Laying Down Roots in Nashville: SAEM Alumna Begins Career in the Music Industry Tuesday, January 10, 2017
Meet Brianna Joyce
Job title: Senior Account Assistant
Employer: Flood, Bumstead, McCready and McCarthy Inc.
Degree earned: Bachelor of Science in Sports, Arts and Entertainment Management
Graduation year: Spring 2014
Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pa. (Green Tree)
High school: Keystone Oaks High School
Now living in: Nashville, Tenn.
Internships/career-related experiences: Special events intern for Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and production runner and merchandise sales representative for live shows in Pittsburgh and Nashville
Hobbies/interests: Going to concerts and other live music events, playing bass and guitar and horseback riding
LinkedIn: Brianna Joyce
Update: Brianna was recently promoted at Flood, Bumstead, McCcready and McCarthy, Inc.
What encouraged you to transfer to Point Park?
I always wanted to earn a degree in the music business, but had no interest in leaving Pennsylvania at the time. I only knew of one other school that offered this type of major near Pittsburgh and was not a fan of the program. After two years of college and settling on various majors that didn't interest me, I decided to transfer to Point Park University after a friend told me the school offered a sports, arts and entertainment management program.
How did you break into the music management industry in Nashville?
I had fallen in love with Nashville and made the decision that I would move there after graduation to pursue a career in the music business. Before moving to Nashville, I had been hard at work networking, applying and interviewing for positions. Once I moved to Nashville, I attended various meet-ups sponsored by different groups who specifically work with young professionals in the entertainment industry. Professor Ed Traversari was nice enough to put me in touch with some of his friends and colleagues, who gave me great advice, suggestions and even some gigs as a runner for shows at the Ryman Auditorium.
After being rejected from jobs many times or just being completely ignored, I received a call from FBMM. I had scheduled an interview, but was then told shortly after that the position had been filled before I had a chance to interview. A couple of months later, I received another call and was told that the same position, but under a different account manager, was open. I interviewed two days later and received a call the day after with a job offer.
Tell us about the work you do for as an account assistant for Flood, Bumstead, McCready and McCarthy.
As an account assistant at FBMM, I work under an account manager and am responsible for working directly with musicians/artists and their teams to manage their business accounts. Some of my day-to-day activities include reconciling road reports for touring artists, tracking route sheets, deal memos for shows, merchandise sales and royalties, renewing memberships for organizations like SAG-AFTRA and GRAMMY/The Recording Academy, booking deposits, processing and paying invoices and many other various business and personal projects that come up for our clients.
How has Point Park's SAEM program prepared you professionally?
Point Park's SAEM program has prepared me professionally by giving me the real tools and knowledge to get the job done. Unlike the other universities I attended, Point Park was much more focused on the real world and what real employers in this industry, both in Pittsburgh and around the country, are looking for in employees. On top of that, I've never had better professors. All of the SAEM professors go above and beyond when it comes to setting up their students for success. They were all so genuinely involved and always available to help and encourage me along the way.
What are your career goals?
My ultimate career goal was and is to become an artist or business manager. I am extremely fortunate and grateful for the opportunity to get into business management at FBMM as my first real career in the music industry. FBMM has been so welcoming and fantastic; I hope to be able to continue learning and growing and to eventually earn a position as an account manager or account executive.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I highly recommend to SAEM students to be as involved as you can. I worked two part-time jobs and also worked at my internship, which meant I always missed the SAEM Club meetings and sometimes other great events within the SAEM major. That is one thing I would have done differently during my time at Point Park.
Also, don't be afraid to break out of your comfort zone and push yourself. A huge part of this field is networking and connecting with others in the industry.