Summer Phenix
Summer Phenix
Ariana Swindell: A Musician’s Journey Through Artistry and Leadership
Ariana Swindell: A Musician’s Journey Through Artistry and Leadership
In her nomination for the Spotlight Award, Ariana Swindell was described as someone who “exemplifies musical excellence, academic achievement, and servant leadership at the highest level.”
Swindell’s impact is indelible amongst her peers because it is driven by her faith, which informs her artistry. “The goal of the art I make is to glorify God, and to tell the story of my life and what it’s like to know Him.”
Her journey breaking into the music industry began the summer after her freshman year with Warner Music Group’s HBCU Intensive Scholar Program. Her experience as a scholar was formative for her music experience because it showed her a “different side of music that wasn’t just performing,” she said.
Swindell recognizes that being a “Game Changer” is more than just what you can put on your resume, but it is a commitment to changing the world and making the choice to do so everyday.
Music as a craft and an industry historically has excluded Black voices, however Swindell is working to expand inclusion while honoring her faith. Her love for her craft extends beyond her desired career; she also exemplifies it through service.
As someone who was classically trained as a child, Swindell was inspired to work with the Atlanta Music Project (AMP). This non-profit organization provides world-class music education to Atlanta’s youth free of charge.
“I enjoy teaching. I'm with the Glee Club, I teach a lot, and this has definitely been an avenue for that and getting to work with students who look like me. I wish I had that type of thing growing up,” Swindell said.
She continues to make strides both on and off campus that is recognized by professionals in the music industry. Handpicked by members of The Recording Academy, Swindell served as a member of the fourth cohort for The Recording Academy and Amazon Music's "Your Future is Now" Program. In addition to gaining industry experience through events in New York and Los Angeles, she participated in Grammy week.
“It just was like another moment where I was like ‘Wow I actually can pursue music, and there is going to be favor, and blessings, and success here,’” said Swindell. “It just was so affirming, because it one, acknowledged ‘We see your creativity and your work and we know you have the ability and the right to be in this space.’”
For her, leading within the music industry looks and feels like “authenticity and not doubting your art or not doubting whatever it is you’re supporting,” said Swindell. “I always want to make it my goal to know my why, and know like ‘Who are we trying to get, because [the music] is not going to resonate with everybody and that’s okay.’”
Swindell remains committed to her Spelman community through on-campus leadership. She serves as the Student Conductor for The Glee Club, where she exemplifies both artistry and sisterhood.
“The Glee Club, it’s just a strong sisterhood and network of people who are trying to pull the best out of you, and it might not always feel like it in the moment, but it's really just allowed me to grow in my leadership, and my skills, and my teaching, and my improv.”
As a graduating senior, Swindell continues to strive for greatness as she works as an intern for Grammy winning artist Lecrae at 116 Ventures. She helps manage and create content for his social media platforms.
“A lot of people, within Spelman and outside of Spelman, question ‘Why would you go to Spelman if you study music,’ and I want to change that narrative. There’s so many alumnae who are doing great things and so many students currently who are doing great things. So I want people to see Spelman music and Spelman arts as something that is legit and something that is attainable as a career.”
Swindell hopes to leave behind a legacy that creates a lasting impact on not just Spelman’s music department, but the arts as a whole.
“Once I graduate, changing the game, my main goal in my music is to glorify God and so I want to bring that to the industry, because there's a lot of people living in darkness, there’s a lot of people who are just lost,” said Swindell. “I want to just be that light in those spaces. It can be really tense within the industry, and I want to show people that we can move in excellence.”
In her nomination for the Spotlight Award, Ariana Swindell was described as someone who “exemplifies musical excellence, academic achievement, and servant leadership at the highest level.”
Swindell’s impact is indelible amongst her peers because it is driven by her faith, which informs her artistry. “The goal of the art I make is to glorify God, and to tell the story of my life and what it’s like to know Him.”
Her journey breaking into the music industry began the summer after her freshman year with Warner Music Group’s HBCU Intensive Scholar Program. Her experience as a scholar was formative for her music experience because it showed her a “different side of music that wasn’t just performing,” she said.
Swindell recognizes that being a “Game Changer” is more than just what you can put on your resume, but it is a commitment to changing the world and making the choice to do so everyday.
Music as a craft and an industry historically has excluded Black voices, however Swindell is working to expand inclusion while honoring her faith. Her love for her craft extends beyond her desired career; she also exemplifies it through service.
As someone who was classically trained as a child, Swindell was inspired to work with the Atlanta Music Project (AMP). This non-profit organization provides world-class music education to Atlanta’s youth free of charge.
“I enjoy teaching. I'm with the Glee Club, I teach a lot, and this has definitely been an avenue for that and getting to work with students who look like me. I wish I had that type of thing growing up,” Swindell said.
She continues to make strides both on and off campus that is recognized by professionals in the music industry. Handpicked by members of The Recording Academy, Swindell served as a member of the fourth cohort for The Recording Academy and Amazon Music's "Your Future is Now" Program. In addition to gaining industry experience through events in New York and Los Angeles, she participated in Grammy week.
“It just was like another moment where I was like ‘Wow I actually can pursue music, and there is going to be favor, and blessings, and success here,’” said Swindell. “It just was so affirming, because it one, acknowledged ‘We see your creativity and your work and we know you have the ability and the right to be in this space.’”
For her, leading within the music industry looks and feels like “authenticity and not doubting your art or not doubting whatever it is you’re supporting,” said Swindell. “I always want to make it my goal to know my why, and know like ‘Who are we trying to get, because [the music] is not going to resonate with everybody and that’s okay.’”
Swindell remains committed to her Spelman community through on-campus leadership. She serves as the Student Conductor for The Glee Club, where she exemplifies both artistry and sisterhood.
“The Glee Club, it’s just a strong sisterhood and network of people who are trying to pull the best out of you, and it might not always feel like it in the moment, but it's really just allowed me to grow in my leadership, and my skills, and my teaching, and my improv.”
As a graduating senior, Swindell continues to strive for greatness as she works as an intern for Grammy winning artist Lecrae at 116 Ventures. She helps manage and create content for his social media platforms.
“A lot of people, within Spelman and outside of Spelman, question ‘Why would you go to Spelman if you study music,’ and I want to change that narrative. There’s so many alumnae who are doing great things and so many students currently who are doing great things. So I want people to see Spelman music and Spelman arts as something that is legit and something that is attainable as a career.”
Swindell hopes to leave behind a legacy that creates a lasting impact on not just Spelman’s music department, but the arts as a whole.
“Once I graduate, changing the game, my main goal in my music is to glorify God and so I want to bring that to the industry, because there's a lot of people living in darkness, there’s a lot of people who are just lost,” said Swindell. “I want to just be that light in those spaces. It can be really tense within the industry, and I want to show people that we can move in excellence.”