Graduate Applies Her Skills and Passion at NYC Venue
Julia Gomberg, 2015 Keene State graduate, took music and voice lessons from an early age. She brought her passion for music to Keene State, where she majored in communication and minored in art. Gomberg, who is from Chappaqua, New York will be combining her love for music with her communications skills when she heads to New York City where she’ll be working as a music public relations intern at Central Park SummerStage, an outdoor concert venue that features a variety of musical and art performances in Manhattan.
Dr. Jeff Halford, who served as Gomberg’s advisor, said Gomberg has all the attributes to succeed in her budding career. “Julia Gomberg is the kind of student that impresses you from the start. If you’ve met her, you know she simultaneously takes her work seriously, while taking herself less so,” said Halford, an associate professor of Communication at Keene State. “She’s thoughtful, sharp, and hardworking and she’s kind. She’s precisely the kind of young woman who is poised for success.”
Gomberg will be working behind the scenes, handling PR-related responsibilities and helping photographers and videographers follow appropriate protocol. She is no stranger to Central Park SummerStage. As a Keene State student, she attended several concerts at the venue, noted for its diverse music and art performances that appeal to a broad audience. “I remember saying to myself this would be a cool place to work and now I’m going to do it,” she said.
Keene State provided Gomberg the opportunity to nurture her passion for music while studying communication. She was a frequent visitor to the recital hall at the Redfern Arts Center at the College. Gomberg hosted a weekly music show on student-run radio station, WKNH, where she played some of her favorite songs. Overcoming her stage fright, she also performed at several benefit shows on campus.
Gomberg took advantage of many opportunities offered at Keene State. She honed her organizing and planning skills while at Keene State, where she helped to re-establish and serve as president for a Hillel at the College. A Hillel is an organization that provides an open community for Jewish students as well as anyone who is interested in learning more about Judaism. She also spent the second semester of her junior year studying art in Florence, Italy. “It was an experience where I made things happen for myself. It definitely helped me get out of my comfort zone and broaden my horizons,” she said.
Gomberg is hopeful that her internship with Central Park SummerStage will lead to a long-term job opportunity. “I’m going there to work hard, with a positive attitude and my experiences and education from the past four years.”
