The Balanced Musician: Sustainability, Strategy, and Self-Care (Part I)
Join us for “The Balanced Musician” – A Two-Part Talk Series at the Library for Arts & Culture!
Making music is one thing—making a living from it is another.
In the first session of this engaging panel series, a group of seasoned independent musicians and music industry professionals will share real-world insights on how to build a sustainable, fulfilling career as an indie artist.
Topics we'll explore:
Defining your own version of success
Balancing creativity with business—and avoiding burnout
Funding options and effective strategies
Authentic marketing in the digital age
The importance of mental and emotional wellness
Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up, this session offers practical guidance to help you thrive on your indie music journey.
Perfect for independent artists looking to define success on their own terms and thrive in today’s competitive music industry.
Have a question you’d love our panel to address? Use this form to submit it in advance of the event. We can’t guarantee every question will be answered during the live session, but we’ll do our best to incorporate recurring themes or especially relevant topics.
Submit your question here: https://forms.gle/bKxDE2Udg5zyRkzm7
Featuring Moderator: Marissa DeVito
A veteran of the music industry, Marissa brings deep experience from major labels and the music tech world. She’s led streaming strategy and commercial marketing for Republic Records, Island Records, Def Jam, and Motown, and spent nearly seven years at SoundCloud, eventually leading the Music Marketing and Curation team. In 2024, she launched her own music industry consulting business, offering strategy, marketing, and operations support to both for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
Social Media: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marissadevito/
Panelists:
Carolyn Ortiz is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Big.Ass.Kids, with over 15 years of experience in the music industry. She began her career as a publicist in New York City, specializing in emerging artists, sponsorships, and events. Her path in business development took shape at Chanel and Viacom, and in 2015, she joined Universal Music Group to help launch the first centralized brand partnerships team at a major label.
In 2021, Carolyn co-founded Big.Ass.Kids with industry veteran Le’Roy Benros. What began as a record label has since evolved into a full-scale music ecosystem, offering distribution, artist services, and a community resource hub.
Carolyn’s legacy, however, is rooted in her commitment to nurturing emerging talent and fostering mentorship. She has developed multiple internship programs, facilitated countless mentor-mentee relationships, and personally guided dozens of young professionals and aspiring entrepreneurs.
In recognition of her contributions, Carolyn received the Mentorship Award from Live Nation’s Femme It Forward program in November 2024. In September 2025, she will join NYU’s Clive Davis Institute as a mentor through its adjunct professor program.
Social Media:
Albert Cooke is a seasoned entertainment executive with over a decade of leadership experience, recognized for guiding both established and emerging talent to success. He began his career at Island Def Jam Music Group, where he helped shape marketing strategies that propelled top-charting artists. He later advanced to Manager of Artist Development at Def Jam, playing a key role in national tours and high-profile promotional campaigns.
Albert went on to serve as Senior Manager of Artist Relations at SoundCloud, where he built impactful industry partnerships and led innovative digital activations that helped reshape the platform’s creator ecosystem. As General Manager of Hillman Grad Records, he oversaw day-to-day operations and talent development, delivering music for prominent television and film projects.
Now working as a consultant, Albert draws on his deep expertise in creative operations and strategic planning to support artists and organizations in achieving long-term growth and success.
Social Media:
Drew de Leon is the Co-Founder and Chief Community Officer of The Digilogue, a global music and tech community committed to education, artist discovery, and industry connection. He also leads strategy for DigiLabs, The Digilogue’s digital marketing arm, which specializes in innovative campaigns for artists and music brands.
Drew is a partner at MPR Global, an independent music distribution company known for breaking Grammy-winning artist Muni Long, recognized for Best R&B Performance.
With over 15 years in the music industry, Drew previously served as Head of Digital Marketing at both Def Jam and Alamo Records, where he led digital strategy for a diverse roster including Rod Wave, Lil Durk, Nas, Teyana Taylor, Pusha T, Danileigh, Alessia Cara, and many others.
In 2010, he launched Blank Label, a music agency focused on artist development through digital marketing and brand partnerships. In 2016, Drew co-founded The Digilogue with a mission to give back—empowering independent artists, music professionals, and students through educational programming, career resources, and discovery-driven content.
Beyond music, Drew is an avid basketball and soccer fan, proudly supporting the New York Knicks and Liverpool FC. He embraces his Filipino heritage and values quality time with family and close friends.
Social Media:
Jenna LoMonaco is a seasoned digital marketing expert with over 17 years of experience using her passion for music and deep expertise in social media to help emerging artists break into the mainstream.
After studying audio production and working in a recording studio post-college, Jenna officially launched her career in 2005 with a role in PR at Girlie Action. In 2007, she joined the then-rising label Glassnote Records as Head of New Media, where she honed her skills in the digital space and played a pivotal role in the breakout success of artists like Mumford & Sons, Phoenix, and Childish Gambino.
Following five successful years at Glassnote, Jenna joined Kobalt Label Services as part of its newly formed label services team. There, she managed digital strategy for artists including Martina McBride, Lenny Kravitz, and New Kids on the Block.
In 2015, Jenna became Head of Digital Marketing at Island Records as it re-launched as a standalone label. One of her first major projects was developing the digital strategy for a young, newly signed artist—Shawn Mendes. Her innovative social media approach helped grow his online presence into the multi-millions. She also led digital marketing for a diverse roster including Jessie Reyez, Nick Jonas, The Killers, Elton John, Bon Jovi, Tove Lo, Fall Out Boy, and Demi Lovato.
In 2021, Jenna joined ONErpm to lead U.S. marketing. Under her leadership, the team has doubled in size, and she has expanded the company’s marketing services to include digital strategy, brand partnerships, and sync. Beyond overseeing U.S. efforts, she also coordinates global marketing and leads event programming across the company.
Jenna’s journey reflects her unwavering commitment to artist development and her ability to navigate the evolving digital landscape, making her a key force in helping artists realize their full potential.
Social Media:
Eliza Spear's sophomore album, PROTAGONIST, is a fitting title—though the story may be hers, anyone who listens can easily imagine themselves in the role of the hero.
Spear is known for presenting her music in unconventional spaces, seeking more meaningful connections with her audience than typical performances allow. The New York Protagonist Living Room Tour is exactly what it sounds like: Spear brings her arena-ready hooks to the intimacy of living rooms, capturing the raw spirit of the album’s most personal moments.
The Protagonist Project, a concept created by Spear, invites curious passersby to rediscover the lost art of live music in unexpected venues—through private, three-minute concerts that offer a taste of her unique sound.
Sponsored by the Business and Career Center.
