Major(s): Classical Civilization
What is your current role? What was your journey in arriving there?
Since 2018 I have been working for Qobuz, a high quality music service based in France. I oversee the business in North America, Northern Europe, and some other countries. I started in the music business immediately after graduating from Wesleyan, working in radio promotion for an independent label.
I was laid off within the first year (for reasons outside my control) and then started my own company doing the same work on a consulting basis. I ran this business for 8 or so years. I then pivoted into marketing and went in house at independent labels and ultimately ended up at Sony Music where I spent another 8 years. When that ended I once again worked as a consultant to independent labels, worked as an artist manager, and luckily got connected to Qobuz.
What do you enjoy about your work? What challenges does your industry currently face?
I get to utilize relationships across the music industry that I have developed over 30+ years. I wear a lot of different hats and have a large amount of responsibility. The best part about it is that I feel good about what we are doing, which is bringing music to the people.
The challenges faced by the music industry overall are well-documented. In my role, I am seeing how generative AI has exacerbated already serious problems in the music streaming business model. Fake music is being created at scale by bad actors and being used as part of a massive streaming fraud industry which is stealing music from actual artists.
How did your time at Wesleyan influence your career choice/journey?
My involvement with WESU led directly to entering the music business. Along the way, classmates and other Wes alums have helped or been helped!
Do you have any advice for students thinking about entering your industry?
Be realistic about what you want to achieve. Most successes in the music industry are either entrepreneurs or lucky people who happen to be in the right place at the right time, or both. The best way to break in is to be doing something on your own that is working, then opportunities will come. Most of the entry-level jobs at bigger music companies would be extremely boring for a Wesleyan graduate. Try to skip that step.
Updated March 21, 2025
