Jasmine Tebbi grew up listening to Latin music artists, such as Enrique Iglesias and Prince Royce, when she rode in the car with her mom. When the time came for Tebbi to choose the topic of her senior capstone project, she knew exactly what she wanted to do.
Tebbi, who is majoring in music industry and minoring in marketing, has been working hard for the past 6 months to put together her capstone project. On Oct. 2, students will have the opportunity to attend Conexión Latine, a Latin music industry panel featuring professionals from Universal Music Group, YouTube, and Top Dawg Entertainment at the Trojan Grand Ballroom. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to attend.
Tebbi, whose mother is Peruvian and father is Persian, has always been very connected to her culture. From a young age, she’s been interested in music, and she knew she wanted to go into the industry.
Tebbi interned at Universal Music Group in the Interscope-Geffen-A&M (IGA) Miami team, a division of the major record label that focuses on Latin Music. “I got to connect with really amazing and cool, talented people in the Latin music industry,” Tebbi said, “which is really niche and cool, but it is very growing, the Latin music industry is very growing, especially in the U.S.”
Conexión Latine features a panel followed by a networking mixer. The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) will also be tabling at the event. “I just think it’s so important that they are coming because of, like, everything going on.” Tebbi said, referring to CHIRLA, “I think it’s important to support the community now more than ever.”
She hadn’t seen many events like Conexión Latine, especially those that put a spotlight on Hispanic Heritage Month. “I don’t know the exact number of Latin students at USC, but I know it’s [...] a huge community that is not heard. I think that we should have events like this on campus, especially during Hispanic Heritage Month.” Tebbi knew she had the connections and support she needed to make such a large event possible. “So I was like, I want to bring this, I want to make this event at USC, so that’s how [Conexión Latine] came about.”
The Latine Student Assembly (LSA) is sponsoring the event. Co-Executive Director Jonathan Morales Garcia, a junior studying music industry, emphasized the importance of such an event for Latine students. “Growing up in a Latino background, I found that a lot of times we’re pushed to work towards like medicine or law, [...] but we’re never really pushed to go into creative fields,” Garcia explained.“[LSA] wants to showcase an event that shows, even if you’re not a music industry student or currently trying to pursue a career in music, there’s still a possibility for you to pivot to that career and make connections so that students can see those creative opportunities as well.”
Zoe Mottaz is a senior studying music industry and a close friend of Tebbi’s. She’s been witness to Tebbi creating Conexión Latine from the beginning. “I’m so proud of her,” Mottaz said, “and she’s a really hard worker, so I’m sure ... it will all be evident through the event.”
The sentiment was echoed by Garcia.“Jasmine has been so amazing to work with. It’s been so cool to actually see somebody so invested in the music industry want to come and create an event and create change,” Garcia said. “It’s really inspirational to see that we’re bringing a lot of students together in different fields who are interested in music, even if it’s just a little bit of an interest, it’s still something to make a connection and kind of explore other possibilities.”
For Tebbi, the most fulfilling part has been seeing her community rally behind her for this event. She said the most rewarding aspect has been bringing the Latin community together, noting that she reached out to various Latin clubs and organizations to involve them.
Tebbi wants to see more projects like Conexión Latine and hopes her work inspires others, “I would love if future USC students, even if it’s not the capstone, like the LSA, or just other organizations on campus, create ... Hispanic Heritage events. I just think it’d be really cool if, in the future, it sets a precedent to have more events.”
Conexión Latine is happening on Oct. 2, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Trojan Grand Ballroom. Click here to register for the event.