YAMI (Youth + Adults in the Music Industry) will return to Wānaka on 1-2 May 2027, bringing musicians, creatives and industry professionals together for two days of workshops, mentoring and connection at the Lake Wānaka Centre.

Held at the start of NZ Music Month, the biennial summit is entering a new era with founder and director Lynne Christie stepping back, making space for fresh ideas and guest curators. With longstanding crew members stepping up into larger roles Celine Van der Eecken will help bring the next summit to life as event producer.

Christie says the time is right to hand over more of the reins.

“I’m happily putting myself out to pasture – although I suspect I’ll still be peering over the fence,” she laughs. “YAMI has grown through the generosity of so many people. It’s exciting to see the crew stepping up and guest curators bringing their own ideas, while keeping that same love of music and belief in the brave creatives.”

The inaugural guest curator will be Barnaby Weir. A YAMI supporter since 2014, the musician behind The Black Seeds and Fly My Pretties will help shape a weekend that champions original musicians, producers and the creative teams around them.

“I feel honoured to be the YAMI  guest curator for 2027. We are in the process of creating another inspiring weekend packed with exciting music workshops and captivating live performances in beautiful Wānaka. I can’t wait to be a part of it all,” says Weir.

The YAMI 2027 tutors will be announced in February, with Weir and Van der Eecken hinting it is shaping up to be a formidable line-up of performers and industry experts. Earlybird tickets are on sale through Moshtix.