Live Pitch: 2025 Running Start Competition

 

See student entrepreneurs in action as they pitch their innovative projects and music business ideas to a live audience and panel of judges. Winners can earn up to $3,000 to fund their projects. Members of the audience are invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award.

Live Pitch Presenters

Zhang, Zongheng  |  Loneliness Amplified: Reimagining Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine

Cory Doran  | Creating Accessibility in Music Performance: The First Method Book for Percussion and Electronics

Eli Rachlin  |  Hargrove On The Road: An Educational Tour

Alonso Umana | El Taller de Jazz

Amy Wang | InstruMentor – With us, your practice will always make progress

GeDeane Graham | Black: That’s it, That’s all

Lorena Navarro | Amplifying Our Voices: Solo Works for Percussion by Indigenous Composers

Sam Gucwa, Jackson Hacias | Own Ur Sound LLC: Music Marketing for College Artists

Panel of Judges

Joe Zenas | EVP, Global Development and Strategic Partnerships

LaToya Cross | Communications and Advancement Content Specialist, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Taylor Haslett | Membership and Program Manager, Arts Council of Greater Lansing

Jordyn Davis | Founder & CEO, Compose the Way Publishing Co.

Elena Harroun | Special Campaigns Coordinator, Metropolitan Opera

Sponsorship and Support
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of the MSU Federal Credit Union and Kim Kleasen.