Reynoldsburg City Schools has always put a strong focus on preparing its students to graduate with an awareness of the careers available in the fields that interest them and an understanding of the skills they must develop to achieve their goals.

That focus has become even stronger in recent years, opening up more and more areas for students to explore. Take, for example, the new Music Technology class taught for the first time last semester by Betsy Fox at the Encore Academy at the Summit Road campus.

The assignment was a challenge for Fox, she said, and not the first one the music department has thrown at her. She was previously asked to come up with a course on musicals, and later one called “Post-War Music and Art,” in which she took her students through the 1900s decade by decade. (“I loved that course,” she said.)

And again she’s risen to the challenge, in part with the help of Brett Peterman of the school district’s tech department. She needed a hand with technology and equipment, and Peterman gave her that and more: He introduced her to his old friend Grant Gatsby (pictured on the previous page). An impresario of sorts, Gatsby produces and records music and books musical talent for his company, Every Body Else’s Entertainment. He represents primarily (but not exclusively) rap and hip-hop artists.

On a recent visit to Fox’s class — bringing along a couple of his artists — Gatsby told students some of the basics of being in the music business, saying that one very important aspect is making contacts and keeping them.“It’s all in who you know” when opportunities arise, he said. That means making and maintaining relationships, even in situations where there’s no obvious payoff. 

There’s always a chance you’ll learn something, or that your contact will learn something about you. That becomes more important all the time, he said. With the current state of technology, Gatsby said, “Anybody can have a recording studio in their basement.” Having a place in the music business entails a good deal more.And you don’t need to be a rich and famous performer to have a satisfying life in the music business, he added. In fact, you don’t need to be a performer at all. 

The majority of careers in music are on the other side of the microphone, in technical and production and management positions, for example.And on the talent side, having success as a regional artist — perhaps based in Columbus, Ohio — can be fulfilling and provide a good living. Dominique LaRue, one of the artists who performed at a recent Music Tech class, has toured in this country, and will tour in northern Europe later this year. She is pictured above entertaining Fox's students in the band room.Another musician in the band room that day performs under the name “Hafrican.” He’s established a following in Columbus and is getting to be known around Ohio.Gatsby said he comes “from a long line of teachers and social workers” and has enjoyed spending time in Fox’s classroom. He’s hoping, in fact, to establish a partnership with the schools that would enable him to open up more opportunities, and perhaps establish internships for local students.

“Music is a huge industry,” Fox said.