Women Who Rock Founder and SAEM Instructor Invites Students to Work at Sheila E. Concert Monday, June 17, 2019

Legendary drummer Sheila E. recently performed at Pittsburgh’s Stage AE, and thanks to Melinda Colaizzi, several Point Park University sports, arts and entertainment management majors had the special opportunity to work at the event.

Colaizzi is founder/producer of the charity organization, Women who Rock, as well as a part-time SAEM instructor at Point Park and founder/CEO of PITCH Consulting.

“Last year, I reached out to Sheila’s team because I believed she would be the perfect artist and icon to represent what Women who Rock stands for. She is passionate about what we are doing to empower women in music and raise funds for life-saving women’s health research,” Colaizzi explained.

“Sheila and her band put on an epic performance!” she added.

In addition to Sheila E., the show featured an all-female lineup of Pittsburgh-based musicians including the Sounds of Pittsburgh Women’s Chorus, Lyndsey Smith, DJ Jess and 2019 Rising Start Contest Winner Melina Bowser.

“The event grew by more than 200 percent from last year, and we’re already working on ways to grow the event in Pittsburgh in 2020 and also expand to cities outside of Pittsburgh,” Colaizzi said.

As an SAEM instructor, Colaizzi incorporates her real-world experience and examples into the classes she teaches, while connecting students with hands-on opportunities to volunteer and intern at her events.

Connecting Concerts to the Classroom: Hear from SAEM Majors

“Inspiring other females in the music industry has always been a dream of mine, especially being an aspiring singer/songwriter myself. I was lucky to be selected by Melinda and her team as the Spring 2019 WwR Intern. From every single stage of event planning including budgets, catering, venue-scouting, talent-scouting, riders, sponsorship proposals, meetings, social media analytics, day-of-show tasks and challenges, I really feel as though I got the most I could have out of this internship.” — Bryana Appley, junior SAEM major from Richland High School in Johnstown, Pa. 

“This experience related to my career goals because after graduating I hope to work in the special events field. Working different aspects of special events around Pittsburgh, as well as interning with places such as Stage AE in the past, and currently at Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership as a marketing and special events intern, have all helped to prepare me for my career path when I graduate from Point Park.” — Nate Grossi, senior SAEM major, graduate of Tuscarawas Valley High School in Zoarville, Ohio.

“I first became a part of Women who Rock my senior year as an intern and was fortunate to be asked back as a member of the committee this year. Women who Rock has perfectly embodied why I got into this business, and into the SAEM program. I have always wanted to work in the music industry. To be able to work in depth with an event like this has taught me so much. Seeing everything come together — especially having been on board for a second year — was so fulfilling.”— Kylie Koch, 2018 SAEM graduate and key account coordinator for iHeart Media from Upper St. Clair High School in Pittsburgh.

“Melinda was the professor for my Event Management class. It was one of my favorite classes I have taken so far at Point Park because of her teaching. She is so knowledgeable about coordinating events and I was honored when she asked if I could help with Women who Rock. It was so incredible to watch what she taught us in class come to life in her very own event and I am so glad that I was able to be a part of such a fantastic event!” — Christy Martin, junior SAEM major and graduate of Walnut Hill School for the Arts in Boston, Mass.

More About: Stage AE, Richland High School, sports, arts and entertainment management, Upper St. Clair High School, Rowland School of Business, Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Music Partnerships