Stanza was born out of frustration with existing streaming algorithms that prioritize popularity over discovery, making it difficult for listeners to find new music and nearly impossible for independent and student musicians to gain visibility. The product was built using Python to power the core recommendation logic and Apple Music integration, enabling vibe-based music matching that aligns songs with real student activities such as studying, creating, or relaxing. Development was guided by extensive user research, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups with students, which I analyzed to inform feature design and product roadmapping. These insights revealed widespread algorithm fatigue and a desire for more intentional, context-aware music discovery, directly shaping Stanza’s functionality and recommendation flow. In addition to product strategy, I led all branding and visual design efforts and supported front-end development, ensuring that the interface reinforced Stanza’s mission of uplifting student and indie musicians through a cohesive, human-centered experience.