Western popular music studies graduate sharpens career focus
Convocation marks culmination of Jacob McKenzie’s work to cultivate and support fellow artists
Convocation marks culmination of Jacob McKenzie’s work to cultivate and support fellow artists Jacob McKenzie always knew his future would be in music. What he didn’t expect was that a university program could open the door to a career in pop music.
McKenzie’s major in popular music studies at the Don Wright Faculty of Music integrates songwriting, audio engineering and the music business with theory and performance opportunities.
“I was really drawn to Western University when I learned I could pursue modern music and study the music industry in a four-year degree,” he said. “It’s not just about the classics – I’ve been able to create music I love and get a better understanding of the business realities for musicians.”
The program nurtured his deep appreciation not only for music, but for musicians themselves. The origins of that passion trace back to family lore. His great-grandfather intrigued him with stories about playing saxophone in Toronto taverns after he immigrated from Macedonia.
“I remember him humming Macedonian tunes. He told me how one of the musicians he performed with could hear a tune hummed and write out all the notes for every part, right on the spot. I kept thinking how cool it must have been, surrounded by people who are that passionate about music,” he said.
Read the rest of the article via Western News (by Colleen McDonald, June 9, 2026, Western News)
