Transforming the Music Sector Through Internship Offerings
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In the vibrant world of music, one young woman is making waves, not just as a performer, but as an advocate for change. Madison Dorsett, a fourth-year music performance major at UCLA's Herb Alpert School of Music, is using her platform to create opportunities for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) female and gender non-conforming brass players.
Dorsett's journey began when Eileen L. Strempel, the inaugural dean of The Herb Alpert School of Music, recommended her for a summer internship opportunity at Full Stop Management. This internship, which Dorsett was selected for, has provided her with a significant learning opportunity, particularly in finance, as she now oversees day-to-day scheduling and budgeting for a variety of projects.
In addition to her role at Full Stop Management, Dorsett is also an intern with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. However, it is her work with the Chromatic Brass Collective, a non-profit she helped create, that truly sets her apart. As the Chromatic Brass Collective's vice president of operations, Dorsett is dedicated to establishing a "new normal" in the music industry.
The Chromatic Brass Collective was inspired by Dorsett's encounter with percussionist Kristen Klehr, who runs The Den Collective. The Collective includes UCLA alumni and has a mission to build a community for BIPOC female and gender non-conforming brass players from across the country. Dorsett hopes the Chromatic Brass Collective will be a space where these individuals can feel a sense of belonging in these spaces.
Dorsett's work with both organizations aims to expand her understanding of how to build musical brands from the ground up. As the only BIPOC member in her cohort at Full Stop Management, she found it empowering to have a voice at the table.
The clients represented by Full Stop Management include globally renowned artists such as Lizzo, Harry Styles, and Gwen Stefani. The dean's board of advisors at UCLA, one of whose goals is to connect students with opportunities that prepare them for careers in the global music business, played a crucial role in Dorsett's journey.
In 2020, Dorsett, along with a school of music classmate, formed the school's first Undergraduate Student Advisory Board. This board was created to bridge communication between faculty and students, particularly in a remote setting.
As Dorsett prepares to graduate, she plans to continue performing and focusing on her work at the Chromatic Brass Collective. Her dedication to advocating for inclusion and expanding opportunities for underrepresented groups in the music industry is a testament to her passion and vision for the future of music.
Madison Dorsett, recognizing the lack of representation for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) female and gender non-conforming brass players in the music industry, has been using her platforms, including her roles at Full Stop Management and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, as well as the Chromatic Brass Collective, a non-profit she co-founded, to ensure career development and self-development opportunities for these individuals in the field of entertainment, with a particular focus on music. Her efforts strive to bring about a change in the future of the music industry, making it more inclusive and diverse.
