Music Business Students Turn Double Majors into Career-Launching Experiences

Meet three students charting their own path in music business 

The Decision to Double Major 

“Our music business students are incredibly driven, and many of them recognize early on that pairing this degree with another business discipline can expand both their perspective and their opportunities,” said Dr. Amy Smith, chair of music business. “We’ve seen students combine music business with areas like marketing, analytics, finance and more, and the results are impressive.” 

When Milton arrived at Belmont, she had already completed enough credits to graduate early. But rather than finish in three years,  she chose to add a marketing major. 

“My dream is to be a singer-songwriter,” she shared. “I wanted to learn how to promote myself as an artist and understand how marketing works on a larger scale.” 

Swafford reached a similar turning point her sophomore year, when her academic advisors helped her see the value of a double major. For her, the choice was simple.   

“I knew immediately that I wanted to stay and make the most of a four-year Belmont experience,” she said. “As someone who loves working with others, logistically looking at the big picture, organizing and making plans with a team, adding the management major just made sense.” 

Meanwhile, Buescher has been tailoring her degree path to support her goal of working in live events. "I’m passionate about turning data into experience, and my double major allows me to do exactly that in the live event industry,” she said. “As a solution-based thinker, it felt natural to add business systems and analytics (BSA) because I can use logical math-based reasoning in the decision-making process.” 

In an industry increasingly driven by data, a double major like Buescher’s empowers her to go beyond understanding how the industry works and learn the why. From streaming numbers to social media insights, today’s entertainment and music business belongs to those who can see the story behind the statistics and predict the market’s next move.  

“Data analysis is a unique skill most music industry professionals don't begin with, so my double major gives me an edge when it comes to applying for jobs,” she said. 

Bridging the Massey College of Business and Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, these students found a smooth, integrated experience where each college built on the other without redundancy.  

“My two disciplines have been connected in so many ways,” Milton said. “Since they are both BBA programs, the lower-level classes overlapped and allowed me to focus the rest of my degree on marketing electives.” 

This arrangement gives students the best of both worlds — making the most of the upper-level classes that make each major unique without having to repeat the foundational courses they’ve already mastered. 

Looking Ahead 

With a resume full of internships at the Country Music Association, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Country Radio Seminar and more, Milton is nearing the end of her time at Belmont with a clear direction and experience to back it up. 

“These years have shown me that I belong in this industry, and it's where I want to be after graduation,” she said. “Since completing two degrees, I have truly set myself up to go into the world of post-grad with confidence. That combination will set me apart.” 

Swafford echoed this confidence. “Having a BBA with specialties in music business and management will help ease the transition into my future role,” she said. “This extension of my education has helped set me up for success.” 

As a mentor to so many aspiring professionals, Dr. Smith has the privilege of seeing firsthand how intentional choices shape outcomes. “It’s been exciting to see how they combine disciplines in ways that strengthen both their creativity and their business acumen, positioning them for a wide range of opportunities in and beyond the music industry,” she said. 

By pairing passion with strategy, Milton, Buescher and Swafford are redefining what their degrees can offer: building customized paths that prepare them to lead in a rapidly evolving industry.