Music Careers in NYC

June 23-27, 2025 Rose Hill

Non-Credit Course

Music Careers in NYC explores the intersection of music, personal goals, and professional opportunities in New York City. Students will engage with the vibrant musical landscape of Fordham and NYC, addressing social issues, diversity, and inclusion in the arts. The course offers insights into music marketing, nonprofit management, copyright law, and performance, while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and empathy through songwriting and improvisation. Participants will connect personal and professional aspirations with the dynamic arts communities in and around NYC.

Skills/Learning Outcomes

Students will:

• Explore how musicians and arts organizations at Fordham and in NYC are addressing social and political issues; promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion; building belonging and identity.
•  Explore career opportunities in NYC and related course/extracurricular offerings at Fordham involving music marketing (including social media), nonprofit management and development, copyright and intellectual property law, music performance, and/or radio (recording/sound engineering, programming, broadcasting).
• Build capacities for critical thinking, creativity, and empathy through songwriting, song analysis, and/or musical improvisation, and by clearly articulating and connecting personal/professional goals to music and/or arts communities at Fordham and in NYC.

Students will build lasting connections with fellow high school students, current Fordham students, Fordham alumni, and NYC musicians. These connections and the topics they explore in this course can inform their college and career choices. Students will also learn to listen to, analyze, improvise, and write music in new ways in response to issues that matter to them and the communities they explore.

Instructor Bio

Dr. Graham Johnson is an Instructional Designer at Fordham University, where he brings extensive experience in cultivating equitable and inclusive learning environments. With a strong background in both K–12 and higher education, Dr. Johnson has designed and taught courses across a wide range of subjects, including music, mathematics, English, and social studies, to students with diverse abilities and backgrounds. He taught music in New York City public schools for thirteen years, collaborating extensively with artists and educators at institutions including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Harlem Stage, and Manhattan School of Music.

Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Innovation in Curriculum and Instruction from Fordham University. His research focuses on interdisciplinary STEAM education, creativity, and the deconstruction of oppressive power structures in education. In his role as an Instructional Designer, Dr. Johnson supports Fordham faculty in creating accessible, high-quality online courses that promote student engagement and success. He is committed to fostering educational environments that are responsive to the needs and strengths of all learners.

Immersion 1 Resident Move-In/Move-Out

Move-in for Resident students is Sunday, June 22.

Resident students can move out on either of the following dates:

• Friday, June 27 (after 5pm)
• Saturday, June 28 (before 11am)