Grammy Award-winning artist Laufey helped give Syracuse University’s Bandier music business master’s program a major boost with a performance and announcement of a $100,000 scholarship in the singer’s name during an invitation-only launch party at Spotify Studios in Los Angeles Sept. 24.
Laufey performed “From the Start” and other hits from her acclaimed Bewitched album at the event, announcing the scholarship that supports international students or those in need of financial aid in the New York university’s Bandier music business master’s program.
The Bandier master’s program, starting classes in summer 2025, expands on the success of the prestigious undergraduate program in the recording and entertainment industries at the University’s Newhouse School of Public Communications. The new master’s program will be led by Bill Werde, director of the Bandier undergraduate program.
Both degree programs are named after Martin Bandier, the legendary music publishing executive and Syracuse University Life Trustee. The master’s program was created in partnership with the College of Visual and Performing Arts School at Syracuse University, and reflects a true, cross-disciplinary, hands-on approach to study.
Created in 2006 at the Setnor School of Music in the University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, the Bandier program was the brainchild of three Newhouse alumni: CAA Managing Director Rob Light, iHeart Media President of Entertainment Enterprise John Sykes, ’77 and late former Warner Bros, EMI and Virgin Records CEO Phil Quartararo, who suggested the concept to Martin Bandier.
The Laufey Scholarship for Graduate Students will provide $100,000 over the next 10 years to the Bandier program.
In February, Laufey won the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album award at the 2024 Grammys. She has deep connections to the Bandier program through her core team, which includes manager Max Gredinger from Foundations Music, attorney Harry Roberts from Mark Music & Media Law and publisher Gabz Landman from Warner Chappell Music.
“I’m incredibly proud to support this scholarship and be part of such an important moment for the Bandier program. The talent, knowledge and passion that my team brings to our work every day are a direct result of the incredible education they received at Syracuse University,” Laufey said. “I hope this scholarship will help future students find the same success and fulfillment in the music industry.”
The new Bandier music business master’s program will offer students the same top features that set apart the undergraduate program, delivering hands-on experiences and training for cutting-edge skills needed to make students job-ready upon graduation, as well as providing access to the large and loyal networks of Bandier and Newhouse alumni.
A comprehensive curriculum will cover topics, including music law, copyright, social media and the latest data tools used by top industry professionals. A key feature of the program will be a semester based in Los Angeles that provides students with valuable industry experience.
“An overwhelming percentage of our undergrads are leveraging the skills, network and experiences built in the Bandier program into jobs upon graduation,” Werde said. “We look forward to welcoming these new graduate students into our community and working with them to develop the core that they need to succeed.”
