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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dimitri Jackson, Program Participant from Carnegie Hall B-Side Program
1:02:39
·
158 sec
Dimitri Jackson, a 22-year-old program participant from Carnegie Hall's B-Side Program, shared his experience as an international student pursuing a music career in New York City. He highlighted how the program provided direction, community, and industry connections that were crucial for his development as an artist.
- The B-Side program helped Jackson find a sense of identity and belonging in New York City
- The program offered opportunities to learn from industry professionals and connect with other young artists
- Jackson emphasized the importance of creating welcoming spaces for young people in the arts, citing the program's impact on his confidence and career path
Dimitri Jackson
1:02:39
Good morning, everyone.
1:02:40
Thank you again for having us here.
1:02:43
My name is Dimitri Jackson.
1:02:45
I'm 22.
1:02:46
I completed the b side last year in 2024.
1:02:50
I'm a songwriter.
1:02:51
I play piano.
1:02:52
I sing.
1:02:53
I also go to BMCC, which is right across the road from here.
1:02:59
So I first moved to New York City in August of 2023 to pursue school in music.
1:03:05
And, of course, when I got here, the ability the the desire to be an artist was something that was growing inside of me.
1:03:14
But, I realized that passion without a sense of direction sometimes feels like a shot in the dark.
1:03:21
And I first heard about the b side through a fellow classmate, great singer, former BMCC student named Andre who attended this program the year before me.
1:03:32
A short while later, Andre now goes to Berkeley College of Music on a full scholarship.
1:03:37
Wow.
1:03:39
And we are both members of the youth alumni council here at the b side.
1:03:44
As an international student, balancing academics with a career and a social life can be extremely difficult, not to mention living so far away from close friends and family.
1:03:56
But like Ian said, the community at the b side really welcomed me with warmth and acceptance from the very first day.
1:04:04
And this is something that I really wanted to stress the importance of because as something that most people in their early adolescence or early twenties struggle with is finding a sense of identity.
1:04:17
And in somewhere like New York, it's hard to.
1:04:22
But I have to say that Carnegie Hall has made me realize that I'm on the right path.
1:04:27
We all know the importance of music in our community, especially the impact it can have on young people.
1:04:33
As a young artist and musician myself, navigating the waters of the music industry was very overwhelming and daunting without the right environment.
1:04:42
The b side has provided me and people like Ian with the space to grow and learn from some of the best in the industry, and it has really been a phenomenal experience.
1:04:52
At first, I was worried that maybe I was, you know, biting off more than I could chew or perhaps underqualified.
1:05:00
But, like one of our great facilitators, miss Alexis, said, there's a space in the room for all of you.
1:05:06
And till this day, it's something that really sticks with me.
1:05:08
So thank you.
Carlina Rivera
1:05:12
Thank you so much, and congratulations on your success as well.
Dimitri Jackson
1:05:16
Thank you.