Wheaton College Alumni Magazine Spring 2013 | Page 23

side and got a taste for all it could be,” she says. After hearing stories from other Wheaton alumni, Elise came to realize that none of them gave up on their passions. “They worked every job,” she says, “and God has been faithful to them through music. He is faithful over time.” Ian Eskelin ’92, a producer, songwriter, solo artist, and founding member of the Grammy-nominated Christian rock band All Star United, also met with the group at his own studio in Franklin, Tennessee. He has more than 30 top-ten singles in the United States, including 12 number-one charting songs, and has won two Dove Awards. “We talked about transitioning from college to chasing after those dreams,” he says. “You have to be just crazy enough and brave enough to chase them through open doors—or slammed doors, in some cases.” David Hamilton adds, “When you step into the creative world, there are a lot of opportunities, but you have to hit the ball when you step up to the plate. There are a lot of people waiting in line behind you.” David and Sandy Hamilton are both alumni of the Wheaton College Conservatory of Music. After David finished graduate school, they followed his dream of working in the music business and moved to Nashville. Since that time, he has worked on projects for artists across a wide range of genres and has recorded in studios around the world. He talked with the students about preparing for his upcoming recording for Disney at Abbey Road Studios in London. Last year David was invited to join the Leadership Council— a group of Wheaton alumni, parents, and friends formed two years ago by the alumni relations staff for the purpose of coming alongside administrators and faculty in helping students con 6