From beats to business: Brandywine student finds his rhythm

MEDIA, Pa. — For many students, their first semester in college is a time of growth, transition and new challenges. For first-year Penn State Brandywine student Matthew Chang, he said, it has also been a time to grow his name and reputation in the music industry.

A native of China, Chang said he chose to attend Penn State Brandywine not only for academics, but also for a deeply personal reason tied to his family’s origin.

“My dad grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, which is right across the river from Philly,” said Chang. “Although I grew up in China, I chose Penn State Brandywine because I wanted to feel closer to home.”

Now with the intention to major in business with a focus on marketing, Chang said he is learning to balance his coursework with a growing passion and budding career in music production.

Chang’s path into music production was not something he had planned. His love for the industry grew from his curiosity during a time of uncertainty.

“There was a point in life where I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do,” said Chang. “A friend who was an electronic dance music (EDM) producer introduced me to a music-making program called FL Studio, so I downloaded it and started making my first beats.”

Chang recalled how rough his first tracks were, but he was drawn to the freedom of being able to express his emotions through music. Soon, he said, his hobby became more serious. After finding himself awake some nights at 5 a.m. making beats, he landed his first professional music contract that allowed him to collaborate with artists around the world.

While Chang prides himself on his commitment to developing unique tracks, he gives credit to artists like Don Toliver and PartyNextDoor. Throughout his music journey thus far, these artists have helped to push his creative boundaries, expanding his style to different genres.

The transition to college brought its own set of challenges. Between balancing a full course load and excelling with his creative work, Chang has adapted, he said.

“It was challenging at first, especially with the heavier workload classes,” explained Chang. “However, I have been able to adapt to the new schedule and find time to work on my music and schoolwork.”

The beauty of an academic journey has allowed Chang to find ways to intersect both music and business in ways he never expected, he said.

“My classes for my business major certainly help with being more precise in understanding and reading the numbers with my contracts,” said Chang.

Outside the studio and classroom, Chang is enjoying the community feel of Brandywine’s campus. Eager to meet new people and take on new experiences, Brandywine has been the perfect destination, he said.

“Given the size of the campus, you get to meet new people and find those who share the same interests as you much faster and easier,” said Chang.

With his first semester coming to an end shortly, Chang said, he continues to make waves in both the classroom and music production. Whether he is writing an essay or laying down beats on his latest track, he is building a career one beat (and class) at a time.