Seaver College's Fine Arts Division Launches Innovative Connection Platform to Benefit Undergraduate and Alumni Musicians
Seaver College’s Fine Arts Division recently launched Hire A Pepperdine Musician, a dynamic new experiential learning initiative that helps aspiring performers develop their musical talents, hone their contract negotiation skills, and earn extra income through professional gigs. Created this year by assistant professor of voice, Natalie Buickians, the University-branded musician connection platform has already succeeded in creating new opportunities for Seaver College undergraduates and alumni.
“I launched this initiative to ensure our students and alumni have the tools and relationships they’ll need to thrive as working musicians after graduation,” says Buickians. “As a liberal arts institution, we focus on holistic education. This program reflects that. We’re not just training exceptional performers—we’re shaping young entrepreneurs who are building their own brands.”
In recent years students emerging from top conservatories and music programs around the US expressed that their education, while sound, did not prepare them for the practical experience of being a professional performer. Buickians notes this gap stems from academia’s traditional focus on musical theory and technique, often overlooking the business side of the industry. At Seaver College, this trend is coming to an end.
Hire a Pepperdine Musician empowers students and alumni to make a living from their musical expertise by equipping them with the essential skills necessary to successfully gig. Gigging, or making a living by fulfilling short, one-off performance contracts, is an essential practice for nearly all musicians. Seaver College’s new platform creates gig opportunities for students and alumni by offering Pepperdine instrumentalists and vocalists the chance to perform for external clients at specific events.
Buickians manages performance requests solicited through the website and collaborates with faculty members in the Fine Arts Division to select the appropriate student artist. Once chosen, the student, guided by faculty mentors, manages the request from start to finish, which even includes negotiating the performance contract—an overlooked but vital skill musicians must develop.
“It’s important that students understand the market value of their services and feel confident sitting across the table to negotiate,” says Buickians. “Negotiating is tough for any adult, and most of us are never formally trained in it. That’s something we’re changing here.”
This initiative is already jump-starting undergraduates’ and Seaver College alumni’s music careers in the local, competitive Los Angeles market. Buickians reports that the relatively new connection platform has also shed light on potential avenues of expansion.
“In the future, I’d love to explore interdisciplinary partnerships with the business and law schools,” she says. “There’s so much potential to expand this program and build bridges across the University. Hire a Pepperdine Musician positions us perfectly to do that.”
A seasoned vocalist herself, Buickians completed her studies at the Eastman School of Music. Her most recent performances took her all the way to Shanghai, China, where, at the invitation of the Shanghai Conservatory and in conjunction with the Shanghai Opera House, she gave two recitals. This experience as an esteemed vocal artist provides Buickians with a fresh perspective on how to best educate Seaver College’s own rising musicians.
“Our students are ready,” she says. “It’s really all about giving them real-world opportunities to shine.”