Music Careers in NYC

July 20-24, 2026 Rose Hill

Non-Credit Course

Music Careers in NYC explores the intersection of music, personal goals, and professional opportunities in New York City. Students will engage with the vibrant musical landscape of Fordham and NYC, addressing social issues, diversity, and inclusion in the arts. The course offers insights into music marketing, nonprofit management, copyright law, and performance, while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and empathy through songwriting and improvisation. Participants will connect personal and professional aspirations with the dynamic arts communities in and around NYC.

Skills/Learning Outcomes

Students will:

  • Explore how musicians and arts organizations at Fordham and in NYC are addressing social and political issues; promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion; building belonging and identity.
  •  Explore career opportunities in NYC and related course/extracurricular offerings at Fordham involving music marketing (including social media), nonprofit management and development, copyright and intellectual property law, music performance, and/or radio (recording/sound engineering, programming, broadcasting).
  • Build capacities for critical thinking, creativity, and empathy through songwriting, song analysis, and/or musical improvisation, and by clearly articulating and connecting personal/professional goals to music and/or arts communities at Fordham and in NYC.

Students will build lasting connections with fellow high school students, current Fordham students, Fordham alumni, and NYC musicians. These connections and the topics they explore in this course can inform their college and career choices. Students will also learn to listen to, analyze, improvise, and write music in new ways in response to issues that matter to them and the communities they explore.

Instructor Bio

Dr. Graham Johnson is an Instructional Designer at Fordham University, where he brings extensive experience in cultivating equitable and inclusive learning environments. With a strong background in both K–12 and higher education, Dr. Johnson has designed and taught courses across a wide range of subjects, including music, mathematics, English, and social studies, to students with diverse abilities and backgrounds. He taught music in New York City public schools for thirteen years, collaborating extensively with artists and educators at institutions including Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Harlem Stage, and Manhattan School of Music.

Dr. Johnson holds a Ph.D. in Innovation in Curriculum and Instruction from Fordham University. His research focuses on interdisciplinary STEAM education, creativity, and the deconstruction of oppressive power structures in education. In his role as an Instructional Designer, Dr. Johnson supports Fordham faculty in creating accessible, high-quality online courses that promote student engagement and success. He is committed to fostering educational environments that are responsive to the needs and strengths of all learners.

Course Details

Music Careers in NYC
July 20-26, 2026
9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Rose Hill Campus
Instructor: Graham Johnson

Course Number: SULA 0161 RN3
CRN: 16486

This non-credit course is open to high school students only.

Tuition

Residential: $2,086.00
Tuition for the residential program includes the course, course materials, housing, meals, and excursions in and outside of class. Move-in is Sunday afternoon, the day before classes begin. Please click here for a more detailed calendar of important dates.

Commuter: $1,418.00
Tuition for commuters includes the course, course materials, lunches, and excursions in and outside of class. Additional meals are available on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Students may wish to bring funds for incidentals, shopping at the Fordham Bookstore, souvenirs, and any personal items they wish to purchase.

 

Apply

Application deadlines:

Course and housing: May 1, 2026; course only: May 15, 2026. Please note that admission decisions are rolling until the class is full, and course caps are around 20 students. Apply by April 1, 2026 to be considered for a limited number of need-based discounts. We recommend early application.

Application Requirements: this non-credit course is open to high school students who have completed their first year. The course is recommended for those with a 3.0 or better. No prior experience with the subject matter is required.

To apply, you will need a copy of your high school transcript and your fall report card if the grades are not reflected on your transcript.

Please make note of the course details above because you will select your course as part of your application.

There is a $75 fee to apply and a $300 deposit to secure your seat. Housing requires a $50 deposit. All payments will be treated as deposits toward your final bill.

Apply

If you are not ready to apply, you can sign up to stay informed about the Fordham Summer Leaders Academy too, or email us with questions!

Immersion 3 Resident Move-In/Move-Out

Date  Resident Information
June 26 All medical forms and consents due
July 19 Move-in between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., all Immersion 2 students 
July 25 Move-out between 6 and 9 p.m., Immersion 2 One-Week students
July 31 Move-out before 10 a.m., Immersion 2 Two-Week students

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