Graduating Class (Year): 2022

What you are up to now?

I work as a Guest Service Coordinator with ASM Global at Caesars Superdome, Smoothie King Center, and Champions Square in New Orleans. 

What led you into arts management?

As an artist, I always had more questions than answers. While I was performing professionally, I often wondered why the audience was only half full? Why do I have to perform at a donor’s condominium and not in the theater? Why did my paycheck bounce? Why do dancers often get paid less than singers? These are just some of the endless amounts of questions I always had and I wanted the answers. I felt by diving into an arts management program I would get to dive deeper into the complexities of what it takes to live life as a performing artist, a dancer. Additionally, after years of performing and touring I decided I wanted stability. I more-so wanted a place to call “home.” It wasn’t until I sustained a serious injury while performing did I start looking into arts management programs. Medical benefits suddenly were of high importance to me.

Most memorable experience in the Program?

My most memorable experience in the program was partaking in “Engagement – The New Art Institutional Paradigm” with instructor Dr. Miriam Paeslack. Something clicked for me in this class. I often connected the materials throughout the course back to past experiences and to the performing arts. The work inspired by this class ultimately led me to my thesis, “Engagement at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: An Arts Management Perspective.” Additionally, I saw much of the course's subject material to be transformative and applicable to arts and cultural sectors on a global scale. Most importantly, I felt seen and heard in this class. Not only was this class intellectually challenging and stimulating, but I think it ultimately made me grow into a better version of myself. 

What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

I knew next to nothing about digital design and marketing prior to entering the arts management program. There is just so much software, databases, and tools at our disposable to use when designing that it has always been stressful for me. That said, one of the first tasks assigned to me upon graduating was having to create an online enrollment page for community dance lessons. Now at ASM Global, I am having to update information portals and create event splash pages for all of our part-time staff. Luckily, we do have a marketing department that oversees most of the company’s branding and marketing, but a basic sense of design is still required of me. If I were to do the arts management program all over again, I would be sure to have a basic understanding in digital design and re-explore some basic computer skills prior to enrolling. I say this now because it would have come in handy throughout the program. 

Advice for current/prospective students?

Stay inspired, encouraged, and motivated. Speak your mind and speak your truth. However, it is important to give everything you learn and/or witness a moment to digest and absorb. Once you do, be ready and prepared to have a healthy, effective, and impactful discussion.