Syrena Hjelmgren arrived in Denver in fall 2023 with a dream: She wanted to work in the music industry. She also knew she didn’t want to be the person performing on stage. She got a sneak peek of what her future career could look like through opportunities like helping behind the scenes at two national music festivals and attending the official Grammys afterparty—all thanks to her CU Denver education. “Having opportunities to work for many of my dream employers, including labels and music festivals, before even leaving school has been an incredible experience, and one I never expected to have in college,” she said.
Today, Hjelmgren is preparing to graduate with a bachelor of science in music business. The College of Arts & Media (CAM) helped her discover she could work in her dream industry without having to sing or play a musical instrument, and she is well positioned to land a job in marketing or as a junior representative for a record label.
She credits her engaging faculty members, like Associate Professor of Music and Entertainment Studies Storm Gloor, who took time to discuss CAM’s music business program and how it fit her goals—even before she was a student. CU Denver’s location in the heart of a vibrant music scene also helped connect her to real-world experiences. “Here in Denver, there are many music industry opportunities, especially for individuals looking to work in live music,” Hjelmgren said.
At CU Denver, she found that the music industry curriculum sets students up for success and provides connections for them to put their knowledge to use. She took advantage of many opportunities that helped her use her skills outside of the classroom, like serving as a leader in the Music Industry Student Association and at the Denver Lynx Radio. “It takes getting involved, whether that be in student organizations, a job, or an internship to fully make the most of your time as a student,” Hjelmgren said. “If you only show up to your classes, put minimal effort into your coursework, and immediately leave campus without any other involvement, you will be missing out on valuable experiences to network and learn.”
Hjelmgren also got involved in nationally recognized programs in the music industry, including the music festivals Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wis., and Ravinia in Highland Park, Ill., as well as GRAMMY U for aspiring music industry professionals. As a GRAMMY U Ambassador, she traveled to Los Angeles for Grammy Week, where she volunteered for the membership-based organization Recording Academy and attended the Grammy Awards afterparty.
She did all this while keeping a 4.0 GPA, which helped earn her the Lamond GenNext Award that recognizes college students who demonstrate excellence in the music field. But working toward her degree hasn’t always been easy, she said. Balancing classwork with paid and unpaid opportunities took a lot of work and late nights completing assignments. The experiences, the support of her faculty and peers in CAM, and the community she found made it all worth it.
Now, Hjelmgren is excited for what’s ahead in her next chapter. “Seeing my peer group that is out of college actively gaining music industry employment, or creating their own opportunities for themselves and artists, is incredibly inspiring,” she said. “I think it gets to the heart of what music is and why I love it, which is a tool for self-expression and community that will exist and thrive whether it is nurtured by a larger audience or not.”