Making Her Mark on Music and the Law

Why did you choose to attend Hofstra University?

I think it was a combination of things. I really loved the campus when I came to visit. It felt welcoming. I liked all the people I interacted with, and when I spoke to Terry Tompkins, the director of the Music Business program, it really sealed the deal. He told me about the opportunities available, and I just couldn’t imagine going anywhere else. I had a lot of different interests, and I felt like I could find a home for all of them at Hofstra.

Who have been your mentors, and how have they helped you?

Professor Tompkins has been a huge mentor to me. He gave me the confidence to do the kind of outreach I’ve done and even encouraged me to help start the Women in Music chapter at Hofstra, where I was the founding president. 

Through him, I met adjunct professors like Elyse Dannay, who taught my Music Publishing in the Music Industry class; she really helped shape my career path. I also interned with another professor, Danielle Geiger, at Atlantic Records. Outside of the Music Business program, Kelly McMasters, head of the Publishing Studies concentration in the English Department, was my first-gen advisor. Just having her to talk to freshman year was huge. She understood the kinds of things I was going through and the concerns I had. She’s been such an amazing help to me.

Talk about the interesting work, research, or internships you have completed.

I’m really passionate about what goes on behind the scenes in the music industry. I’ve had internships in publishing, licensing, and royalties. Because of these experiences, I plan to attend law school. As much as I love live events and working with bands, I’ve learned that every artist needs a lawyer. I started taking more legal studies and business classes, and I loved them. I want to advocate for artists, so they’re not stuck in poor contracts and can make a living from their art.

What was your proudest moment at Hofstra?

There have been a few, but being part of Hofstra Concerts and serving on its e-board have been especially meaningful. When I started at Hofstra, events were scaled back because of COVID. I would go to Coffee House, the live music event Hofstra Concerts presents every other week. At first, only 15 people were showing up. We worked on making it something people would want to go to. It was gradual, but soon 30 people were coming. Then 50. Now this semester, Hofstra Concerts did not have one event with fewer than 100 people in the audience. April’s MusicFest drew 3,000 students. Knowing I helped make that happen is incredibly rewarding. These experiences also helped me land internships and build skills like event planning and budget management.

What will you miss most about Hofstra?

I’ll miss the people the most. The friends I’ve made, the professors I’ve learned from, even the casual interactions – like running into someone at lunch and saying hi. The community here is so special. I’ve found amazing people through everything I’ve done – from serving as a Pride Guide to joining the badminton club. I know I’ll keep those friendships, but I’ll miss sharing the same space with these people every day.

What are your plans after graduation?

This summer, I’ll be interning in licensing at Spotify, which is super exciting. I’m looking forward to attending music industry events and hopefully working with artists more directly. I’ll also be applying to law schools. I’ve been looking for a place to live in New York City, so I can be closer to my internship and take advantage of networking opportunities.

What advice do you have for first-year students who have interests similar to yours?

Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there. It can be scary at first, but just send that email, go to that club meeting, introduce yourself. You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room, but just being in the room can open so many doors and make a huge difference.

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