For singer-songwriter Emi McSwain, talent and ambition have always been at the forefront of her journey—but learning the business side of music has been just as important.
McSwain leveraged her time at Roxbury Community College to supplement her education, with one using RCC credits to complete her degree at Berklee in 2022 and another returning to RCC after graduating from Berklee to continue learning in Fall 2024.
Since returning to RCC from Berklee in the Fall of 2020, McSwain has embraced a curriculum that blends creativity with strategy, helping her turn her passion into a sustainable career. RCC, with its diverse courses and supportive environment, has played a significant role in shaping Emi’s approach to music and her future in the industry.
Here at RCC, she’s taken various courses, including Dance, Acting, and Intro to Music Business, which inform her approach as an artist. In Acting, is learning to present herself confidently on stage. Sociology is providing her with insight into how to appeal to a broad audience. A course like Music Business course, she credits with gaining a deep understanding of how artists can maximize their earnings—even down to the fractions of a penny per stream.
For McSwain, RCC offers more than just an affordable education, it has provided a sense of belonging. Studying in the RCC Library, it is easy to appreciate a space where she doesn’t feel pressured to spend money just to exist. She values the diversity and intergenerational learning atmosphere, where students from all walks of life bring different perspectives. “I do well in new environments,” says Emi, born in New Mexico.
McSwain’s family, originally from Texas, also lived in Virginia and Japan before she spent her teenage years at Hanscom Air Force Base. As a military kid, McSwain was part of a constantly shifting community where friendships were often fleeting. That adaptability, a quality McSwain has honed over the years, serves her well as she enters the music industry, where reinvention and resilience are key.
Beyond the classroom, McSwain is also a content creator. Her commitment to posting daily on social media grew her audience from 2,700 followers to 33,000 in just a few months. This online success has not only expanded her fan base but also provided her with a platform to share her music and connect with her audience. Her biggest takeaway from this experience? “People underestimate how interesting their lives actually are.” She believes confidence isn’t about being the most talented but about doing the work. “You don’t have to be the best at what you do,” she says. You just have to show up.”
Now, as she records her first album and prepares for a career as a full-time musician, Emi sees her time in community college as a crucial steppingstone. Merging artistry with business knowledge, Emi McSwain is setting herself up for longevity in an industry that demands creativity and strategy.
