SHS students inspired by Seattle City of Music Career Day
Written by Julieanne Weatherhogge, Former Student on Monday, October 21, 2013
Junior Abby Smith had always had a fascination with the performing arts industry, but she had never realized the possibilities until she went to the Seattle City of Music Career Day with her friend, Junior Danyka Tagg.
The two attended the music industry presentation and learned all about backstage management and band support. They got to hear from the director of the record label Sub-pop and different radio DJs like John from “John in the Morning” on KEPX. Abby learned that “if you want to go somewhere, you gotta start from the bottom and work your way to the top.”
The conference also featured the manager of the Lumineers and Death Cab for Cutie.
This was Tagg’s second year of going to this conference and she learned a lot after being exposed to this opportunity. “I’m not musically talented, like at all, but this experience opened up a whole new venue.”
Tagg said that she wants to start a career in band management.
Right now, she works and volunteers for different bands in Seattle. She staffed at Bumbershoot and did the backstage VIP passes for Paramore and Nirvana.
After seeing all this industry had to offer, Smith has found more of a direction and plans to turn her passion for singing and guitar into a career after graduation. “I realized that I don’t have to be rich and famous to do what I love.”
This upcoming summer, Abby Smith has decided to take the presenter’s advice, and plans on volunteering at the EMP in Seattle to try and get her foot in the door. “I have to start somewhere,” she said.
The girls presented their findings to their fellow Jam Club members. The club members are looking forward to taking a club trip to the Seattle City of Music conference next year.
