Student From Reston Selected As 'Future Leader' By Television Academy

Dominique Kalunga, of Reston, Virginia, has been selected for the prestigious Bob Bennett Future Leaders program by the Television Academy Foundation in Hollywood. She is one of just 10 students selected amongst the Foundation’s forty summer interns for the initiative.

Kalunga was chosen for the Foundation’s renowned Internship Program in Hollywood earlier this year. A 2024 graduate of the University of Miami who majored in music scoring and production, she is a music intern this summer at Music Box Studios in Los Angeles, CA, through the Foundation’s program.

From Reston, VA, Kalunga attended South Lakes High School.

The Bob Bennett Future Leaders program, established in 2023 by the Robert M. and Marjie Bennett Foundation, supports select students from the internship program with financial assistance, professional development and leadership training.

“I have such respect for the Television Academy members, all of their contributions and the work they do,” said Kalunga. “It truly is a huge honor, one that I'll always try to live up to in the workplace."

“I'm most excited about getting to meet new people who are passionate about the same things I'm passionate about and who are willing to geek out for a couple hours with me about whatever new soundtrack/movie/TV show has just dropped,” said Kalunga.

“My ultimate career aspiration is to become a full-time television and film composer,” continued Kalunga, “with a body of work that showcases collaboration with talented individuals that I can truly be proud of. I personally want to come to a place where I am a master at my craft, known well enough within certain circles to consistently have opportunities to do what I love, and make amazing music for the visual medium alongside amazing people.”

The Television Academy Foundation shapes the art of creating television by engaging and educating the next generation of television professionals providing essential resources that help them discover their voices, refine their skills and forge rewarding careers in every sector of the television industry. The Internship Program provides over 50 students from across the nation with hands-on work experience, mentorships and opportunities for accelerated career development in more than 30 disciplines annually.

Foundation alumni include prominent writers, producers, documentarians, creative executives, network presidents and more. Interns also automatically become members of the Foundation’s alumni family giving them access to year-round events and networking opportunities as they build their careers in the industry.