From Seton Hall to the Studio

Davis, Wagenblast and Miranda at Atlantic Records Studio in Manhattan.

Seton Hall University alum Bernie Wagenblast is featured on Lin-Manuel Miranda's new album Warriors, lending her voice to several tracks alongside artists like Nas, Marc Anthony and Phillipa Soo. A journalist, radio personality and the voice of New York City subway announcements, Wagenblast's career began at Seton Hall.

The collaboration on Warriors began with a phone call from a sound engineer in Toronto. After signing a non-disclosure agreement, Wagenblast discovered the project was for Miranda. Warriors, a concept album by Miranda and Eisa Davis, is inspired by the 1979 action film The Warriors. Reflecting on the experience, Wagenblast said, "I couldn't believe Lin even knew who I was, much less was a fan!"

Wagenblast credits her time at Seton Hall and WSOU, the University's radio station, as pivotal to her career. "My focus while a student was radio and working at WSOU," she explained. "During those years I had an opportunity to ask questions of the President of the United States, the Vice President and the Governor of New Jersey. Being able to talk to such high-level individuals gave me a self-confidence I never had before. Years later I came to appreciate how the overall communication skills I learned at Seton Hall would be key to my career."

The most thrilling part of the Warriors project for Wagenblast was recording in Atlantic Records studio in Manhattan with Miranda and co-creator Davis. "Being in a recording studio taking direction from Lin and Eisa was the highlight," she said. "I was fortunate to see the original cast of Hamilton and never could have imagined that several years later I would work with Lin and his next big musical project."

In October, Wagenblast attended the album release party, where she heard the completed project and her voice on five tracks for the first time. "Seeing my name on the album, alongside others such as Nas, Marc Anthony and Phillipa Soo, was unbelievable," she said.

Wagenblast shared advice for students aspiring to careers in communications, media and beyond. "I used to tell students to take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. That's still good advice, but even better is to look for times where you can create opportunities. Perhaps you can create something new or do something in a different way. That will help you to stand out from all those who are equally talented. Not every idea will work, but you can build on from what you learned."

Equally important, Wagenblast emphasized, is to "be a good person." She reflected, "Looking back over my career, I see so many who helped me progress and I hope that I've done the same for others. Those small things are seen and remembered, even when you don't realize it."

Her journey from WSOU to collaborating with Miranda underscores the value of Seton Hall's emphasis on communication and opportunity.

Categories: Alumni