Almost Famous
Danielle Graziano vlogƵ18 seriously rocked her time at Pace. ShevlogƵs just graduated as an arts and entertainment management major at Lubin with a marketing minor, and her heart is set on the music industry. With internships at the likes of Atlantic Records and Live Nation, working gigs for OneRepublic and Ed Sheeran, itvlogƵs pretty safe to say that Graziano has already broken into this big-time business. At Pace, shevlogƵs been heading up P.A.C.E. Board as co-president, overseeing many events on the NYC Campus: Setter Jam, Amateur Night, and The Voice auditions, just to name a few.
We got to pick her brain about all things music, interning, and life advice.
Why did you end up choosing Pace? What set Pace apart from other universities?
The first reason why I chose Pace was the world of opportunity. IvlogƵve always had an interest in the music industry, so I wanted to come to New York for that. IvlogƵm from a small town in Massachusetts, so obviously the music industry was in NYC. The second reason was the actual major. TherevlogƵs no other school that offers an arts and entertainment major, or really had something like that. I came here on the Pace preview tour and absolutely fell in love with it. I was like, vlogƵYes, this is it.vlogƵ Everyone seemed awesome and I just got really great vibes compared to all the other schools I looked at.
How did you hear about vlogƵ Services?
I went to a few employee spotlights with vlogƵ Services before I heard about their general meetings. I thought, vlogƵI need to get going on my internships and I need help with my resume!vlogƵ So I went in and booked an appointment with Maria Pesantez, who was absolutely incredible. I also went to workshops and they really helped me get my resume ready, honed my interview skillsvlogƵeverything. They were so accommodating, and really wanted us to succeed.
What internships have you had?
TheyvlogƵre all primarily in the music industry, but the first one I worked at was a publishing company called Water Music Publishing. I was a branding and social media intern, and I got to work with an artist whovlogƵs actually one of my good friends. Then I had a gig at Warner Music Group in promotion, and that was an incredible experience. I still talk to and work with some of the supervisors from there. After, I moved over to radio promotion and marketing for Atlantic Records, and that was also within Warner Music Group. They have an amazing group of internsvlogƵtheyvlogƵre all so awesome!
I also worked Live Nation this summer as the special events intern, and pretty much worked a lot of private shows for actual tourists. For example, we threw a pre-party with OneRepublic, and handled a lot of the event planning and execution. That was actually in their Hartford office, so it was close for me since I didnvlogƵt live on-campus over the summer.
Look at your market when youvlogƵre searching for internships. If youvlogƵre home over the summer, Pace gives you opportunities to do internships wherevervlogƵeven outside New York. Last fall, I worked at a marketing agency handling lot of production, some magazine launches, a lot of marketing, and social influencer work. Right now IvlogƵm at SuperflyvlogƵs event operations team. They produce music festivals!
What was the preparation process like?
First, I had to figure out exactly what I wanted to do and with who. I did lots of research into different companies before making an appointment with vlogƵ Services. I attended cover letter workshops and got myself ready, applied to Warner Music. I also got a recruitment email from Professor Chris Ramos, who runs the arts and entertainment management program. Then I used Handshake for reference and resource stuff.
As for prepping for interviews: I did more research and identified key terms about each company pertaining to the position, like what to wear. In-person interviews are differentvlogƵyou have to be more prepared in terms of your appearance, direct eye contact, good handshakes, etc. Personally, I like phone interviews better, but either way, you have to show them your personality and how confident you are through the phone. You have to be bubbly and nice and treat it like a real conversationvlogƵtreat them like a real person.
Of all your employment positions, which did you like the best?
Warner Music Group was definitely one of my favorites. I really got a full company wide experience, and everyone was really helpful. I got to talk with different departments and work for a lot of artists, like helping with Ed SheeranvlogƵs release partyvlogƵcrazy things like that. Obviously, there was more to it than the fun stuff, but I really liked my supervisor there.
Live Nation was also an absolutely incredible experience for me, too. I got a lot of hands-on work and my bosses really let me take the reign on things. Being the co-president of P.A.C.E. Board, along with my friend Rachel Andrade vlogƵ18, is fun, too. We run all the NYC Campus entertainment events like the Setter Jam concert, Amateur Night, and The Voiceauditions that happened with SDACA.
Is that more stressful for you or do you have a lot of fun?
ItvlogƵs so fun! ItvlogƵs a lot of work, but I absolutely couldnvlogƵt imagine my years at Pace without doing it. IvlogƵve met so many people from being in that club. From booking agents to artists to talentvlogƵeverything. WevlogƵve worked with musicians DNCE to all their managers, and itvlogƵs really a lot of hands-on work like handling people over the phone and coordinating with DJs.
What was a defining moment for you while working at that position?
One of the best moments was when Ed SheeranvlogƵs album, Divide, released. We threw a big party and I got to meet him and his executives. It was really awesome. Also, I loved to track the numbers of the rating department with them, so like tracking all the hit tracks through numbers and social media and charting and radio. I have a weird passion for that. Also, really any event I got to work was definitely a highlight. Some of them were working a show for OneRepublic, or Sam Hunt, or John Mayer, to an FX launch for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
How did you decide on your major? What is it about media management that draws you?
When I visited for a tour at Pace, I already knew I wanted to do music, but also business, so I wondered what the best fit would be. At one of those tours, I got to meet Professor Ramos, who recommended arts and entertainment management. It was important for me to have that business side of it. That was the reason why I chose it, and IvlogƵm minoring in marketing because marketing and promotion go hand-in-hand. ItvlogƵs important to have backgrounds in both when youvlogƵre working in the music industry.
What motivates you?
Getting the chance to influence people and help them succeed in the industry. I also love being surrounded by my classmates who are all doing really cool things. I think being in a leadership position on P.A.C.E. Board also motivated me because I want the club to succeed, and I want to build my personal brand. IvlogƵm a highly motivated person and a very big go-getter. I like to try new things, but when I started working at Warner Music Group, I was definitely motivated to do even bigger things, and became a well-rounded student because of it.
Were there any performers that inspired you as a kid?
IvlogƵve always loved live performances and radio. My first concert was Hillary Duff. I kept begging my parents to let me go to concerts all the time. Ever since I was young, I always wanted to be involved with music. What influenced me were a few radio personality people, and I also loved Demi Lovato. With everything that shevlogƵs gone through, she inspired me to work hard and want to be in the industry even more.
Do you have any advice youvlogƵd like to give other Pace students?
Be yourself no matter whatvlogƵfor anything that you do in life. I have a crazy personality, but IvlogƵm also kind of shy, too, and IvlogƵve never changed myself for anything. Also: try to be personable with everyone. It will bring you a long way and help other people out. Basically? Follow what you want in life, donvlogƵt think anything is a stupid idea, and never, ever doubt yourself.