The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music in the Tisch School of the Arts has announced it will begin offering a new Master Class Series in music production, business, and image-making for college students, high school students, working professionals, as well as the general public.
The Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music in the Tisch School of the Arts has announced it will begin offering a new Master Class Series in music production, business, and image-making for college students, high school students, working professionals, as well as the general public. The series, which starts May 17 and goes for six weeks, will offer a unique opportunity to study with music industry’s master practitioners such as Kevin Liles, Mick Rock, and the DJ Rekha, among others.
“We’re really excited to be able to bring this unprecedented level of talent to NYU,” said Clive Davis Department Artistic Director Jason King. “We think anyone who has the desire and passion for the music business can succeed with the necessary knowledge and tools we can provide.”
Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music Chair Jeff Rabhan added: “These courses teach the skills that students need to move ahead while also gaining entrepreneurial knowledge. The behind-the-scenes information learned in these classes is the kind that can last an entire lifetime.”
The classes are:
Making It in the Music Biz – Kevin Liles, former executive vice president of The Island Def Jam Music Group and The Warner Music Group, and Jeff Rabhan, who is also a multiplatinum music manager (Kelly Rowland, Kelly Clarkson, and Jermaine Dupri), will give students the inside track on how to turn their music business fantasies into reality and provide hands-on help with student music demos and business plans.
Music Photography -- Mick Rock, the visual genius behind the landmark iconic images of Bowie, Queen, T-Rex and Lady Gaga, among others, will team up with former Geffen Records creative director Joe Mama-Nitzberg for this Master Class. Rock will reveal his unique artistic process and will work directly with students to help shape their photographic vision. Students will also get to study music fashion history and have the extraordinary opportunity to observe a Mick Rock photography session.
DJ History, Culture and Technique – DJ Rekha, one of the key figures behind the South Asian dance music scene, will team up with 2009 DMC World DJ Champion DJ Shiftee to offer a master class in DJ history, entrepreneurial training and technique for aspiring turntable fiends, regardless of skill level. The course is taught both at NYU and state-of-the-art Dubspot DJ facilities just blocks away.
Mixing and Production – Grammy award-winning studio engineers Kevin Killen (U2, Peter Gabriel, and Elvis Costello) and Bob Power (D’Angelo, Common, Erykah Badu) will each offer a master class in his specialty.
The Art and Business of The Remix – Mocean Worker, journeyman remixer/producer will teach students the finer points of cutting and mixing.
The Clive Davis Department also offers a wide array of other summer classes as well as an Internship Program with major record labels and recording studios among other potential places of employment. Classes for the first summer session begin May 17, 2010. For more information and the full schedule of courses, call 212.992.8400, or visit.
Since it opened its doors in 2003, the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music has been a leader in training aspiring music entrepreneurs. The program has been on the cutting edge of music education, offering innovative courses like “The History of Def Jam,” “Emerging Music Trends,” and “Branding.” The program bears the name of its chief patron and advisor, Clive Davis.