Grace Smith
B.M., Cello Performance, Baldwin Wallace University
Area(s) of Interest: Music, Fine Arts, Performing Arts, Theatre, Arts/Music Festivals, Nonprofit Work, Entrepreneurship
What are 1-2 of your most significant academic/extracurricular/work experiences? One of them would be planning a networking trip for arts management students while attending Baldwin Wallace University I organized and orchestrated a five-day networking trip to New York City for 24 students, curating valuable opportunities for engagement with prestigious organizations. The itinerary included networking sessions with industry leaders such as the New York Philharmonic, Carnegie Hall, Wasserman Music, Bond Theatricals, NETworks Presentations, and TodayTix. This initiative aimed to provide students with firsthand exposure and connections within the performing arts industry. My other would be my internship with Interlochen Center for The Arts. At the Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, MI, I served as the Program Director of Intermediate Lakeside. Responsible for overseeing all recreational activities within the division, I orchestrated group bonding initiatives and character-building seminars across divisions to connect people from multiple art forms together. Notably, my role contributed to activities featured in a New York Times article about our organization. I seamlessly integrated a capstone business idea into this role. Throughout the summer, I led sessions that included meditation and workshops guiding artists on integrating wellness practices to enhance their art forms, mitigating factors like injury and stress on the body.
What is your ideal job/role in about 10 years? I’d ideally like to be working in operations for a major orchestra or for a non profit arts organization.
What led you to enroll in the MSLCE program at Northwestern? As a first-generation college student and cellist, I’ve dreamed of attending Northwestern for years. The MSLCE program caught my eye because it combines my passion for music with practical leadership skills for the creative industry. Coming from a background where higher education wasn’t a given, I’m drawn to this program’s potential to open doors in arts management and creative businesses. Northwestern’s stellar reputation, the program’s blend of artistic and business courses, and the networking opportunities in Chicago’s vibrant arts scene all factored into my decision. This feels like the perfect next step to transform my love for music into a impactful career in the creative sector.
What aspect of the MSLCE program are you most excited to experience? (i.e. specific class, site visit, IDEA fund, internship, etc.) I’m most excited about the (In)Equity in Arts and Entertainment: History + Practice course
Favorite piece of media? My favorite song is Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan. It talks about the feeling of finally finding a place where you feel accepted and loved.
Where are you from? Wyandotte, Michigan, USA