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MORE ABOUT NATHAN
Hofstra Music Business major Nathan Monga credits the film Dreamgirls and its stars Beyoncé and Jennifer Hudson for sparking his ambition to work in the music industry.
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Monga’s love of producing, promoting, and performing music eventually led him to Hofstra University, where he will graduate with a BS in Music Business.
The oldest of seven siblings, Monga spent most of his childhood in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Wanting to provide better educational and professional opportunities for his family, Monga’s father sent his three eldest children to the U.S.
When it came time to look at colleges, he focused on schools that offer studies in music business. He took an immediate liking to Hofstra, which offers both BS and BA programs that are recognized as among the best in the country by Billboard magazine.
Monga got mentorship and support from his professors, especially Terry Tompkins – a music industry veteran who directs Hofstra’s Music Business studies program.
“I call him the Beyoncé of the Music Department,” he laughed.
“He guides his students through the program and helps them connect with people working in the business,” he said. “He’s always available to talk, write recommendation letters, review resumes, and help find internship opportunities.”
Tompkins helped Monga secure an internship with the California-based A&R firm GREATERTHAN. The position allowed Monga to be part of a team that promotes artists including Che Pope, Santigold, and Killer Kennedy.
“I worked on the company’s social media platforms, research, and marketing,” Monga said. “My dream job would be an artist scout or producer. I’d also love to work in social media for artist development.”
Monga also has been indulging another musical dream at Hofstra by taking harp lessons as an elective. Between his music making and studies, he sings with the Hofstra Chorale, the Hofstra Jazz Ensemble, and the Gospel Ensemble. This year, he made his debut performing the National Anthem at several men’s basketball games. He’s also past president of Hofstra’s chapter of the Music and Entertainment Industry Student Association (MEISA).
“I’ve loved every single one of my years at Hofstra,” he said. “I enjoy interacting each day with people whose aspirations are like my own.”
After graduating this May, Monga is starting a paid internship at Universal Music Group (UMG) working in the urban promotion division of Def Jam Recordings.
Nathan’s story isn’t unique. In fact, among Hofstra University’s 2020-2021 undergraduate degree recipients, 98% of alumni from the School of Humanities, Fine & Performing Arts who responded to a graduation survey or other reliable sources (61% knowledge rate) reported they were employed or had started or were planning to start graduate school within one year of graduation. Visit our outcomes page at hofstra.edu/outcomes for detailed information.