Release features work of Belmont network, from management to student musicians
For Russell Dickerson, filming his latest music video at Belmont wasn't just a return to his alma mater – it was a love story coming full circle.
“’Bones’ is about discovering a love so deep, it feels like it's part of you, woven into your very soul. It's a connection that’s built to last, something that gives you strength, like it’s always been there,” Dickerson shared. “For me, that’s my wife, Kailey. Our love story began at Belmont, so it only felt right to perform 'Bones (Wedding Version)' in a place that holds so much meaning for us.”
Alumni Network Powers Production
That meaning extends beyond Dickerson's personal connection. The video production brought together a network of Belmont alumni behind the scenes, while creating opportunities for current students to step into the spotlight. From his management team to his band and crew, many of the professionals working on the Valentine's Day release share the Belmont connection.
“Many people on Russell's team are Belmont alumni,” explained Dickerson’s manager and fellow alumnus Trey Wilson. “Russell and I were both students at Belmont around the same time, and I remember him making a name for himself as an artist while he was still a student.”
Students Step into the Spotlight
The project showcased another kind of harmony: the seamless collaboration between industry professionals and current students. A quintet of accomplished Belmont music students brought their talents to the production, creating a learning opportunity that bridged classroom and career.
“As a current Belmont student, it was very inspiring to watch Belmont graduates like Russell and his team bring their creative vision to life,” said Tessa Dalton, junior commercial violin performance major who performed in the video. “Seeing the behind-the-scenes process was eye-opening — every small detail they focused on contributed to the final, polished video in ways most viewers never even realize.”
The student ensemble included Dalton and fellow violinist Kate Ward, violist George Graefen, cellist Grant Brown and bassist Cameron Bertolet – all members of the Belmont University Symphony Orchestra. For these student musicians, the opportunity offered valuable insights into professional music video production while allowing them to apply their classical training in a commercial setting.
“These partnerships with artists in the music industry are what makes Belmont unique in that we can give our students real world experiences while they are students and connect them with music industry professionals,” said Dr. Christopher Fashun, director of orchestras, who helped coordinate the student musicians' involvement. "I love that our alumni are giving back to Belmont by bringing opportunities like this project to our students.”
'Bones’ is about discovering a love so deep, it feels like it's part of you, woven into your very soul. It's a connection that’s built to last, something that gives you strength, like it’s always been there. For me, that’s my wife, Kailey. Our love story began at Belmont, so it only felt right to perform 'Bones (Wedding Version)' in a place that holds so much meaning for us.
Creating Career Connections
The experience highlighted the distinctive advantages of Belmont's location and industry connections. “I can't imagine attending another university where I could skip class to film a music video for an incredible country artist at the world-renowned Fisher Performing Arts Center — then head right back to class afterward,” Dalton reflected. “While I gain so much from my daily coursework, these hands-on Belmont experiences have taught me invaluable lessons about the industry that I could never learn in a classroom alone.”
For graduate student Kate Ward, the production's professional environment stood out. “Russell and his team are all such genuine people,” she said. “I also felt like they didn't treat us any differently just because we were students, either positively or negatively, which was very appreciated. It was a pleasant discovery to see just how well this video production came together in such a seamless way.”
That professional respect was matched by the students' preparation. “We made a goal to communicate with each other more while performing, making eye contact with each other and moving together when playing rhythmically similar passages,” Ward added. “Even though this communication is something we've all practiced in ensembles, it was cool to see such immediate results, which further illustrated the importance of communication while performing.”
The video shoot not only created lasting memories for the student musicians but also demonstrated the ongoing impact of Belmont's alumni network. “Belmont alumni have a unique drive for success and a passion for the industry,” Wilson reflected. “They also have a great working knowledge of the industry and how to navigate it.”
For the students involved, the project offered more than just performance experience – it provided a glimpse into their potential future. “The students got to see what goes into creating a visualizer for a multi-platinum level artist,” Wilson said. “Hopefully, this project can also serve as a calling card for them in their own careers.”
As Dickerson's Valentine's Day release brings him back to where his love story began, it also showcases how Belmont continues to foster connections between successful alumni and the next generation of music industry professionals.
The beautiful campus architecture that provided the perfect backdrop for his video serves as more than just scenery – it's where past, present and future intersect, creating opportunities that resonate far beyond graduation.
The video for "Bones (Wedding Version)" will be released Feb. 14.
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