McKenna's Experience

Being able to course correct in a chaotic environment at the drop of a mic (ha), recognizing listening is vital to teamwork, and providing a warm and healthy environment for creativity to flourish are some of the most important skills I’ve learned along my journey. Growing up I helped my parents who ran a professional photography business to fill in gaps between jobs. I chose seasonal, event-centered work that I hoped would have a shadow of use for me in the future: Technical Support, a summer camp director & instructor for ELL exchange students, and several different positions for a celebrity events production company. This company would connect non-profits, as well as paying vendors, with clients for different entertainment events. I was involved in special events like The Grammy Awards, The Emmys, Lambda Legal, BET Awards, ESPY Awards, and other charity galas such as auctions for the birthdays of Betty White, George Lopez, and others. Working for the Wing in West Hollywood was sort of a beautiful blur. I was primarily involved in the back of house as the Lead Chef during day to day, however for events I would design, order, and prepare catering for up to 400 guests as well as help plan and set up the space with props, lighting, sound, guest services or the materials from sponsors. It’s all about the choices you make in the beginning that give you a foundation upon which to grow. I’m from a small town and now live in LA. I wasn’t in band, didn’t come from a musical family, and was too shy to sing out loud for years. Because I was self-taught, it wasn’t until I became part of online community and couldn’t think about anything else before I started considering songwriting and a role in the music industry as a serious career option. I’ve studied music and the business of it at CSU Chico and Crafton Hills Community College, I’m currently in the middle of an online course from NYU Tisch Davis School of Recording, I’ve learned that customer service and the way you show respect to not only a client or customer but your co-workers and teammates will get you very far and is something I care about deeply. I strive to keep learning everything I can and bump up women and their influence.