To better understand the impact of Belmont's commercial music program, we spoke with alumna Katie Basden about her path from student to professional performer. For Basden, who graduated in 2014, Belmont provided the foundation for a career that has led to national television exposure and performing alongside music legends.
Alumna Profile
Name: Katie Basden
Graduation Year: 2014
Program: Commercial Voice
Notable Experiences: Winner of Belmont's Commercial Showcase (2013), Top 20 contestant on NBC's The Voice, Selected performer for Dolly Parton's "Threads: My Songs in Symphony"
The Challenge
Like many aspiring professional musicians, Katie Basden needed education that would provide both technical musical training and practical industry knowledge to navigate a competitive entertainment landscape.
The Solution
Basden found Belmont's commercial music program offered three key elements crucial to her development:
Powerful Networking Ecosystem
In Basden's words: "Belmont provided an incredible ecosystem of people to network with. I still work with some of the people I met during my years at Belmont, and it's always a fun thing to have in common with someone else who is outside of the years I was there."
Technical Skill Development
Basden noted: "I learned healthy vocal technique and took SEVERAL music business classes that helped shape how I've been maneuvering through my career."
Industry-Connected Opportunities
"When I attended Belmont, there were several opportunities to plug in to real industry shows, events, connections, etc. that would have been harder to find outside of school," Basden said.
The Results
Basden has leveraged her Belmont education to achieve significant career milestones:
- Winning Belmont's Commercial Showcase in 2013
- Reaching Top 20 on NBC's The Voice
- Being selected to perform in nationwide tour Dolly Parton's "Threads: My Songs in Symphony"
“I was so grateful to land a role for the premiere of ‘Dolly’s Threads!’ I'm looking forward to meeting Dolly and singing with the Nashville Symphony,” Basden beamed. “All the singers who were cast, and those that were not, are INCREDIBLY talented and it's going to be so fun to perform with them!”
Key Takeaway
The connections, technical skills and industry exposure provided by Belmont's commercial music program have enabled Basden to build a sustainable career in music that continues to reach new heights, including the opportunity to work alongside one of country music's greatest icons.
Next Steps
Are you ready to begin your own musical journey at Belmont? Contact our admissions team to learn more about our commercial music program:
- Schedule a campus visit
- Learn about audition requirements
- Explore financial aid options
Learn More
Prepare for an entertainment career at Belmont!