Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating Students in PreSchool through Grade 12
Educating Students in PreSchool through Grade 12
News Detail
2023 Alumnus Dives into a Music Career
Class of 2023 alumnus Kaleb Cohen was busy pursuing a bachelor’s degree in cinematography at the Dodge College of Film and Media Arts in Orange, Calif., and playing in a band with his college friends. Just for fun, he decided to put a video of one of his songs, East Coast Summers, up on TikTok, and it took off.
Kaleb’s video went viral with tens of thousands of views and listens on YouTube, Spotify, and social media.
Kaleb even received a direct message on TikTok from Dalton Mauldin, who plays minor league baseball in Georgia for the Savannah Bananas.
“Dalton asked if he could use East Coast Summers as his walk-up song,” recalled Kaleb. “He even wanted to know the chords to my song so he could perform it live in front of the crowds and as a music video on social media.”
Soon, Kaleb was juggling his college finals in California and recording East Coast Summers at the Starbucks headquarters in New York City for one of their social media posts.
“It’s been a fast start to my career,” said Kaleb. “But I dove right in: getting an agent, listing with the Creative Arts Agency, fielding offers, scheduling shows, and looking at singles, an EP, or even an album.”
While this all sounds fast-paced, Kaleb has been making music since he was 3 years old and writing and performing his own music when he was a junior at Hamden Hall.
Kaleb did not attend Hamden Hall in middle school and reflected that the school he was enrolled in was “rough.”
“It wasn’t cool to be creative. I was into film, music, and sports. I was bullied, and I was unhappy,” recalled Kaleb. “My parents pushed me to switch to Hamden Hall, but I did not want to go because of the stress of getting to know new people and being an outsider.”
“However, Hamden Hall provided an environment where you can be you,” said Kaleb. “This new situation gave me confidence. I became the captain of the baseball team and continued to play music. The students are also multifaceted at Hamden Hall, and they are motivated by their teachers.”
And while the lyrics haven’t been written yet in terms of what’s next for Kaleb, music - and all that that involves - is definitely on the play list!
“There’s no Plan B,” he said. “I’m pursuing my dream of playing my music before an audience and hearing them sing back to me. I’m going to be playing and performing music until I’m 85 years old.”
Kaleb credits Hamden Hall for giving him the confidence to start a band his freshman year at college.
“I was in a tough spot before Hamden Hall,” recalls Kaleb. ”But their support system transformed my confidence. It’s a special place.”
1108 Whitney Avenue
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden, Connecticut 06517
Phone: 203-752-2600
Fax: 203-752-2651
admissions@hamdenhall.org
Hamden Hall Country Day School, located less than two miles from Yale University, is one of the best private schools in Connecticut to enroll elementary, middle, and high school students. Our nurturing and inclusive community provides a dynamic learning environment that promotes academic excellence by understanding each child and fostering their individual growth.
