Aayush Singhania was an established Electronic Dance Music promoter, producer, record label owner and event organizer in India by the age of 16. The spring admit was managing artists, negotiating deals and performing at festivals while attending a science high school in New Delhi. Now at USC, Singhania is studying business administration and looking forward to exploring the music scene in Los Angeles.
What did you do when you first found out you got into USC?
I was a bit in denial that I had gotten an acceptance letter from one of my dream schools (I actually read the letter at least a dozen times to see if I was reading it wrong). I was also a little confused about why I had gotten a spring admission. Eventually, the fact that I was in USC did hit me, and I submitted my deposit the same day.
What did you do fall semester?
I started working with my dad in his company to try to understand the business, and after getting the hang of it, I started our leather division (it’s an apparel manufacturing industry). I also sat with my grandfather to learn about textile trade in India. Most of my fall semester was spent either in an office or traveling to various textile hubs around the world for exhibitions and meetings, which I had set up.
Why did you want to be a Trojan? What does USC mean to you?
I am very impressed by the Trojan network and was attracted to USC because of the integrated courses such as the business administration with an emphasis in cinematic arts. I also love the location, as I am an electronic music producer. I’m also very excited because one of my favorite producers, ‘Zhu,’ is from USC.
What are you most excited to learn/do/experience/etc. while at USC?
I am very excited to expand my network in Los Angeles as it is a hub for electronic music and fabrics. I am also looking forward to experiencing the different cuisines available in Los Angeles as it is a very diverse city.
What piece of advice were you given about starting college that you’ll follow?
One of the most important pieces of advice I was given was I believe to keep an open mind and explore different fields before choosing my focus.
What experience in your life most shaped who you are now?
My grandfather’s teachings really shaped who I am as a person today.
What do you think/hope you’ll be like in four years?
I hope to learn a lot of new stuff at USC in these four years. Things which I might never have been able to learn/experience in studying at a college in India. I also hope to gain an insight into how businesses operate in different parts of the world, and how the culture of a certain place shapes its business practices.