Featuring Hannah Aldridge of Madison, S.D., and Haley Johnson of Springfield, Neb., who are both majoring in Music Industry.
For some students, summer means summer internships, which is exactly the case for Hannah Aldridge of Madison, S.D., and Haley Johnson of Springfield, Neb., who are majoring in Music Industry. They’re the subjects of this week’s Student Spotlight Series, which is the final installment until the Fall 2025 semester.
With a passion for music and live performances, Aldridge and Johnson both found internships they’ve dreamed about. They’ll start their internships in mid-May.
Aldridge will be the assistant audio engineer for the Theodore Roosevelt Medora Foundation in Medora, N.D. She’ll be working to ensure sound and technical aspects operate efficiently for the annual Medora Musical at the Burning Hills Amphitheatre, as well as other performances, concerts, and events at various venues.
“I’m definitely going to have my hands full with the wide variety of entertainment I’ll be dealing with,” said Aldridge, a sophomore at Wayne State. “I’ll be a consultant for all in-town audio needs and troubleshooting at several venues in Medora, and pre-show and post-show duties including maintaining and repairing audio equipment.”
Johnson’s position is through the Bob Rohlf Internship Program at the iconic Starlight Theatre in Kansas City, Mo. It offers college students the opportunity to work closely with entertainment professionals throughout the nonprofit theatre organization each summer.
“My goal was to work for a nonprofit in the music industry because I like the business-to-community connection,” said Johnson, a senior at Wayne State. “Their mission statement is to ‘connect our community through live arts experiences that entertain, inspire, and engage’ and that’s exactly what I’m looking for. My passion for music and live events comes from seeing the reactions they create and the impact they leave on people.”
At Wayne State, Aldridge is active in Wind Ensemble, Wildcat Marching Band, Cru (interdenominational Christian ministry), and KWSC-FM radio (91.9 The Cat), the college’s student-run radio station. She also serves as a theatre technician and a Music Major Guide, allowing high school students to shadow her for a day of classes.
Johnson is active with the Wayne State Concert Choir, Chamber Choir, String Ensemble, Mariachi Negro y Oro, and the Honors Program. She’s involved with the Lutheran Campus Ministry and is an instructor for Wayne State’s Music Academy.
Earlier in the Spring 2025 semester, Aldridge and Johnson were awarded Lamond GenNext Awards, which allowed them to attend the National Association of Music Merchants show in Anaheim, Calif., in January.
Aldridge is scheduled to graduate in Fall 2026, and she intends to pursue a career in audio and arts administration. Johnson will graduate Saturday, May 10, and she’s looking for a career in the music industry and event operations.