From Classroom to Music City: Charger Looks Back on Experience in the University of New Haven’s Music Industry Program

As a student in the University of New Haven’s Music Industry program, Imani Cooper ’26 knew she wanted an experience that went beyond the classroom. Last spring, she had the opportunity to participate in the Nashville Study Away Program, where she stepped directly into the fast-paced environment of Music City.

While in Nashville, Cooper interned at Red Street Records, a label founded by Jay DeMarcus of the band Rascal Flatts. During her internship, Cooper worked closely with the A&R, Marketing, and PR teams. Her responsibilities included tracking social media trends, collecting and organizing data, and listening to demos from potential artists. She was able to give feedback and see firsthand how artists are evaluated and marketed. For Cooper, this experience helped connect what she was learning in class to how the industry works day to day.

One of the most impactful parts of the Nashville semester was the emphasis on networking. Nashville Faculty member Mark Montgomery prompts discussions in his class about building a strong network. “All you have in your professional career is your reputation and your rolodex,” says Montgomery.

During the semester, Professor Mark Tavern hosted an alumni panel for students. At that event, Cooper met alumna Taylor Ingraham ’15, which led to an introduction to Breeze, CEO of , an artist management company focused on artist development.

Taylor is also the founder of (HAF), a nonprofit organization that supports independent artists by providing funding, resources, and performance opportunities. “Harmonize Artists was founded with the intention of helping independent artists navigate the music industry by providing resources and opportunities they may not otherwise have access to. Every volunteer and member of our organization has a clear commitment to helping artists at every level succeed,” says Ingraham.

What started as a simple introduction during the alumni panel turned into an ongoing opportunity. Cooper now interns remotely for Differently and works closely with the Harmonize Artists Foundation. She recently helped plan their annual indie showcase, an event designed to connect local artists with industry professionals while raising funds for the foundation. The showcase is also a competition, with one artist winning six months of artist development through Differently. Imani’s role included researching outreach opportunities, helping build industry connections, and contributing ideas to strengthen the event. She also meets weekly with Breeze to provide updates and discuss strategy, which has given her valuable mentorship and hands-on experience.

Breeze notes that, “Imani has been an exceptional intern this past year. She approaches every task with initiative, professionalism, and a genuine desire to understand not just what to do, but why it matters. She’s thoughtful, reliable, and brings a level of care that elevates the entire team. She has a bright future ahead of her, and I’m excited to see her continue to grow and find her place in the industry.”

“My goal is to push my students out of their comfort zone, to help them understand that if they want something in this world, they're going to have to go get it,” Professor Montgomery explained. “Part mindset, part cliff jumping, part building new skills, and Imani embraced and executed all three.”

“For me, the Nashville Study Away Program, currently in its tenth year, represents an opportunity for students to be in the room with music industry professionals, whether alumni, current artists or others” says Prof Tavern. “Starting a yearly alumni panel and reception is about building a direct bond between alumni and others working in the field so that current students can get practice interacting with them and build a network that will shape their future upon graduation.”

For Cooper, the University of New Haven’s Music Industry program has been about building real connections and gaining practical experience. The Nashville Study Away semester not only gave her an internship, but also relationships and opportunities that continue to grow. As she moves toward Commencement, Cooper credits the program with helping her take meaningful steps toward a career in the music industry.

Marina Del Santo ’28, ’29 MBA has been selected to be part of the 2027 Nashville Study Away cohort.