Meet some of our music majors.
Deior Gross ’25
Hometown: Minden, LA
Major: music (composition)
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere?
In 2023, I participated in the Undergraduate Research Center’s Summer Research Program conducting research for the music department. I was mentored by Professor Stephen Hudson along with two other music students. My research focus was on incongruity theories applied to the hip-hop subgenre known as trap music. Though rhythmic and timbral analysis is a fun endeavor on its own, what stood out about my research was exploring the intersection of music, academia and wider social conditions. Professor Hudson’s experience in metal music studies helped guide me in recognizing implicit biases in popular music research. My Senior Comprehensive project builds directly on my summer research focusing on traps' influence on film scoring.
Occidental’s music department has an intimacy that allows me to approach the art from several angles at once.
What do you find most compelling about studying music?
Each semester I find new ways to approach music that I’ve loved for a long time. As a composer, my default mode is to understand what aspect of a piece generates a certain sensation or emotion. However, my broad exposure to performance, electronic production, recording, conducting, and more have opened my eyes to the endless factors beyond a composer’s original intent that lead to a final musical product. My Senior Comprehensive project, for example, is as much about the cultural signifiers within certain subgenres of hip-hop as the material limitations that bred innovative production techniques. Occidental’s music department has an intimacy that allows me to approach the art from several angles at once.
What is the “vibe” of the music department?
According to some of my friends, the Music Department “never sleeps”. While many afternoons in the Booth Courtyard are quiet, one can easily spend a full week attending student and faculty events including guest lectures, performances, and off-campus events. For a college of our size, the sheer activity of our department is incredible, with many events being student-led.
For a college of our size, the sheer activity of our department is incredible, with many events being student-led.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in music?
Explore! The music department is large and diverse and while one may think they know what concentration they prefer, that should never pigeonhole their course choices. Attending random department events and chatting with professors early on helped narrow down what I most wanted out of the music major.
Cleo McKenzie ’24
Hometown: Prairie Grove, AR
Major: music (production)
Can you describe your working relationships with music professors? Are there any standout classes you’ve taken?
The music production faculty are all amazing at what they do, and they’re incredibly supportive of a wide variety of creative musical visions. As an artist who enjoys working in more experimental mediums, I loved that I was pushed to work and produce outside of my comfort zone during my time at Oxy. My favorite classes have been Music Business with Ramona Gonzelez, Sampling and Synthesis with Max Foreman, and The Ethics and Aesthetics of Sampling with Shanna Lorenz.
Have you taken part in any student research opportunities at Oxy or elsewhere?
Last year, I participated in Oxy’s Summer Research Program in preparation for my senior comps project. This semester, I’ve been working to fine-tune that project one-on-one with Professor Lorenz through the Student Research Assistantship Program. My research blends feminist studies with musicology, examining gendered musical practices within the online hyperpop community. Through my work, I’ve been able to interview some of my favorite artists and gain insights about their personal musical practice. It’s been an incredibly rewarding process, and I hope to publish my findings sometime within the next few months.
As an artist who enjoys working in more experimental mediums, I loved that I was pushed to work and produce outside of my comfort zone during my time at Oxy.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy?
Ramona Gonzalez’s music industry course set me on the path I’m on today. Post-graduation, I hope to work at a record label or PR firm, helping cultivate and advance the creative visions of other artists. During my time at Oxy, I fell in love with the aesthetic, political, and poetic worlds surrounding contemporary popular music. Eventually, I wish to attend graduate school and pursue a PhD in musicology.
Paulson Cheung ’24
Hometown: Hong Kong
Major: music (vocal performance)
What was your motivation to major in music?
Because of COVID, my first year was spent on Zoom, but one class that truly saved that experience for me was Introduction to Music Business. For our final project, we were put into groups to create original music with a marketing plan alongside it. Figuring out an artistic vision and working on an EP with talented classmates shaped my perspective of what college life could be, and was the reason why I chose to major in music.
Oxy students are curious people willing to share their own perspectives and tastes while absorbing yours as well.
What is the “vibe” of the music department?
The department fosters a lot of communication and collaboration with fellow majors, which I really appreciate. Whenever I work with another student who sings a different style or plays other instruments I am instantly inspired to grow with them. Oxy students are curious people willing to share their own perspectives and tastes while absorbing yours as well. It is an incredible feeling to play with friends that you’ve known for years and making art that didn't exist the day before.
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in music?
This major can be hard at times because of all the requirements, but they all add up to build community and strong support systems. I encourage everyone to reach out to other creatives and work with them as much as possible, it will only help sharpen your skills and confirm your strengths!
Lily Pesikoff ’26
Hometown: Houston, TX
Major: music (production)
Minor: linguistics
Can you describe your working relationships with music professors?
All of the professors in the department are incredibly attentive and work well with students. Personally, I have loved getting to learn from Professor Max Foreman and taking his Recording Techniques class. While I have only taken that one course with him, he has become a big part of my life in music and LA in general. More often than not, I’ll send him an email asking for food recommendations around the area and he will ALWAYS respond with the most in-depth answers. He is a great professor too and truly cares about his craft and his students.
The professors are more than willing to work one-on-one with students to create opportunities for them to thrive
Do you have any advice for a student considering a major in music?
I went into the music production major with zero production experience and found myself dealing with imposter syndrome when surrounded by my classmates who had years of experience and knowledge on the topic. At first, I was wildly insecure, but over the years I have learned that my music experience via being in bands, writing music, booking shows, playing the drums, etc. also brings something helpful to the table. I would advise everyone in the department to just feel confident about why they want to pursue music. We all have different skills and everyone is important in some way.
What are your ambitions post-Oxy?
After Oxy I would like to end up in the music industry in A&R or management, but being a professional songwriter would be pretty cool (that would be the dream). Taking a wide range of classes at Oxy has helped me expand my knowledge about what is out there to dive into. I have learned about more professions and ways to break into the industry by being around all of these professors who took different paths to get to where they are today. The professors are more than willing to work one-on-one with students to create opportunities for them to thrive or even share a contact to help us connect.
To see more Meet Our Majors profiles, visit the main page.
