“A lot of folks want to get into the music industry, but most do not know what that means,” remarked Joe Giordano Jr., the assistant general manager of Tulsa’s BOK Center. But, he went on to say, that’s not the case with Natalie Dankert, a senior in The University of Tulsa’s Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) Management program.
According to Giordano, “in my short time getting to know Natalie over the last couple of months, it is apparent to me that she is made for the music and entertainment business. I have been impressed with Natalie’s desire to succeed, and to really understand the ins and outs of the industry.”
So, what is it about Dankert that is so remarkable and what has she accomplished that so impressed Giordano?
Music Industry Panel
During the fall semester, Dankert coordinated and moderated a unique Music Industry Panel at TU. With the support of Applied Assistant Professor of ACE Management Samuel Krall and in partnership with the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture (Tulsa FMAC), Dankert spearheaded this event, which brought together a diverse group of music industry professionals: Tea Rush, musician and founder of Rush Music Festival; Scott Bell, Guthrie Green’s audio engineer; and Joe Giordano Jr. of the BOK Center. The panel’s aim was to inform TU students about the Tulsa music industry by learning about the panelists’ career pathways and everyday work life, while also learning more about the local scene’s exciting developments.
“Thanks to Natalie’s hard work and the support of Tulsa FMAC, our students were provided a deep dive into Tulsa’s fastest-growing industry,” noted Krall. “Students learned industry insights, asked engaging questions, networked with the panelists, signed up to volunteer at upcoming events and even handed their résumés directly to a recruiter from the BOK.” To top it off, Giordano generously gave the students tickets to the Oct. 31 LANY concert at the BOK.
“I’ve come to really count on Natalie,” Krall remarked. “She delivers on every project with enthusiasm, professionalism and creativity. This panel was right in line with her caliber of work.”
Experiential excellence
Dankert, who — in addition to her second major in marketing — is pursuing a minor in advertising, worked on this panel as part of her fall internship with Tulsa FMAC. “My passion has always been to work in the music business,” said Dankert. “But it wasn’t until my junior year that I declared ACE Management as a second major. Since then, ACE Management has given me the ability to really focus on my dream career. The program’s requirement to complete multiple internships and practica has introduced me to new people, taught me technical and interpersonal skills and really pushed me to jumpstart my career.”
Besides organizing the panel, Dankert has tackled many projects as Tulsa FMAC’s music + writing Intern. Her main projects were helping with multiple tasks in support of the Tulsa Music Strategy as well as writing posts for the organization’s blog. “My time interning has helped me grow my network and plan out the change I hope to make in the Tulsa music scene,” Dankert remarked. It was also the perfect follow-on and complement to her summer internship with ICM partners, one of the world’s leading talent agencies.
“Natalie’s energy for the music industry is infectious,” said Abby Kurin, executive director of Tulsa FMAC. “She is eager to learn and brings a stellar work ethic to every aspect of her internship. For our first event collaboration with TU’s ACE Management program, Natalie created material to promote the music industry-focused panel, coordinated with panelists and flawlessly executed the event as moderator. We’re so pleased to work with Natalie – she is a rockstar intern!”
With a spring 2022 graduation now in view, Dankert says she is “thankful my TU education has allowed me to focus on my dreams of making a successful career in the music industry.” Indeed, she is currently pondering job opportunities in New York City and Tulsa. “For now, I’m comparing and contrasting those options, plus praying a whole lot. I’m excited for life after college and I have faith that I will wind up where I need to be.”
Experiential learning of the kind Natalie Dankert has enjoyed is at the heart of TU’s Arts, Culture and Entertainment (ACE) Management program. Chart your exciting pathway today!