Lilia Gerstmyer

Lilia Rae Gerstmyer is a New York City-based performance studies student and emerging music business professional. Over the course of her college career, Lilia has garnered experience in music publicity and live concert production, all with the goal of assisting musicians in finding and developing their fanbase. Through 'DO YOU WANNA DANCE?', Lilia explores fan-to-fan connection in an artist or band's following, demonstrating how community can be built around music.

Title of Capstone Project

DO YOU WANNA DANCE?

Description of Capstone Project

'DO YOU WANNA DANCE?' is a glimpse into the internal dynamics of music fan culture in the modern age. When we think of fandom, we most frequently consider the dynamics created and fostered between artist and fan. 'DO YOU WANNA DANCE?' turns the focus away from the stage, instead highlighting fan-to-fan relationships and how these become as important, if not more-so, than fans to the artists.

While music subculture has been historically confined to physical location, modern music subculture is now built and maintained on social media. This project explores how the two are joined, with the modern music fan developing communities that are transient yet structured. Inspired by the practices of music and fan cultures throughout history, 'DO YOU WANNA DANCE?' is a zine and an accompanying essay that holds a spotlight to the connections that are fostered in the crowds, hotel rooms, and lines outside the venue--the seemingly cosmic bringing together of people who would have otherwise never found each other.

What Inspired Your Project?

This project is intended to be a visual and conceptual glimpse into the small yet all-encompassing worlds that music fans, primarily young girls, have created for themselves. Frequently dismissed as crazed or frivolous, 'DO YOU WANNA DANCE?' argues for not only the validity, but the necessity of fan-made spaces and connections in the modern world.