BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Amari Kelly, 18, an aspiring filmmaker, hopes to one day create a music video that rivals the talent of Cole Bennett.
Bennett is a well-known music video director and the brains behind one of Kelly’s favorites — "What happened to Virgil" by rappers Lil Dirk and featuring Gunna.
"Growing up, I would watch MTV and think to myself, 'I can do something better than that,'" Kelly, 18, a Nazareth Are High School senior, said.
Kelly was among hundreds of students who participated in ArtsQuest’s Music Industry Day on Monday, April 7.
"There’s free programming, ticketed programming... It’s unique and unlike the typical Live Nation or large stadium."Grace Obert, ArtsQuest's programming administrator
Grace Obert, ArtsQuest's programming administrator, said the event, in its second year, aims to give students a chance to connect with ArtsQuest employees in the music programming, production and other arts non-profit sectors.
During the first half of the day Monday, students heard from members of the music programming team, who are responsible for booking bands and artists at ArtsQuest.
That includes those who perform at Musikfest, which will celebrate its 42nd year in August.
“We introduced students to what goes on behind the scenes and what we must decide before booking," Obert said. "We have five members of the music programming team, and everyone has a different role.
"There’s free programming, ticketed programming. We also introduced them to what an arts nonprofit is like. It’s unique and unlike the typical Live Nation or large stadium."
'Hopefully become famous'
Students from Liberty, Lehigh Valley Charter Arts, Nazareth, Warren Hills, Pennridge, Central Bucks West, Notre Dame, LaSalle College and Northern Lehigh high school and Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School participated.
While some youth signed up to attend the industry event, having already decided to pursue a career in music or the arts, others were just curious.
Eli Spencer of Notre Dame High School said he was keen to explore the career path.
“I wanted to come to expand my horizons and learn about different career paths," Spencer, 16, said.
"I don’t plan to attend a college specializing in music or production. Still, I definitely would like to learn more about what I can do in the future.”
Andres Peralta, 15, has a few more years until he graduates from high school, but said he's already considering a college specializing in music and film.
"I might go to Bucks Community College's Upper Bucks Campus because they have a lot of music classes," he said.
He attends Pennridge High School and is a member of Rock University, a music club at the Perkasie school.
The secondary school also has a guitar student and a rock band class.
"Today I learned more about what it's like to schedule a band and make sure you have the right amount of money, and how to make a profit. I never really thought about the financial aspect before."Pennridge High school student Andreas Peralta
"We get to play in a band, put on a bunch of different shows, and schedule the shows," Peralta said.
"Today I learned more about what it's like to schedule a band and make sure you have the right amount of money, and how to make a profit.
"I never really thought about the financial aspect before."
Kelly, who will attend East Stroudsburg University, also hopes to pursue a career in the music industry, albeit behind the scenes.
"I like making films and using my ideologies to create video art and films," Kelly said. "So I look forward to learning more about that, and hopefully become famous doing it."
