Faculty Biography

"I try to involve the class in projects and discussions and seek their input, especially with constant changes to the music business. Getting input from students is important, because I don't think anyone can possibly keep track of everything that is going on right now. A lot of times I'll have student who knows about a new service or a different way of marketing music that I don't know about, so I think engaging the entire class in the discussion is important. They are the target market for most music and the highest consumers of music today.

"I want students to have a pretty comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the music business, but I also want them to have critical thinking skills that will allow them to succeed in the changing business, because I think just trying to teach a student about the way things have been the last 20 to 30 years is not going to help them move into a career that's viable over the next 10 years. So having critical thinking skills and the skills to be creative, think outside the box, and analyze different situations is very important. I think a number of our students go on to not be in the music business, so I'd like them to have skills that help them in every area of life.

"I think the fact that everyone at Berklee is a performer makes for an interesting dynamic. It means they understand the music behind the business, rather than someone who just likes to listen to music. Everyone in the music industry knows about Berklee, because there are so many students who come out of Berklee as performers who the industry is interested in promoting or signing. They might think more highly of Berklee because it rings a bell in their minds—Aimee Mann or John Mayer or Melissa Etheridge. It's got a great association."