I’m from Breezy Point, NY which is a little beach neighborhood in Queens (one of NYC’s five boroughs).
I grew up singing in my church choir, taking piano lessons, and listening to music around the house, but I didn’t really get into it on my own until high school. In high school, I was very involved in my school’s concert choir and a capella group and developed an interest in learning music theory. I also picked up the guitar on my own and have been teaching myself ever since!
Why did you decide to come to NYU?
Honestly, I initially didn’t want to come here at all when I was looking around at colleges. After my mom took me on a tour of the school, however, I began to think more and more that this was the place I was meant to be. My dad convinced me even further by reminding me that other young women and men my age would LOVE to be in New York City and even though I was from here, that didn’t mean that I couldn’t also go to school here. I decided to come to NYU (and specifically the Music Business Program) because I couldn’t see myself living or working without music, but I didn’t want to pursue a career as a performer. I liked the fact that I could continue my music education at one of the country’s top music schools while also studying business at one of the nation’s top business schools and learn about the music industry from renowned faculty and people who were making a difference in the industry.
Who are some of your favorite musical artists?
The Beatles, Sara Bareilles, Bleachers, Lorde, Adele, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness (and formerly Jack’s Mannequin), Bruno Mars, fun., Carly Rae Jepsen, Smallpools, Passion Pit, Emily King, Bastille, Bombay Bicycle Club…to name a few.
Do you have any musical guilty pleasures?
Long live pop-punk. That’s all I have to say.
What have been some of your favorite music business classes/professors in your time here?
I really loved my music publishing course with Jennifer Blakeman. She’s a great teacher and the subject is super interesting! Our final “song parody” project is super fun.
Have you had any really cool music-related moments in New York?
I saw Lorde at Webster Hall my freshman year, and it was her first EVER show in the US after her first album release. Now look at where she is!
What was your best Internship?
I loved all of my internships, but I would say my best one was at Warner Music Group as a Marketing & Sales Intern under their Warner Classics & Erato labels.
What is your dream job?
Honestly, I never really had a “dream job” per se. I think this industry changes and morphs so often, and that may mean that my dream job doesn’t exist yet. To me, my dream job is whatever I’m doing that I end up loving.
Are you leaving the program with different career aspirations than you had when you entered the program?
Absolutely, yes.
What is your advice for any incoming freshmen or transfer students to the program?
