Date of Award
Spring 5-25-2026
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Fine Art (M.F.A.)
Department
Conservatory of Music
Language
English
First Advisor
Angela Piva
Abstract
Music has always been more than a creative outlet for me; it is a reflection of identity, emotion, discipline, and the way I move through the world. Long before it became a profession or an academic pursuit, music functioned as a language through which I could process experience, express love, and make sense of both joy and struggle. As I progressed through this program, it became increasingly clear that my artistic development and professional aspirations were evolving simultaneously. What began as separate goals, creating an album and establishing a music production company, ultimately became inseparable. Each process informed and strengthened the other, revealing that creative expression and entrepreneurial structure are not opposing forces but essential partners in building a sustainable artistic life.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Atherton-Henry, Taylor, "No Excuses. All Ownership. Music as meaning, Business as Longevity" (2026). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/bc_etds/34
