It’s the age-old question for creative thinkers and makers: How can I turn my craft into a career? For musical jack-of-all-trades Dylan Ugel ’26, the answer was Drexel University.
I always expected to find myself at a performing arts college. Then, I learned Drexel had a music program that delves into the whole industry. I bring a lot of session musicianship to the table with guitar, piano, and bass, but the Drexel Music Industry program taught me how to be more than 'the guy on the guitar,' to leverage my skills into more well-rounded executive and administrative opportunities – which is key to any artist’s success.
Thanks to several scholarships, Dylan has been able to attend his dream school, where his experiences have revealed endless ways for him to succeed. In his time at Drexel, he has:
- Helped plan, promote and secure sponsorships for a festival for over 300 attendees as part of his co-op with soundroom, an independent label and live event agency in Philadelphia.
- Created original beats for his co-op with Un Chin, a digital magazine with 60,000 followers that interviews Latino artists in New York City.
- Collaborated with a team of 18 students from other schools and colleges to create a survival horror video game for his senior project. He has asked abstract questions like: How do you create the feeling of dread through sound?
- Scored Undertakers, an independent film by a fellow senior, who later spotlighted Dylan’s contributions during the film’s premiere.
- Co-hosted Drexel’s 20-year-old weekly open mic, Late Night Series. Here, he also met his best friends and future roommate.
*Late Night Series is free for any and all (including alumni!) at 8:30 p.m. every Thursday night in the Creese Student Center. - Become president of NeuroDragons, a student club dedicated to raising awareness of neurodiversity and its value to the Drexel learning community. They host weekly get-togethers with low-stress activities over which members can connect.
As if Dylan’s resume wasn’t well-rounded enough, he also has a range of music credits – from introspective solo songs to heavy-hitting beats as the bass player in the band Discordant Generation (whom he met at Late Night Series). His other group, Space Sailors, has amassed over a million plays on their 80s-inspired synth single “Test Pilot.” Listen below and, and if you like what you hear, check out their recently released album, “Retrovision,” on Spotify or SoundCloud!
Without scholarships, Dylan would be unable to attend Drexel, let alone discover so many ways to turn his craft into a career – all while building a community that continually drives his growth as an artist and an individual.
“I know for a fact that I would not be where I am without financial help. The generous gifts I have received have allowed me to continue making waves as a creative professional and to lift up the people around me.”