Breaking into the music industry has always been the dream for Durham College (DC) alumni Dan Hand and Kyle Wilton. Both graduates of DC’s Music Business Management (MBM) program, their paths crossed recently when Dan – an artist manager at Inside Pocket Music – officially signed Kyle’s band, Excuses Excuses and helped secure a deal with Known Accomplice Record Co., a Canadian label with an impressive roster of artists, including The Trews, Headstone and Sam Roberts Band.

“We’re thrilled to have two well-deserving alumni from the college’s Music Business Management program embracing what they’ve learned and seizing new opportunities,” said Greg Murphy, executive dean, School of Media, Art & Design. “We look forward to following along as they make their way in the competitive music industry.”

Hired directly from his third-year internship to an independent record label, Dan held multiple positions at the indie label before accepting a job at Universal Music Canada and opening his first artist management and services business, Cloud Empire Creative, in 2013. In 2016, Dan started his second artist management company while evolving Cloud Empire Creative into a corporate talent buying and booking business, which closed its doors last year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2017, Dan joined the Inside Pocket Music staff bringing his artist management roster with him.

Kyle has been navigating Canada’s grassroots music scene and developing his band since 2016. Following the self-release of three EPs and an extensive tour of Canada’s club circuit, Excuses Excuses was awarded a sound recording grant from The Foundation Assisting Canada Talent on Recordings (FACTOR) in January 2020, which opened many doors, including the opportunity to record their debut album.

For years, Kyle and Dan have been nurturing a successful working relationship, fostered by perseverance, creativity and a shared love for music. Prior to enrolling at DC, Kyle met Dan – who was already an alumnus of the MBM program – at a music showcase and kept in touch, often meeting at local performances and sharing his new music for feedback.

“In late 2019, Kyle approached me with new material, and it all just aligned and made sense,” said Dan. “The talent Kyle and his band had was undeniable, and after seeing how he worked to evolve and improve his craft over the years, I knew we could both bring something to the table.”

When it comes to their time in DC’s MBM program, both Dan and Kyle share an appreciation for the sense of community and support among the students.

“The nature of the MBM program helped immensely to always have the support of our peers and professors at local shows,” explained Kyle. “Completing the MBM program while establishing ourselves as a band helped me understand and navigate my rights as a creator, allowing me to apply the knowledge and ideas I learned in the program to my own reality.”

From an artist management perspective, Dan experienced real-world scenarios in the MBM program, taking full advantage of every opportunity in his third-year placement. From networking with guest speakers, to participating in on- and off-campus events, Dan was eager to dive into as many opportunities as possible, and develop meaningful relationships with his classmates and peers, who he knew would someday be his colleagues.

After overcoming many hurdles, Kyle is excited to see what the future holds for Excuses Excuses, and their new manager, Dan. “I am blown away by what our team has been able to accomplish and I’m looking forward to releasing our new record to the world and getting back on the road, stronger than ever,” said Kyle.

Since graduating from the Music Business Administration (MBA) program at Durham College (DC) in 2018, Thao Nghiem has been in tune with emerging trends in the Canadian and international music industries. Currently based in Toronto, Thao’s latest initiative as co-founder of the Vietnam Music Industry Network (VMIN) has introduced exciting opportunities to support the music industry in her native country while honouring her Vietnamese culture.

In June 2021, after three years of planning, Thao and her VMIN partners successfully launched the first annual Vietnam Music Week (VMW). With more than 250 attendees, this five-day virtual conference featured 30 guest speakers, companies and organizations, and offered engaging panel discussions, keynote presentations and success stories.

“It’s rewarding to see our grads applying the skills they’ve learned at Durham College and establishing themselves as respected professionals in the music industry,” says Greg Murphy, dean, School of Media, Art & Design (MAD).

The inspiration for VMW was sparked by her involvement with the VMIN community, which offers access to free, industry-related news and resources, job boards, events and other exclusive opportunities.

“Popular music and its consumption are at a fever pitch in Vietnam and many other Asian countries, and my partners and I were inspired to provide a platform for education, collaboration and networking that could lead to growth for individual music creators and the Vietnamese music industry,” explains Thao. “The more I learned about Canadian and international music industries, the clearer the opportunities became to apply my knowledge and support my music community back home.”

Thao has been working as a Label Licensing and Royalty Liaison at the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) in Toronto. Representing music rights holders and offering various licensing services, her role has helped build a foundation for her own entrepreneurial ventures. Her mentor, Tony Sutherland, a professor in DC’s MBA program, participated as a guest speaker during VMW, leading a series of workshops, such as: Composition, Copyright, and Music Education; Music Applications Outside the Industry; and Musical Performance and Advertising Collaboration.

“Vietnam Music Week is a great initiative that fosters collaboration and education,” says Tony Sutherland. “Together, with industry professionals from across the globe, attendees gain insights about the current music industry landscape and potential opportunities for growth.”

During her time at DC, Thao developed meaningful connections on campus and in the community, acting as co-founder and co-director of the Oshawa Music Awards, an event dedicated to celebrating music and talent within Durham Region.

“My experience in the MBA program at Durham College was my gateway into the music industry,” explains Thao. “The experienced faculty members were encouraging and supportive, and I especially benefitted from the hands-on experiences offered through workshops and practicum.”

With planning already underway for next year, Thao and her team are excited to shape VMW into an annual event for those who are interested in learning, collaborating and fostering the growth of the music industry in Vietnam and beyond.

In February 2020, a group of Durham College (DC) students spent five days in Las Arrugas, Guatemala – a small, remote Mayan village – as part of a Faculty-led Classroom Abroad. During that time and following the trip, the students undertook media projects inspired by their visit – two of which were recently recognized with accolades from the 2021 Canadian Media Educators (CME) National Student Awards.

Ryan Beaton, a Video Production student, and Tara Sottile, a Journalism – Mass Media student, won in the Best Corporate/Client-Based Production category for their video We Are SOS, which was produced for the organization Students Offering Support. In addition, Meagan Secord, a Journalism – Mass Media student, won Best Podcast or Current Affairs Show for her powerful podcast Les Femmes: Strong Women Aren’t Born, They’re Raised, which looks at the impact of the Guatemalan civil war on the women who are now mothers in Las Arrugas. The podcast has also been shared online by Global Affairs Canada’s Fund for Innovation and Transformation

“These awards underscore the transformative impact that Faculty-led Classrooms Abroad and experiential learning opportunities have on our students,” said Danielle Harder, a former CBC journalist and a professor in the School of Media, Art & Design. “Their understanding of Guatemala, its people and its culture is reflected in the high-calibre pieces Ryan, Tara and Meagan produced, and I’m thrilled that their work has been recognized.”

Faculty-led Classroom Abroad opportunities at DC involve students travelling with a faculty member to another country. These for-credit programs are typically 10 to 12 days in length, and faculty members, in cooperation with DC’s International Education office, customize unique learning experiences that aim to bridge the curriculum with the local culture and teach students the skills needed to adapt, thrive and succeed in an increasingly globalized world.

The CME National Student Awards program recognizes and rewards the unique combination of creativity and technical excellence demonstrated by students in radio, television/video, new media/animation, game design and photography programs taught in CME member institutions.