Throwing Open the Door

Brooklyn College senior Alex Euceda shines with excitement when discussing his experience at Glassnote Records in New York City. The English major, whose passion is music and anything related to it, says he has “always wanted to be involved in the industry in some capacity,” but before now has never had the chance.

Founder and president of the label, Daniel Glass ’77, says he is especially interested in offering this opportunity to Brooklyn College students. “The door to media and music can be a very conservative closed one, and I feel that people like me have put an emphasis on mentoring to make sure that door stays open to everyone,” says Glass.

The record executive did not start out on a career track in music. He was a student at Brooklyn College on the pre-med track, volunteering at Coney Island Hospital and looking forward to becoming a pediatrician, when he broke his leg. With extra time on his hands, he took a job at WBCR, the college radio station, working closely with a group of people who “opened my horizons and taste buds to new worlds of music,” he adds. The move was life-changing—he left pre-med, majored in television and radio (now Television, Radio & Emerging Media), and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1977.

Glass secured a DJ gig at Régine’s, a famous Manhattan nightclub, while still a student. Playing music and watching the dance floor mesmerized him. “As a DJ the visceral, physical response of people dancing—or not dancing—to a record you played,” says Glass, “was mind blowing.”

While DJing, Glass met his future father-in-law, who gave him the chance to mix records and learn about the business. This led to a job at the renowned British label Chrysalis Records, and on to a career that spanned major and indie labels. He then drew upon his experience and opened Glassnote. What he has learned from “the masters, my mentors,” he wants to pass along—to Euceda and others.

A star—that is what Glass calls Euceda. “He has shown so much initiative,” says Glass. “He has become a member of the team, and we give him a lot of access.”

In addition to content creation for social media and involvement in the day-to-day workings of the label, Euceda has found a place at the heart of the enterprise: scouting talent. This is not usual, says Glass. “I’ve invited Alex into the talent listening sessions when we are meeting with new talent, new songwriters, new bands, new singers. He comes to meetings and gives his perspective.”

This kind of access delights Euceda. “Being able to see what everyone’s up to,” he says, “what their future’s looking like, if they have any releases that are coming up—being in the know about that and being a part of the team that’s helping make that happen, is pretty incredible.”

The internship at Glassnote is funded by an alumni-supported stipend through the Magner Career Center, where Euceda also works. Glass, who has been active with the center since 2005, has hosted Brooklyn College interns, mentored students, served on career panels, and attended networking nights. Magner Career Center Director Natalia Guarin-Klein, who connected Euceda with Glass, describes it as “the best feeling” when she can match a student with the perfect internship. Students, she says, are “getting this experience that will transform them . . . so you’re opening these doors by making these connections.”

Through events and one-on-one mentoring, alumni can help students gain clarity on their career interests and develop a plan to reach their goals. All interested alumni may contact Magner Career Center Director Natalia Guarin-Klein at careernews@brooklyn.cuny.edu for more information.