Sam Guyton (BM`21)
Since graduating, Sam has built a career as a performer, entrepreneur, and music director. He is owner of Vali Entertainment, a luxury event entertainment company that provides high-energy live music experiences worldwide. He also continues to perform as a singer and musician, while expanding his network in the entertainment industry.
Sam credits NYU’s Music Business program with providing him the foundation to merge artistry with entrepreneurship. From understanding contracts and negotiations to branding and event production, the program prepared him to navigate the industry with confidence. The hands-on experiences and connections he made at NYU were instrumental, he says, in launching and growing his business.
Professor Ramin Amir Arjomand insights on consistently working at your craft and trusting the process deeply resonated with Sam. A music theory class—it was hands-on coaching and guidance for navigating a career as a musician. His mentorship and real-world knowledge were invaluable as Sam transitioned from student to business owner.
Diship Garg (MA`24)
Since graduating, Diship has been working with AEG Presents- TMWRK Management, where he supports presale campaigns, manages daily operations, and analyzes artist data from platforms like Spotify to align with social media metrics. His role involves monitoring and enhancing social media and marketing campaigns, designing client assets, coordinating event logistics, and producing content for artists like Major Lazer, TV On The Radio, Sierra Hull, Joe P, Jai Paul, Mackned, and Honky Tonk in Queens. Additionally, he forecasts trends, identifies top music supervisors, and contributes creatively through poster design, video editing, and track mastering.
The Music Business program laid a strong foundation for his career, blending academic rigor with practical experience. As a graduate program assistant, he gained invaluable industry exposure through collaboration with the director, program admin, professors, and guest speakers. The program’s focus on both business and technical aspects of music has been directly applicable to Diship's role at AEG, particularly in publishing, and supporting his work as an independent artist. His responsibilities in event organization, program communication, course grading, and podcast production have further refined the skills essential to his current position.
Key highlights of the program include strong faculty support and extensive networking opportunities that expanded his network of professional connections. The curriculum provided practical knowledge relevant to today’s music industry, and NYU’s comprehensive student support system ensured a smooth experience as an international student. The integration of Steinhardt and Stern courses offered a well-rounded education, merging music insights with business acumen.
Rose Hernandez (BM`24)
Rose graduated last spring from the Music Business program with a minor in Teacher Education. Since graduating, she has been working with artists as an associate business manager at Gold Business Management. It’s been a surprisingly calm and fun experience, and she feels lucky to be in such a sweet and supportive environment.
She already misses the Music Business program and its strong community (and is thinking about going back to studying soon!).
The Music Business program prepared Rose for her career with hands-on projects and the support of faculty and fellow students. The program’s blend of challenging, yet fun coursework, along with the encouragement to pursue internships, made a huge difference. She loved learning from industry professionals and the entrepreneurship class right before graduating was a highlight. She credits NYU for helping her find herself and giving her what she needed to fuel her aspirations. Super grateful, Steinhardt pride forever 💜
Isa Bruder (BM `22)
Brazilian-American artist Isa Bruder is an up and coming pop star who demands attention with her contagious melodies, percussive vocals and emotive storytelling.
From unrequited love to the enticing complexity of situationships, the queer singer chronicles life’s adversities with thought-provoking lyricism you’ll ruminate on and an effortless sense of humor. At NYU, she studied Music Business and Creative Writing, and Isa is currently on the Programming team at NYC's SummerStage festival in Central Park.
Leo Treskunov (MA `23)
Leo joined Mute as a full-time Digital Production & D2C Manager for its North American office based in New York. At Mute Leo is responsible for overseeing the production process of Mute’s digital products, as well as managing and developing Mute's direct-to-consumer sales channels and supporting the day-to-day operations of the label.
Ariel McAphee (MA `20)
Ariel is an avid R&B fan who still enjoys discovering new music regularly. She got her start in the music industry in high school as a touring member of Vy Higginsen’s Gospel for Teens in Harlem. Throughout her time in college & graduate school, Ariel has had the opportunity to plan tours for small ensembles & large choirs, intern at all 3 major record labels in various departments, & advocate for DE&I initiatives within the industry.
In her current role as a Marketing Representative at RCA, she was part of the team that worked on SZA’s sophomore album SOS - which spent 10 weeks at number 1 on Billboard 200 & spawned SZA’s first number 1 single “Kill Bill” on Billboard Hot 100. In her free time she enjoys cooking & traveling with her friends. Ariel currently resides in New York City.
Tymie Jadagu (BM `22)
After completing internships at Live Nation, Sub Pop, Secretly Music Group, and a part-time coordinator position at Premier Music during their college career, Tymie achieved their BM in 2022 with a wheelhouse of music industry skills and connections. Currently, they are working as the Creative Synch Coordinator at the innovative Kobalt Music Group. At Kobalt, Tymie works with artists such as Childish Gambino, Boygenius, Phoenix, and more to pitch their music for projects in advertisements, film, television, games, and promos.
As a postgraduate, they are currently exploring dance as a means of creating in addition to their music industry career. Tymie is passionate about growing and connecting with others who identify as neurodivergent, queer, People of color, and other marginalized identities to make the music industry a safe, diverse, and inclusive place.
Matt Palermo (MA '22)
Matt is currently a manager in Citrin Cooperman’s Music Economics and Valuation group, specializing in music catalog valuations. The group is an industry leader in the space and valued over $6.5 billion in unique music assets in the past year alone. In his role at Citrin Cooperman, Matt is responsible for preparing valuation models and accompanying reports. Matt holds a CPA license in New York State and prior to working at Citrin Cooperman worked in public accounting and finance roles.
Dani Friedman (BM `22)
Dani currently works as one of three people of the Music Department at SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, where she is a main point person for the Musical Guest and their band and crew, in addition to working with the house band and the show’s mix rooms.
In addition to her support to produce SNL, Dani has also worked on Michael Bublé’s Christmas in the City (2021) and a number of other ventures at NBCUniversal. Having previously been employed at The Recording Academy (the GRAMMYs), she has also spearheaded the red-carpet interviews for the 2023 GRAMMY Nominee Celebration for the New York Chapter as well as assists with the production of a number of their events with the New York Mayor’s Office throughout the year.