Women Who Rock Concert Provides Alumna, Students with Meaningful Live Entertainment Experience

The live entertainment industry is a field where you learn by doing.

That's why Point Park University Professor Melinda Colaizzi, who teaches in the Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business program, gives students opportunities to contribute to the Women Who Rock Benefit Concert, the flagship event of the organization she founded to champion women in music and women's health awareness.

Presented by Gibson Gives at Stage AE, the event's proceeds benefit women's health research at Magee-Womens Research Institute. This year's headlining act was Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter Melissa Etheridge, and last year's event featured Ann Wilson of Heart and Tripsitter.

"Melinda's drive and commitment to helping women in the industry and increasing awareness of the gap in research for conditions specific to female bodies is something that has inspired me to think about how I can make a difference in my future endeavors," said alumna Bailee Gazdag '23, a former intern and now employee of Women Who Rock. 

In the Q&A below, Gazdag shares her experience working for Women Who Rock and how Point Park prepared her for a career in live entertainment. 

How did you get involved with Women Who Rock?

Melinda taught one of my classes, and while I had already planned on applying for the Women Who Rock internship, she helped expedite the process for me as I was going to wait until the following semester. During my internship, I jumped at every opportunity thrown at me, such as managing pop-up events, market research, building or crafting things for events and running the merch table at the 2022 Women Who Rock Benefit Concert, which featured Jordin Sparks.

When my internship ended, I received the opportunity to work part-time with the organization to help manage our pop-up shop in the Southside Works along with our pop-up events that help us build community around Pittsburgh. I also worked at City Winery Pittsburgh in their ticketing department during this time. A year later, I started as an official full-time employee with Women Who Rock in December 2023.

Describe your current role and what excites you about it.

I wear a lot of hats in this company, as we are a small team pulling off projects that are always polished and professional with a side of fun. My role includes managing and scheduling our pop-up events around Pittsburgh, from Babes & Bubbles, our women-owned market in the Strip District Terminal, to events at UPMC Magee-Womens Hospital. I also manage our online sales and fulfillment for our clothing line, help to develop new designs, keep our pop-up shop running and looking fresh and make connections with the Pittsburgh community to help spread the word about our mission. It’s exciting because every day is different, and it definitely keeps me on my toes.

How did the Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business (SAEM) program prepare you for this role?

One of the classes that was a turning point for me in the SAEM program was Personal Branding with Professor Robert Derda. He broke down the interview process, how to market yourself as a professional, the importance of continuous learning after you graduate, keeping up with the industry trends and changes, effective time management and plenty of other amazing takeaways that I still use. 

What tips do you have for current students interested in live entertainment/music careers?

Do as much as you can while you are in school. Volunteer and take opportunities that you may not be 100% sure about as they can end up being something amazing. Try to meet as many professionals relevant to your career as you can. Go to career readiness events. Go for summer internships! There are so many opportunities at your fingertips from the connections that Point Park has in the entertainment/music industry locally and beyond.

@pointparku Follow along with Bailee Gazdag '23, @Women Who Rock ⚡️ Partner Activation and Pop-Up Event Manager as she prepared for the annual Benefit Concert 💖 Presented by @Gibson Guitar Gives at @Stage AE the event's proceeds benefit women's health research at Magee-Womens Research Institute, the world's largest research institute dedicated to women's health. This year's headlining act was Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter @Melissa Etheridge! Full story at pointpark.edu ✨ @Bailee Gazdag 🤩 #PointParkUniversity #PointParkU #DowntownPittsburgh #PioneerCareers #WomenInMusic #WomensHealth #WomensHealthAwareness #MageeWomens ♬ original sound - Point Park University

What do you like about working with/learning from Melinda Colaizzi?

Melinda can turn just about anything into gold. Looking back on past Women Who Rock events, when her team was smaller and her resources were even more limited, she has developed an amazing brand and platform that has stood on its own for seven years. She has taught me so many lessons that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Most importantly, she has taught me to never back down from something that seems impossible. Working with women who do not apologize for taking up space and who have a commitment to making a change in our society is something that the younger me would have never imagined I could achieve. I am forever grateful to Melinda for creating and fostering that environment at Women Who Rock.

What are your fondest memories from your time at Point Park?

I met my lifelong friends at Point Park, literally during freshman orientation. We did a lot of growing up together in our four years. I also met my partner through the SAEM program, and we grew with each other as we moved through college. My first two years at Point Park were some of the best. I was just beginning to become an adult and live on my own, without the high stakes of being completely on my own, as I was still living on campus.

What are three key benefits of attending Point Park?

• The city location is very beneficial. Most of the internships and shadowing experiences that were available to me were accessible by public transportation.
• Point Park’s Rowland School of Business heavily emphasizes going out into the world and networking as early as you can, which are skills that still help me in my current position.
• Point Park’s campus had such a different energy compared to other colleges, and that was part of the reason I chose it. Professors and students alike are very accepting and accommodating, and that helped me to grow into the person I wanted to be.

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Learn more about the SAEM program:

• Pioneer Careers: Lydia Grimenstein '20 is the Senior Manager of Donor Engagement for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Point Park's On-Campus Record Label Produces Annual Artist Showcase with Four Dynamite Acts
• Student Q&A: SAEM Pittsburgh Penguins Events Team Reflects on Semester of Hands-On Experience

Connect with Bailee Gazdag '23

More About: internships, success story, Pittsburgh, Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Music Partnerships, faculty, alumni, sports, arts, entertainment and music business, Stage AE, Rowland School of Business, Downtown Pittsburgh, Pioneer Careers