1. How did the MPAP faculty contribute to your growth as a musician?

My undergraduate degree was in the Music Business program (MUSB) at Steinhardt. The variety of classes offered in the MUSB program —ranging from music theory to industry and business courses—gave me a solid foundation to have a music industry career. These courses offered practical insights that went beyond just music, covering essential skills necessary to thrive in the industry.

Some of the faculty members who made a lasting impact include Ruby Marchand, Chief Industry Officer at the Recording Academy and former Warner Music Group executive. Ruby was very kind and generous in sharing her industry knowledge while I was attending the A&R class taught by her and professor Phil Galdston and interning at Warner Music Group under her supervision. Larry Miller, who I took an entrepreneurship class with, emphasized that it’s okay to start something new and break into an industry with high entry barriers. These mentors helped me develop confidence in both my artistic and entrepreneurial pursuits.

2. Share three key skills you learned in your program that help you today.

The three key skills I gained from my program are:

1. Entrepreneurship – The program gave me the first glimpse of what it means to be an entrepreneur in the music industry, especially with Larry Miller’s entrepreneurship class.

2. Music Industry Insights – The global perspective I gained, by undertaking two semesters abroad in Paris and doing an independent study with former program director Catherine Moore, where I focused on the busking culture and indie music scene in Europe.

3. Networking – The connections I built through the program helped me overcome the challenges of not having an “insider” network in the industry.

3. Were there any specific projects or performances you participated in that you are particularly proud of?

One of the projects I’m most proud of was during my time at Warner Music Asia. Just two months into the job in 2018, I was notified by my Korean colleague about a viral track "Way Back Home" with a Korean producer Shaun that charted on Melon, while I was on a business trip in Europe. Along with our colleagues at Spinnin' Records, we created the English remix version featuring Connor Maynard a few months after the track took off in Korea. The English remix became a major success in many markets and charted Top 50 in the Spotify Viral and Global chart, amassing oevr 2B streams up to date.

4. What have you been working on since graduating?

I’ve had the privilege of working with some major names in the music industry for the past 8 years since graduating. I started with Ultra Records (now a Sony Music Entertainment company), then transitioned to Warner Music Asia in the HK regional office, followed by Universal Music Southeast Asia in Singapore. I then spent two years working for a Live Nation and Universal Music Group collaborative project, Fabled Records, where we focused on developing electronic music talents in Greater China.

I'm currently in the final year of my Juris Doctor degree at the University of Sydeny and I’m also working on a legal tech startup called athena-io.co, a platform designed to streamline release legal clearance for artists and labels. The platform automates paperwork and significantly improves efficiency, a crucial step for independent artists trying to navigate the complex music label world.

5. Where do you see yourself in five years?

In five years, I see myself continuing to push the boundaries of technology in the music industry. My goal is to further develop athena-io.co into a platform that enhance the way how labels and artists clear their legal paperwork, providing resources and guidance to labels and artists to protect their musical rights, especially in the emerging markets.

6. What advice would you give to incoming students or early-career professionals?

No matter what path you choose, the key is to know your direction and commit to it. The music industry can have tough entry barriers, especially at the entry level, but if you're willing to put in the hard work, the rewards are there.

For international students, the challenge can be even greater, but it’s important to build a solid network and gain respect in the industry. If you're serious about working in the music business, don’t waste any opportunity to learn and grow.