Lane Marie O’Kelley guides students through the Music Business Program
Seeing students succeed is music to Lane Marie O’Kelley’s ears — sometimes literally and sometimes figuratively.
As associate director of the Terry College of Business’ Music Business Program, she’s helping them find their niche in the music industry, whether that’s on stage or behind the scenes.
“When I get to see students meet their milestones and their goals, it is the most fulfilling thing,” she said. “I learn so much from them, and then I get to cheer them on while they’re here and after they graduate.”
And O’Kelley knows exactly what they need. While earning her bachelor’s degree in voice from the Hugh Hodgson School of Music in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, she also earned her own Music Business Certificate. As she went through the program, she began writing her own music and interned with a local record label.
“When I did the Music Business Program, it was like finding that music niche I had been looking for but hadn’t found yet,” she said. “When I started to learn all the different facets of the music industry and how you can curate a unique and exciting career, I was so encouraged. I came alive because I realized that I can actually make a career out of this.”
After graduating, she took a position as a student affairs professional in the Music Business Program. It allowed her to keep a foot in the program she loves while making an impact on the next generation of music professionals and continuing to learn about the music industry herself. She’s been associate director for just over a year.
“I’m able to have a front-row seat to all of the industry changes while continuing my own work as an artist,” she said.
The program lets students take a peek at and get experience in all areas of the music industry — artist management, tour management, marketing, publishing, record labels and more. That allows students who can’t hit a high note or play an instrument to still find a place in it. The program only accepts 100 students each year for capstone classes, which creates a tight-knit community.
“The music industry is still a lot about who you know. So, while you’re in school, you’re meeting future peers and business partners,” she said.
That also creates a strong network of alumni who continue to give back by recruiting graduates and coming back to campus to give MBUS Talks, which O’Kelley helps coordinate.
Engaging with alumni is just one aspect of O’Kelley’s role. She also leads the program’s communications efforts, plans events, works with Terry’s development officers and advises students. On a daily basis, she’s handling emails, working with students and taking care of other administrative tasks.
It is the students O’Kelley enjoys most about her role. Because the Music Business Program is open to all majors, she interacts with students studying a wide variety of areas, from journalism to psychology to even health sciences.
“It’s so fun because we get students with all different kinds of personalities and backgrounds,” she said. “We do what we can to give everyone in the music community a place to thrive, find their passion and feel safe in their learning environment.”
O’Kelley’s own love of music began as a child, singing in the backseat and taking a microphone to every Career Day. She continues to record in her home studio, aiming to release a full-length album and one day go on her own headlining tour. For now, she enjoys performing live on regional weekend tours. When she’s not doing something related to music, she’s spending time with her family, reading a book that grabbed her attention and enjoying good food.
For O’Kelley, the most important thing is the community music creates. “Music is a community endeavor,” she said. “Again, it’s the people, it’s the community, it’s experiencing it together, and I think the Music Business Program does that really well.”