Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business (CEMB) announces the launch of Pipeline, an entertainment industry solutions think tank that identifies Belmont’s best and brightest students and charges them with developing cutting edge concepts and solutions and influencing the entertainment and music industry through their creative capital.
“The Pipeline project exemplifies Belmont’s commitment to nurturing entrepreneurial thinkers who seek positive change and growth through engagement with and service to the Nashville community,” said Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher.
CEMB Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives Sarah Cates added, “We believe that Belmont students can be at the heart of creative solutions for the entertainment industry, and we are excited to encourage the next generation of innovators.”
Pipeline will provide a select group of elite undergraduate students an opportunity to engage in an innovative project alongside a project advisor and be devoted to open dialogue, research and analysis of industry issues over the course of the summer. Nine students will receive summer stipends and funds for research supplies and/or other project expenses. Pipeline students will present their work and findings at informative meetings with industry partners and at Belmont faculty meetings.
After an extensive application and interview process, the inaugural Pipeline team has been selected:
Josh Cypher, a junior Audio Engineering Technology major and Entrepreneurship minor
Chase Geiser, a freshman Audio Engineering Technology and Philosophy double major
Kevin Grosch, a junior Songwriting major
Eric Guroff, a sophomore Entrepreneurship major and Music Business, Production minor
Ross Hill, a sophomore Music Business and Entrepreneurship double major
Jessica Pangrazio, a freshman Public Relations major and Music Business minor
Kyara Rafferty, a junior Music Business major and Mass Communications minor
Margaret Shehan, a senior Music Business major
Gia Vangieri, a senior Entertainment Industry Studies major and English Writing minor
Assistant Professor of Entertainment Industry Studies Sarita Stewart, who is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Mass Communication with a specialization in Entertainment Media and a cognate in Statistics, will oversee the Pipeline think tank. Her research interests lie in the areas of music consumption and branching out into sub-streams, including video games, social media, and mood management studies.
