degree in Counseling, Psychology, or Social Work and currently enrolled in an accredited Counseling/Social Work Program. Knowledge and, or experience working within the music industry is preferred but not required.

“Part of our origin story will always be tied to Neal Casal’s life and legacy, but the creation of the Neal Casal Clinical Fellowship has allowed us to realize the impact of this legacy in a way that allows our organization to grow sustainably, clinically, and community-wide,” said Backline’s Executive Director and Co-Founder Hilary Gleason. “The first year of the Fellowship was incredibly beneficial to our inner workings, and we are thrilled to announce that we are now accepting applications for the second year!”

“Supporting Backline’s mission through the Neal Casal Clinical Fellowship this past year has been a unique and meaningful experience. The fellowship allowed me to use my clinical experience to help solve problems and support Backline’s growth. It provided space to offer my perspective and creativity to projects that align with my passions. And it stretched me to take on tasks I’ve never done before, building trust in my approach and strengthening my love of collaboration. A highlight has been working with a team of kind, creative, and dedicated folks who are really good at what they do,” added Carrie Ann Fleming, Backline’s 2023 Fellowship recipient.

Applications for the 2024 Neal Casal Fellowship are open and can be accessed here.