April's Educational Background

Upon graduating from high school, I spent time traveling the United States, Great Britain, and Europe, using the "Deborah Harry" concert tours as my itinerary.  It was while attending these shows that I realized I wanted to turn my love of music into a career.

I began attending the University of Cincinnati, majoring in Electronic Media.  My curriculum included technical and creative courses such as Audio and Television Production, and Stage Lighting.  When my schedule allowed it, I continued my travels to visit Deborah Harry performances.  Inevitably, Ms. Harry became not only an idol, but a mentor as well.

Though my studies in Ohio were interesting, I was not content, and I knew I had to pursue a more specialized education in order to enter my chosen field of Artist Management.  I desperately wanted to learn the "real" aspects of the Music Business, and New York seemed like a place to begin my quest.

I left my family and home in the Midwest to transfer from the large U.C. to a small college in Dix Hills - Five Towns College - which specialized in Commercial and Jazz Music Performance and offered Business Management degrees with concentrations in Performance, Audio Production, or Music Business.  There at Five Towns, I eagerly consumed the knowledge offered to me in tailored courses such as Concert Promotion and Artist Management, as well as Music Business Contracts, Publishing and Copyright, and Licensing.  The latter courses gave me my first taste of the legalities of the Music Business.  I excelled in areas of contracts, publishing and the like.  With encouragement from my professor, I first seriously considered making Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property Law my area of expertise.
 

My dream of working with my favorite artist Deborah Harry came true for me, as I completed my first Internship as an assistant under the Tour Manager on "The Jazz Passengers featuring Deborah Harry 1995 European Tour."  Consequently, I alone went along with the group as a substitute Tour Manager on the next two European trips during the Winter of `95/96 and the Summer of `96.

Our group traveled throughout England, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, and Austria.  I, with the guidance the Passengers's manager, had the responsibility of directing the travel, coordinating press interviews, advancing the shows, and handling most other aspects related to the concerts and touring.  I also worked with minor contract details between the Booking Agent and Promoters.  It was a difficult job - as I lacked experience - but I learned by watching and by doing as I practiced what I was learning at Five Towns College.

In love with New York and the Music Industry, I settled into a new life of learning and experiences.  My contacts with Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein gave me insight into record deals, contracts, licensing, and the like.  Ms. Harry's inspiration and enthusiasm for my studies allowed me every opportunity to experience the real "industry" of the Music Business.

I completed the courses required for my Bachelor of Professional Studies at Five Towns in December of `96.  Though I was unable to attend the May `97 graduation ceremony, I was the first nominated for class Valedictorian by the Dean, Dr. John Quinn, an outstanding member of the college faculty.

After much research into different Law Schools and their Curriculums, I decided that the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (in Manhattan) was my first and foremost choice in the continuance of my education.  The manager of the Jazz Passengers, also an Entertainment Attorney, had graduated from Cardozo and highly recommended it as well.  My choice was confirmed upon my visit to the school.  I believe Cardozo offers one of the strongest, most thorough and up-to-date programs in Intellectual Property and Entertainment Law.  Accepted with a partial merit scholarship, I began school in August `97.

After one year of living in Manhattan and attending Law School, briefly interning at RCA records, I discovered that the city was NOT for me.  Nor did I have the passion to continue my pursuit of law - entertainment or otherwise.  Though completing my first year in the top 15% of my class, I did an about-face and moved out of NYC back to my Cincinnati, Ohio home.

Now I am working for my father's advertising specialties company, trying desperately to pay off the loans accumulated during my educational pursuits.  A waste of time and money, these years spent in NY?  No!  I consider my experiences invaluable, and even necessary to my reaching this stage in my life.  Few people can say they traveled the world time over, both as a fan and part of a musical group, spent a time in New York, or attended Law School!  The cherished friendship that I have cultivated with Debbie Harry during this time means as much to me as life itself.

Though I miss the best that the city has to offer, and plan on returning to visit often, the noise, grime, and concrete piles are not my cup of tea.  My world is one of sunlight, forests, horses, and all the beauty and leisure of nature.

Will I pursue law again someday, in Ohio or in California?  Will I pursue law at all?  Will I reside in NY again someday, or will I move to beloved London?  Maybe I'll get more into web design, or computer graphics, or maybe I'll try to go on the road again.  Who knows, perhaps I'll end up studying the glyps of the Mayan ruins.  What is important is that I am true to myself and that I am happy.  Out of all my studies, this lesson was the hardest to learn