A business providing economical professional audio and video recordings for musicians and another teaching novice drum students took home the top prizes in the University of North Texas’ second Music Entrepreneurship Competition.
Undergraduate and graduate students from UNT’s College of Music competed April 22 for more than $19,000 in cash prizes. Through the contest, the university hopes to enrich the North Texas arts and student business community, according to Fabiana Claure, UNT’s director of career development and entrepreneurship in music.
Dr. Angela Breeching, Stan Levenson, Deborah Brooks, and Kristin Yost judged the students’ business plans. First place graduate and undergraduate track winners won $5,000; second place received $2,500; third place and honorable mention winners took home $1,000 each.
Here’s a look at the winners:
GRADUATE TRACK
First prize: Sus-4 Productions
Sus-4 Productions, by Drew Sutherland, offers professional video and audio recordings for musicians, fit for every budget. He can even live stream a performance for his clients.
Second prize: Collab Source
Collab Source, created by Johanna Stull, is an app linking classical musicians and collaborative pianists to strengthen musicians’ professional careers.
Third prize: Unique Studios
Unique Studios, by Matthew Fallesen, is a community performance and educational venue for various areas of interest including dance, fitness, fashion, theater, art, music and unique cuisine.
UNDERGRADUATE TRACK
First prize: The Beginner’s Guide to the Drum Set
The Beginner’s Guide to the Drum Set, created by Ben Ehrlich, teaches novice drum students everything they need to know about playing the drums.
Second prize: Velvet Fog
Velvet Fog, by Stephanie Hansen, is a venue, taproom, and business collective in Minneapolis that cultivates the artist community in the area.
Third prize: FINKTank
FINKTank, by Sara Finkle, is a coworking space specifically geared toward musicians.
HONORABLE MENTION
Shed Light Inc.
Shed Light Inc., by Albert Harris, seeks to cultivate and support positive role models in the entertainment industry and break down negative stereotypes, particularly in the genre of hip hop. Harris also won the Sweetwater Sound, Inc Audience Choice Award, earning another $1,000.
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