Queensborough’s Music Production Students Traveled to the Music Industry’s Most Prestigious Convention, the 2025 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show
Thousands of people from around the world gathered at the 2025 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, held on January 21-25 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.
Among those attending were four students in Queensborough’s Music Production program.
“It was so exciting to meet new people from the music industry and all over,” said Juliette Mejia, who commutes to Queensborough from Williamsburg, Brooklyn. “This experience inspired my ambition to be a recording engineer.”
Juliette first played guitar in her junior year of high school. “I learned about all the different careers you can have in music production. My guidance counselor suggested I look into QCC’s music production program. It was a great decision to come here.” Juliette will graduate in May 2025.
“This is just the beginning of what will be a great launching pad for my students who accompanied me to NAMM," said Professor Ernie Jackson, Co-Director of the Music Production program. "This convention has a heavy education focus because schools are adding more music technology to the classroom. There is everything at this convention you could imagine, from the latest, greatest products and software to band instruments, engineers, influencers, and producers. I wanted students to see the west coast mentality.”
Melissa Cockburn, who commutes to Queensborough from the Bronx, was initially accepted to an arts program at a private college in Florida but the tuition was high, so she checked out what CUNY had to offer and zeroed in on Queensborough’s music production program. “I fit in perfectly here and have lots of friends. I am a vocalist and loved watching well-known artists demonstrate the new equipment.” Melissa will graduate in May 2025 and plans to continue her education at a four-year school.
Another spring 2025 graduate, DeAndre McGuire, says he was not sure if college was for him. His father encouraged DeAndre to give Queensborough a chance. “In my first semester I studied music theory and right away started meeting people with common interests. This was a huge opportunity to be part of something that will change my life.”
“This was a special way to cap off all I have learned in this amazing music production program,” said Selemon Sharifi, who graduated in December and plans to pursue a career in the audio-video industry.
Ernie Jackson, a tenured professor, is an accomplished guitarist and music educator. He teaches guitar, music production and audio engineering. He has long-standing industry connections including with the international sales and marketing leader, KORG USA. Many of the instruments utilized in the Music Production program are KORG instruments purchased through a Perkins grant that provides funds to eligible institutions to supplement their career and technical education programs. This may include funding professional and support staff, and purchasing equipment, supplies and materials.
Last year, sitting in the audience during a music production concert was a good friend of Ernie’s, a representative of KORG. “I was completely surprised and delighted to see him,” said Ernie. “He was extremely impressed by what he heard, and the next day called me to bring a few students with me to NAMM.
Queensborough students, wearing QCC badges, volunteered at the KORG exhibit-a huge area that highlighted products, synthesizers, and keyboards. They assisted with set-up and answered general questions and mingled with product specialists.
“NAMM is a dazzling conglomeration of marketing, performance, and production,” said Ernie. “An immersive experience our students will never forget.
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