Sofia D’Angelo at Young Musicians Unite for Gun Sanity concert, produced by Michael Clark, 2018. Photo: Ken Grille
Next / Now brings a new wave of artists from NYU’s Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music to Guild Hall for a night of original performance, hosted by JD Samson and Jeff Peretz. The program spotlights a generation pushing boundaries across sound, storytelling, and technology.
From stripped-back songwriting to genre-defying production and globally inspired musical traditions, the evening captures music in motion—fresh, in-progress, and happening right now. It’s a rare chance to experience artists at a pivotal moment, before what comes next.
Featuring Nora Conlon, an East End–based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose work blends folk and alternative rock with a focus on lyrical vulnerability and dynamic live performance; Sofia D’Angelo, a New York–based pop artist whose recent single “Time” topped a Billboard fan poll and signals a breakout solo moment; Halima, a queer artist, singer, songwriter, and producer whose sound draws from soul, electronic, alternative, and East African influences to create deeply personal and globally resonant music, earning her recognition as a singular voice and icon within queer music communities; and Ben Lapidus, a songwriter and musical comedian known for blending satire and sincerity across pop, punk, folk, and beyond. A viral favorite online, Lapidus gained national attention on America’s Got Talent with his unforgettable “Parmesan Cheese” performance and has continued to build a following through sharp songwriting and offbeat humor.
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The Clive Davis Institute
The Clive Davis Institute is the first and only program of its kind to provide professional business and artistic training toward a BFA in Recorded Music. We aim to provide students with the necessary skills — business, creative, and intellectual — so that they might emerge as visionary creative entrepreneurs and scholars in the evolving global music industry.
We encourage students to develop innovative musical ideas and envision new music business models, work collaboratively, cultivate both intellectual rigor and a willingness to experiment artistically, and to assume leadership roles in the art and commerce of creating and selling recorded music. We are newly located in Brooklyn, at 370 Jay Street - NYU's new home for engineers, research scientists, game designers, media artists, and musicians to interact and collaborate under one roof. We are proud to be contributing to NYU's goal of becoming the world center for technology innovation and creative engineering.
Students who enroll have a wide range of aspirations. Some aspire to become CEOs of record labels or management companies. Some aspire to become music producers who helm successful production companies. And others are performing artists, songwriters, publishers, social entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and music journalists who want to develop their business acumen so that they might build a successful brand.
Sponsors
Radio Partner: Long Island Radio Broadcasting
Performing Arts programs are supported by 2026 season sponsors Galia Meiri-Stawski and Axel Stawski, with additional lead support from Henry and Peggy Schleiff, The Melville Straus Family Endowment, Monica and Peter Tessler, and Vital Projects Fund.
Guild Hall’s Performing Arts programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
Music Programming is supported in part by The Ellen and James S. Marcus Endowment for Musical Programming, and the Anne Wolf Concert Fund.
Additional support provided by Friends of the Theater: Natascia Ayers and Jim Ciquera, Bonnie and Joel Bergstein, Gene Bernstein and Kathy Walsh, Amy Cooney and Marty Feinman, John and Joan D’Addario, Suzanne and John Golden, Hilarie and Mitchell Morgan, Steve and Susan Pesner and Peace, in memory of Michéle Pesner, whose entire life was devoted to all aspects of culture, The Schaffner Family Foundation, Lisa Schultz and Ezriel Kornel, Stacey and Oliver Stanton, and Susi and Peter Wunsch.
