In Ohio County Schools, we love a good #alumnispotlight. Wheeling Park High School Class of 2016’s Philip Schwarz is making waves in the music industry across the country, and he got his start in Ohio County Schools!
Read on to see what Schwarz is up to today.
Schwarz is a former Triadelphia Middle School Raider and a 2016 graduate of WPHS. He feels his experiences, particularly in high school, helped shape his path: “OCS gave me the opportunity to study and explore so many different avenues in the arts and entertainment ecosystem which instilled in me an even deeper passion for music and ultimately inspired me to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. I had so many wonderful and encouraging teachers during my time at OCS (namely Ben Podolski, Joyce Jingle, Bill Cornforth, Kayla Nelson, Christie Greenwood, and more) who recognized my potential and always pushed me to be a better person. They truly helped me build confidence in all areas of my life, and to this day they have inspired me to believe in myself and to achieve success in a very competitive field. Some of my fondest memories are from the Festival of Sound and WPHS’s annual spring musicals; I think those moments of joy made me realize how life-changing music and the arts can be… which persuaded me to build a career centered around music!”
Today, Schwarz is living his dream of working full time in the music industry: “I am currently living in Los Angeles, working on the Commercial Marketing team for the music distributor and record label Virgin Music Group. On a day-to-day basis, I get to work with recording artists of all calibers (from emerging breakout acts such as The Paradox to massive sensations like James Blake and the K-Pop group TWICE). I represent these artists and more in the marketplace, constantly looking for new ways to tell their story, build their audience, grow their fanbase, and secure exciting promotional and marketing opportunities for them. I am fortunate in that my job always feels like a fun, creative outlet rather than a 9-5, and it always keeps me excited and on my toes!”
Amazing work, Philip! We love to see our students years later doing what they love. Do you have an #alumnistory? Email kbutyn@k12.wv.us today to share your adventure!