Ari Herstand

Musician, best-selling author, CEO of Ari’s Take, actor

Memorial's music and theater programs completely shaped who I am. I fell in love with music and theater because of the musicals (Anything Goes, Fiddler on the Roof, West Side Story and 42nd Street), plays (Streetcar Named Desire, Up the Down Staircase, Night Watch) and all of the band (jazz, pit, concert), orchestra and choir classes I was so fortunate to be a part of. I took my training from Memorial and turned it into a successful music career - I have released multiple albums and have played over 1,000 shows all over the world. I also took my acting chops (thanks to the plays and musicals I was part of at Memorial) and landed some TV co-starring roles on Mad Men, 2 Broke Girls, Transparent and Sam & Cat out here in LA. I now run an online music school, Ari's Take Academy, with over 2,500 students helping musicians build careers in the new music business. Memorial's music and theater departments are the reason I am who I am today. I couldn't be more grateful for the experience and opportunities I received.