Introduction to Careers in Music featured speakers include Grammy nominated American singer-songwriter, Ellis Hall and musical artist and American Idol Top 40 Contestant, Shayy Winn

NEWTON, Massachusetts (July 6, 2020) – The Carroll Center for the Blind launched an innovative new Introduction to Careers in Music summer program today—a first-of-its-kind virtual career development program for youth with visual impairments interested in exploring careers in the music field. Music industry professionals with visual impairments representing different visual conditions, cultures and musical careers will mentor students via digital conferencing. Guest speakers include Ellis Hall, Shayy Winn, Josh Sebek, Matthew Shifrin, Allie Kadell-Peltier, Jill Buchanan, Alex Krauth and Bill McCann. The program will allow participants to connect with prominent music industry creatives, serving as invaluable resources for information, advice, and exploration across a range of music careers and topics.

“It isn’t all about instruments—it is about careers and what you do in those careers,” says Ben Kosty, a program participant from Marblehead, MA. “I discovered sound engineering and mixing which I hadn’t known much about before.”

Through this groundbreaking new program, students will explore a wide array of career paths in music. These will include areas such as performing, composing, music therapy, teaching, talent management, audio engineering & associated technologies.

“Musical talent and vision impairment are closely linked, but not everyone is on the path to be the next Stevie Wonder,” says Dina Rosenbaum, Chief Program Officer at the Carroll Center for the Blind. “By connecting these talented students with role models who can share valuable life experiences in the music industry, we’re able to help them learn about the different paths to a career in music and determine if one might be in their future.”