SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music Sends Nine Music Business Interns to World’s Largest Music Trade Show
Working at the booth for Buffet Crampon, Crane music business student Sabrina Franco speaks about the company’s clarinet line with SUNY Potsdam President Dr. Suzanne R. Smith and her husband Brett Lloyd, who had stopped by the NAMM Show to visit students, alumni and industry partners.
Nine ambitious music business students from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music recently traveled to Anaheim, Calif., to network and complete internships at the 2026 National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Show, the world’s leading trade event for music products.
The Crane music business students were placed with acclaimed international music industry companies during the NAMM Show, including innovative and world-known brands. Numerous Crane alumni work with these firms, and in many cases hold leadership roles. Likewise, a number of graduates have been recruited following their NAMM Show experiences.
Music business students from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music interned with companies from across the country and world at the 2026 NAMM Show, the premier trade event for music products.
The Crane student interns proved vital for the exhibitors, as they helped set up their booths, familiarize trade visitors with the latest developments in technology, and answer complex questions on product details. Joined by faculty, the students were able to work directly with leading firms, thanks to the unique internship program originally established by the Crane Institute for Music Business in 2005.
Crane faculty members David Via and Dr. Erin Brooks accompanied the students during the show, and on a corporate visit to Drum Workshop Inc., in Oxnard, Calif.
This year’s interns included:
- Jacqueline Alonso of Cincinnati, Ohio, who interned with Zoom North America
- Adam Derouchie of Malone, N.Y., who interned with AC Guitars
- Sabrina Franco of Bay Shore, N.Y., who interned with Buffet Crampon
- Jacob Gaul of Liverpool, N.Y., who interned with Alfred Music
- Margo Neth of Verona, N.Y., who interned with Sennheiser
- Matt Reed of Madrid, N.Y., who interned with KHS Musical Instruments
- Clad Sanon of Bronx, N.Y., who interned with KHS Musical Instruments
- Julia Taylor of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., who interned with Dansr Inc.
- Mia Twyman of Middletown, N.Y., who interned with Kyser Musical Products
While at the show, the SUNY Potsdam students completed the NAMM Foundation’s GenNext initiative—a program to help jump-start students’ careers, allowing them to network and join special professional development sessions.
Students and faculty from SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music visited Drum Workshop Inc., in Oxnard, Calif., during their trip to complete internships at the 2026 NAMM Show.
The music business program at SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music prepares students for careers in the music product industry, arts administration and the recording industry. Along with its longstanding Bachelor of Music degree, Crane now offers a non-audition Bachelor of Science degree program in music business, allowing more flexibility for students bringing different areas of musical focus to their studies.
Learn more: Music business program at The Crane School of Music
About The Crane School of Music:
Founded in 1886, SUNY Potsdam’s Crane School of Music has a long legacy of excellence in music education and performance. Life at Crane includes an incredible array of more than 300 recitals, lectures and concerts presented by faculty, students and guests each year. The Crane School of Music is the State University of New York’s only All-Steinway institution and was one of the first Yamaha Institutions of Excellence. For more information, please visit www.potsdam.edu/crane.