Mumbai, India | May 2026: Varun Parikh has announced the launch of the Bay Owl Studios Scholarship for Women, in collaboration with Abbey Road Institute Mumbai, to support aspiring female producers, artists, and audio professionals through education, mentorship, and industry access.
The scholarship opens on May 12, 2026, and has been created to help address the gender gap that continues to exist across music production, sound engineering, and technical creative roles. By combining financial support with mentorship and practical exposure, the initiative aims to create stronger pathways for women entering the music and audio industry.
The scholarship is applicable exclusively for the August 2026 intake of the Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering, with the course beginning on 10th August 2026. The deadline for scholarship applications is 15th June 2026.
Women remain underrepresented in production studios, engineering environments, and technical creative spaces globally. Through this initiative, Varun Parikh, Bay Owl Studios, and Abbey Road Institute Mumbai aim to create meaningful access, visibility, and long-term support for emerging women talent.
“Music and creativity thrive when more voices are given the opportunity to participate and lead. This scholarship is about creating access, encouraging talent, and ensuring that more women feel empowered to build careers in music production and audio,” said Varun Parikh.
Scholarship Details
- Award: 50% scholarship towards course fee
- Recipient: One candidate annually
- Applicable Intake: August 2026
- Course Start Date: 10th August 2026
- Programme: Advanced Diploma in Music Production and Sound Engineering
What the Scholar Will Receive
- Mentorship from leading women producers and artists
- Feedback on all four academic summative assignments
- Portfolio development guidance
- Industry networking opportunities
- Exposure to professional creative environments
Esteemed Mentors & Selection Panel
The scholarship is supported by a panel of women practitioners from music, film, and creative industries:
- Varijashri Venugopal
- Alokananda Dasgupta
- Nayantara Bhatkal
- Kamakshi Khurana
- Anushka Lewis
The panel will participate in the selection process, conduct workshops, provide structured academic feedback, support internship pathways, and guide the scholar through the academic year.
A Step Towards Greater Inclusion
As India’s music industry continues to grow across film, streaming, live performance, and independent scenes, the need for broader representation in technical and production roles has become increasingly important. This scholarship reflects a commitment to building a more inclusive and future-ready creative ecosystem.
About Varun Parikh
Varun Parikh is the founder of Bay Owl Studios and a passionate advocate for music education, creator development, and industry-led learning opportunities. Through Bay Owl Studios, he has focused on building meaningful platforms for emerging talent and fostering the next generation of creative professionals.
About Bay Owl Studios
Bay Owl Studios is a Mumbai-based creative production space built for artists, producers, and next-generation talent. It serves as a hub for music creation, collaboration, education, and innovation.
About Abbey Road Institute Mumbai
Abbey Road Institute Mumbai is part of the globally renowned Abbey Road Institute network, offering specialised education in music production, sound engineering, and audio entrepreneurship, backed by the legacy of Abbey Road Studios.
