The Running Start Competition

The Running Start Competition is a unique chance for Music students to dive into a creative idea, work on it and work with expert guidance on how pitch it.

This year, competition finalists showed excellent creativity and presentation skills, as have students in years past. All finalists took home cash to support their ideas, supported by judges who are so important to the process.

“Entrepreneurship is huge in our industry,” said Emily Henley, director of career education and music entrepreneurship in the College of Music. “Our students really have to be innovative and creative to be able to carve out their place in the industry and have a robust professional career.”

2025 Running Start Competition finalists, prizes, and projects

person with long dark hair and colorful necklace holds three drum mallets.
Lorena Navarro
$3,000
Amplifying Our Voices: Solo Works for Percussion by Indigenous Composers

person with shoulder-length dark hair and glasses, wearing a white sweater, stands with a long hallway in the background.
Amy Wang
$2,500
InstruMentor – With us, your practice will always make progress

two people smile and hold a certificate
Sam Gucwa and Jackson Hacius
$1,500
Own Ur Sound LLC: Music Marketing for College Artists

person with dark hair and goatee wearing tan sport coat and dark tie
Alonso Umaña
$1,500
El Taller de Jazz

person with dark hair and glasses wearing a grey suit and blue striped tie
Zongheng Zhang
$1,500
Loneliness Amplified: Reimagining Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine

person wearing black shirt, holding drum sticks
Cory Doran
$1,000
Creating Accessibility in Music Performance: The First Method Book for Percussion and Electronics

person with bushy black hair with blond highlights, wearing glasses, a black shirt, and large colorful necklace.
GeDeane Graham
$1,000
Black: That’s it, That’s all

person in blue suit and tie, mouthpiece of a trumpet in bottom of image
Eli Rachlin
$1,000 and Peoples Choice Award
Hargrove On The Road: An Educational Tour

Panel of Judges

Joe Zenas | Chief Executive – Client Partnership & Strategy, TAIT

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.

The Running Start Competition

2025 Running Start Competition finalists, prizes, and projects

Panel of Judges

Sponsorship and Support

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