Sony Music’s Global Scholars Learn About the ‘Whole World Behind the Artist’
Categoria: Musica
The major brought more than 40 music and music business majors from universities around the world to its New York headquarters for a week of talks with recording engineers, lawyers and others.
Por Billboard | 23/07/2026
Packed into the mixing room of a studio at Sony Music Group’s New York headquarters on a Tuesday in mid-July, about a dozen college students listened as five-time Grammy award-winning recording engineer and producer Ann Mincieli described the life and career lessons she’s learned working nearly every job there is in a studio. “There’s a whole world, basically, behind the artist,” said Mincieli, who has worked with artists including Alicia Keys , Mariah Carey , Drake and DMX , and now designs and runs studios for Sony Music. Related Billboard’s 2025 Top Music Business Schools Desiigner Arrested on Domestic Violence Charge in South Carolina DJ Quik Says His Son 'Made a Mistake' Following Murder Conviction, Pleads With Fans to Stop Asking About It Over the next 45 minutes, Mincieli took the students, who are part of Sony Music’s Global Scholars Program, through three versions of Keys’ “Empire State of Mind” and her contributions on each to illustrate how her career path has taken her from “producer to painting the sonic palette with the artist.” “It’s incredible to see the growth in career paths available in the studio,” Mincieli, who also owns New York’s Jungle City studios, told the students. “The lines get blurred sometimes, so it’s important to learn the roles to put yourself in the best position and so you can advocate for [yourself].” The students are part of a group of 55 mostly college sophomores from 18 countries who received Sony Music scholarships to pursue degrees and careers in the recording industry — both on the creative and business side. The program sponsors aspiring music professionals with scholarships of $3,000 to $20,000 per academic year, renewable for up to three additional years, before they start college. A novelty in the music industry, the program is modeled off a scholarship program run by the Magic Johnson Foundation and resembles recruitment programs popular in the financial and legal industries. “It’s important for us to invest in the next generation of music professionals, and we want that investment to start early in their college career,” said Towalame Austin , executive vp in charge of Sony Music’s global philanthropy, environment and social impact, who oversees the program. “We’re committed to them for an average of four years.” Funding is provided by Sony Music’s social justice fund, and part of the program involved covering flights and hotels for 41 of the 55 students to come to New York for a week this summer to meet staff from 26 different Sony divisions, including CEO Rob Stringer , studio legends like Mincieli, recording artists Miles Caton and Rapsody, label presidents, Orchard executives and business and legal affairs staff. Anthony Marshall, a sophomore at Coastal Carolina University in South Carolina, said the program introduce