Sadie Miller is a sophomore studying at Syracuse University with a passion for anything she can create. Sadie studies Television, Radio, and Film, while also taking music classes in the Setnor School of Music. In her freshman year of college, Miller built a studio in her dorm room to write, compose, and produce her own music during the lonely time of the pandemic.
Sadie is not the first of Syracuse students to produce their own music in small spaces like a dorm. Named artist, such as Claro and The Chainsmokers, started their music career here at Syracuse. SU is known for its live-music events and concerts, most of the performers being students themselves.
Through the eyes of Sadie Miller, I wanted to document the life of a student musician and how she finds time for creating music, despite a busy academic and social schedule. I wanted to document the emotions artists can feel in such a tough industry where the stakes are very high. Sadie has a true passion for the art of music and it has been weaved into many facets of her life. Sadie was writing her own music in the second grade and had the opportunity to record in the third. She built a platform through recording on only her keyboard and microphone, composing pieces about her love life. From the words of Sadie, “Music just makes me feel so much.”
Portrait of Sadie Miller inside the studio with a wide smile on her face on November 5th, 2021.
Sadie Miller lying by her recording spot in Watson Hall, working on a new song she has been creating on October 22nd, 2021.
Sadie Miller playing piano in the Setnor Music Hall, preparing for her music class in the afternoon on November 1st, 2021.
Sadie Miller walking the halls of the Setnor Music School, taking out her airpods for playing on November 1st, 2021. Sadie spends her days here, practicing piano before her afternoon courses.
Sadie Miller in one of Setnor's many private studio rooms, working on a music peice for her class on November 1st, 2021.
Sadie Miller writing new lyrics in her music journal for a song she is working on, on October 22nd, 2021.
The items on Sadie's floor on December 3rd, 2021, a late Friday night.
Sadie Miller rehersing her piece in the Setnor practice room, with the shadow of herself behind her on November 1st, 2021.
Sadie Miller doing her makeup for a night out on campus on December 3rd, 2021.
Sadie Miller preforming the first act at the University Union student show on November 12th, 2021. This was Sadie's first public performance on Syracuse's campus.
