cl ass ac tions
Pepperdine University School of Law
of music and musical theory. “My music world just exploded wide open because I spent every day being filled with all this amazing stuff: classical, jazz, world, everything,” Tang remembers. “There were a lot of concerts and talented, open-minded people. If you needed someone to perform your string quartet, you just had to ask your classmates. it was an amazing environment in which to study.”
Thanks alumni for participating in the Fourth Annual Golf Tournament Hosted by alumnus Barak Vaughn (JD '01)
Following graduation, he chose to travel for a few years while deciding which direction to go with his music. He even spent some time living in a Buddhist temple in Hong Kong (where his great-aunt is the head nun) writing songs and helping out with other volunteers. Although he’s not Buddhist, Tang enjoyed learning from the nuns, waking up to morning prayers, meeting short-term volunteers, and composing music.
See photos at: law.pepperdine.edu/alumni/events/photos
Eventually, Tang returned to the states, where he worked odd jobs in the entertainment industry. Under the encouragement of his friends, he began playing at open mic nights and working community musical events both as a performer and an organizer. “Community is a big deal to me because I think it’s so underestimated, especially here in Los Angeles. I really feel like it’s the most interesting way to create art and to put yourself out there, both individually and as a group,” he says. Despite Tang’s success and growing presence in the music community, he missed the intellectual challenge he had as an undergraduate. After working for a few years, he set his sights on law school. At Pepperdine, Tang studied hard and built community through the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association (APALSA), serving as president for two years. During his third year, he interned at Rhino Entertainment. “We have a great externship office, led by Professor Laurie Serafino, and I definitely took advantage of that,” says Tang. After taking the bar exam, he spent several months looking for a job until a position opened at Rhino. He now spends his days drafting contracts and working on the general licensing of the Warner Music Group repertoire. He reflects, “I was lucky to have the mentorship of some Pepperdine alumni who are entertainment lawyers, like Jennifer Schaeffer (SC '98, JD '02) as well as the ridiculously large Rolodex (and heart) of Professor Janet Kerr (SC '75, JD '78) not to mention the constant support of the Career Development Office.” His daily work is demanding and fast paced, but a quick Internet search will reveal that Tang still does what he did in small-town Pennsylvania and in a Buddhist nunnery in Hong Kong—sit down at the piano and create music.
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