As most freshmen do, I spent a lot of time in my first year at Cal searching for ways to get involved on and off-campus and make the most out of the opportunities that come with being a student. Joining GRAMMY U was an enriching experience I was lucky to come across.
As a part of the Recording Academy, the GRAMMY U Program connects college students with music industry professionals so they can explore careers in music and feel inspired to start their own. Every semester, events, programs, and discussions across platforms cover different aspects of the industry, ranging from business to technology to music production and artist management.
Every new member joins the Recording Academy Chapter closest to their university and receives guidance from a GRAMMY U student representative working within their chapter.
The current San Francisco chapter representative, Stefan Nixon, encourages students to take a chance and apply to the program if they have any interest in the music industry. The program requires applicants to be enrolled in a university and pay a $50 fee to get up to a six-year membership, depending on the year they join.
Nixon hopes students do not feel discouraged or intimidated by the Grammy name. “The program is what you make of it,” Nixon says. “Show that you are active in music in some way and explain what your intentions are in music.”
The academy seeks passionate, authentic members that will take the opportunities offered to grow. As a representative, Nixon reminisces on experiences with industry professionals; “I’ve had times where I pinch myself and say like am I really here?!”
Some of his latest meetings discuss the role of the industry in the current social and political climate, inclusivity and diversity in music, and the logistics of this year’s virtual award show. For Nixon, it’s not so much being “a decision-maker but an observer” that makes the experience even more worthwhile and interesting for him as a growing music industry professional.
GRAMMY U also currently offers a semester-long mentorship program remotely, where students work with a professional in their industry of interest. Last fall, my mentor was the founder and CEO of a music publishing company based in Los Angeles. I got to hear about his journey in music, and learn about how he works with artists and companies.
Although a semester was far too short to collaborate with my mentor, I learned a considerable amount about an area I vaguely knew prior to taking part in the program.
This semester, a new mentorship opportunity begins. Since I study remotely from Florida, I transferred from the San Francisco Chapter to the Florida Chapter and have a new mentor from Orlando working as a producer, composer, performer, and teacher.
The music industry is not always as glamorous as it seems, but if you have the passion and drive you are sure to carve your own space within it. Regardless of how you use your membership at GRAMMY U, the community and the relationships you make along the way are unique to your experience and will stay with you throughout your career.
Written by Sara Florez
Featured Image from Grammy.com