Dave Kusek

Dave Kusek is an American business executive, music educator, author, and software developer known for his work in the music industry.[1][2] After working as chief engineer at Star Instruments in the 1970s,[3] in 1980 he became the founding CEO of the music software company Passport Designs.[3] With Passport he helped develop Master Tracks and Encore,[3] and also co-developed software and hardware that utilized the then newly introduced MIDI interface.[4]

Dave Kusek
Born
Southington, CT
NationalityUSA
Alma materUniversity of Connecticut
OccupationBusiness executive, entrepreneur, music educator, author, software developer, online music business courses
Years active1975-present
OrganizationNew Artist Model
Known forFounding Passport Designs, MIDI software development, founding Berkleemusic.com
WebsiteNewArtistModel.com

From 1997 to 2012 he taught music business at Berklee College of Music,[1][3] becoming a vice president[4][1] and founding its online music school Berkleemusic.com.[3][4] In 2005, Kusek co-wrote the music business book, The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution.[5] In 2014 Kusek launched New Artist Model, an online music business school,[6] which has been featured in publications such as Billboard,[2] CMJ,[6] and the Boston Globe.[1]

Early life and education

Dave Kusek was born in 1955 in Southington, Connecticut.[1] From 1974 until 1980, Kusek studied music, communication, and computer science at the University of Connecticut.[3]

Business career

Star Instruments and Passport Designs (1970s-95s)
Main article: Passport Designs

From 1975 until 1979 Kusek worked as chief engineer at Star Instruments, which made electronic drums such as the Synare.[3] He became the founding CEO of Passport Designs in 1980, also taking on the role of president.[3] The company developed music software allowing musicians to record and produce music using home studios. Among other programs, the company developed Master Tracks, Encore, MusicTime, Alchemy and the Soundchaser.[3] While with Passport, he co-developed software and hardware interfaces using new the then new Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI) industry standard.[4] He worked with Passport Designs until 1995.[3]

Digital Cowboys (1997-present)

In 1997, Kusek founded and became managing partner of Digital Cowboys, a digital media consultancy. Clients over time included companies such as AOL, IBM, Nokia, A&M Records, BMG, Polygram, Nettwerk, Roland, Yamaha, Boston Acoustics, Liquid Audio, Kaman Music and Berklee College of Music.[3]

Berklee Music (1997-12)

Kusek started teaching music business at Berklee College of Music in 1997, where he continued to teach for 14 years[1][3] and became a vice president of the college.[4][1] As founder and CEO of Berkleemusic, now called Berklee Online,[7][3] Kusek created educational curricula as part of the first online music school.[8][4] Berkleemusic won the award for the Best Online Course from the University Professional & Continuing Education Association for eight consecutive years.[9] Kusek wrote a music business book, The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution with co-author Gerd Leonhard.[5] Kusek left Berklee in 2012[3][4]

New Artist Model (2014-present)

Kusek is currently founder and CEO of New Artist Model, an online music business school for musicians,[2] songwriters, producers, and managers.[2] According to Billboard, Kusek started the course "to help build a next generation of independent artists."[2] The first eight week Essential online course debuted in early 2014,[6] and topics include "licensing, publishing, e-commerce, concerts, promotion and networking."[2] In April 2014, Music X-Ray, Bandzoogle and CDBaby became affiliates of New Artist Model.[10] The program has been used by artists such as Eden Kai, who won the Brown Bags to Stardom award in Hawaii in 2015.[11] By 2018, enrollment in the school reached 3,700 members from 60 countries.[1]

Publishing history
Year Title Authors Publishing details
2005The Future of MusicGerd Leonhard, Dave Kusek[5]Berklee Press (Jan 1, 2005) / ISBN 978-0876390597
2015Hack the Music BusinessDave Kusek[5]New Artist Model (Jan 1, 2015) /

See also

Further reading

References
  1. Conti, Kathleen (March 4, 2016). "Berklee online school creator now steers his own from Cohasset home". Boston Globe. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  2. Peoples, Glenn (February 3, 2014). "With New Online Education Platform, Dave Kusek Wants to Build Music's Middle Class". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  3. "David Kusek". Berkleemusic.com. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  4. Peoples, Glenn (April 20, 2012). "Dave Kusek Leaves Berklee College of Music to Focus on Digital Startups". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  5. "The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution (Berklee Press): David Kusek, Gerd Leonhard: 9780876390597: Amazon.com: Books". Amazon.com. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  6. "Dave Kusek Launches 'New Artist Model,' An Online Course For Musicians". CMJ. January 16, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-22.
  7. "Berklee College scores its online program in music". Boston Business Journal. April 28, 2003. Retrieved 2003-04-28.
  8. "Singing Praises". Boston Business Journal. May 24, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-24.
  9. "Berkleemusic Awards". Berkleemusic.com. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.
  10. Till, Jesse (April 29, 2014). "Music Business School "New Artist Model" gains new partners with Bandzoogle, CMJ, and PressKit". Retrieved 2016-04-25.
  11. Smith, Erin (May 20, 2015). "Heels & Picks: Kai eyes L.A. after Brown Bags win". Honolulu Pulse. Retrieved 2016-04-25.
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