Meet the Class of 2024
The second movement in the symphony of life is just beginning for Merit School of Music’s Conservatory Class of 2024. On Sunday, April 21, 59 talented graduates received their diplomas
Even as we make our way through this season of chilly, snowy days, growth and excitement can be seen, heard, and felt in Merit School of Music’s young musicians, who are ardently preparing for their bright futures.
Merit’s Associate Board recently hosted a Leadership Institute panel at the Joy Faith Knapp Music Center here in the West Loop to discuss with students topics such as building careers, facing rejection, and deciding what comes next in their musical journeys. Merit’s Leadership Institute is a free mentorship program supporting Conservatory high school juniors and seniors as they prepare for their first year of college.
In the session moderated by Associate Board members Conrad Devin and Eduardo Lopez, arts administrators (Tim Corpus, Kurt Gildow, and Richard Riedl), a record label executive (Binta Niambi Brown), and employees of music technology company, Shure Incorporated (Chery Jennison DaProza and Brent Shumard) shared their experiences with our students on how they found their career paths, how their musical training and education has supported their goals, and expanded definitions for our students of what careers in music can look like beyond performance and teaching.
Read below for some key insights and advice shared by our panelists.
– Binta Niambi Brown, Founder & Executive, Omalilly Projects
– Tim Corpus, Composer & Arts Manager
– Cheryl Jennison DaProza, Associate Manager of Corporate Communications, Shure Inc.
– Richard Riedl, Manager of Governing Member Gifts, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
– Brent Shumard, Acoustical Engineer, Shure Inc.
While planning for the future and navigating career paths can be nerve-wracking for young students, hearing firsthand from these talented professionals may just be the support and reassurance these students need to keep the music, and joy, alive.
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The second movement in the symphony of life is just beginning for Merit School of Music’s Conservatory Class of 2024. On Sunday, April 21, 59 talented graduates received their diplomas
The sun rays bounced off the gable roof and the melodies of Bach, Beach, and Beethoven floated through the open wooden doors of St. John’s Chapel in the Old Irving
Joy Faith Knapp Music Center
38 S Peoria St, Chicago, IL 60607
312-786-9428
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