Alumni Case Study Charlotte Southgate

Charlotte is a prime example of how staying curious and saying “yes” to opportunities can transform a passion for performance into a thriving career behind the scenes. Initially joining WaterBear to develop her vocals, Charlotte quickly discovered a flair for the events side of the industry. Today, she is an integral part of the team at Avalanche, a music booking agency, where she supports tours and artist development. While her primary focus is now firmly in the agency world, Charlotte remains deeply connected to the Brighton grassroots scene through ad-hoc work with local promoters and venues, ensuring she stays at the heart of the live music community. 

Charlotte’s path to WaterBear began at a different institution where she felt the curriculum lacked a connection to the modern industry.

“I realized quickly the course wasn’t suited for me and didn’t have modern music industry opportunities,” she explains.

After hearing about WaterBear’s reputation for industry-focused learning, she switched to the Career Musician degree. While her initial goal was to find her vision as a vocalist, the environment at WaterBear encouraged her to explore the broader industry, eventually leading her toward the world of live events and bookings.

The turning point for Charlotte came during a second-year events module. Tasked with working as a promoter to book and promote a live show, she found her niche. She then continued to develop this passion, securing events related opportunities through WaterBear including a three-month internship as Venue Producer Assistant at the Brighton Fringe site ‘Caravanserai’ and volunteering for two years at The Great Escape as an Artist Liaison. She then launched her own promotions company for her Final Major Project in her third year, putting on successful night at Brighton’s renowned Green Door Store.

This foundational events experience proved crucial when Charlotte applied for a paid internship at a music booking agency a few months after her graduation – an opportunity secured through WaterBear. That internship then evolved into a full-time role after three months. 

However, the industry often presents unexpected hurdles. When the booking agency closed suddenly, Charlotte’s resilience and networking skills were put to the test. By staying in touch with her professional circle and taking an interim role at another agency, she was eventually hand-picked to join a new venture, Avalanche, in May 2025. Her journey from student promoter to agent assistant highlights how diverse experience in grassroots events can be the perfect springboard into the high-stakes world of international booking. 

Live Event Production & Promotion 

Artist Liaison & Logistics 

Booking Agency Administration & Booking 

Festival Operations 

Strategic Industry Networking