Faculty

Steve Cole
Steve.Cole@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2009
Primary Department: Music Business
Formal Education:MBA at the University of Chicago, Booth School of Business

Professional Experience: A native of Chicago, Illinois, saxophonist Steve Cole is one of the most  celebrated players in contemporary jazz, having sold hundreds of thousands  of albums worldwide and scored five #1 R&R Smooth Jazz hits. He attended  Northwestern University, where he explored modern classical music for the  saxophone under the tutelage of internationally recognized educator Fred  Hemke. While in undergraduate school, this gifted musician was a  semi-finalist in the National Foundation for the Advancement in the Arts and  one of three finalists in the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition and was awarded the privilege of performing Tableaux De Provence  by Paule Maurice with the Orchestra.  Cole went on to earn his MBA at  the University of Chicago, Booth School of business, which paved the way in  his being appointed to Professor Music Business Management at Columbia College Chicago before coming to McNally Smith College.
                       
The artist has seven CDs in his  catalog and has previously recorded for Atlantic, Warner Brothers, Shanachie  and EMI/Blue Note. Recently Steve signed a multiple album deal with Mack Avenue/Artistry Music. The first project for the label entitled  Moonlight is a collection of classic pop songs and standards set amidst an orchestral backdrop. The project includes such iconic songs as the Bacharach  & David penned The Look of Love, folk songs Cry Me a River, Shenandoah, The Long and Winding Road (Beatles) and Close Your Eyes (James Taylor) to  name a few. In addition to the strings, the arrangements include tastefully  placed harp, woodwinds and tempered brass. The supporting rhythm section is  comprised of Mike Logan (Will Downing) on keyboards, Russell Ferrante  (Yellowjackets) piano and Steve Rodby (Pat Metheny Group) on bass. The  string arrangements were provided by the very talented composer/arranger Michael Cunningham.
                       
Cole began his professional career, playing sessions and club dates wherever possible; he recorded with blues  legend Junior Wells and began playing, writing and producing with Atlantic  Records artists Brian Culbertson. His visibility at the label grew, and soon  Cole signed his own deal with Atlantic. He released his debut disc, Stay  Awhile, in 1998; it yielded the hits “Where the Night Begins,” “When I Think  of You” and “Say It Again” and earned Cole a Prism Award for Best New Artist  at the 2000 Oasis Smooth Jazz Awards. Additionally, Steve has toured and/or  recording with Boz Scaggs, Larry Carlton, Jeff Lorber Brian Culbertson,  Freddie Cole, Cyrus Chestnut, KMFDM, Rick Braun and is a founding member,  along with Jeff Kashiwa and Kim Waters of The Sax Pack.
                       
An accomplished Musician, Writer and  Producer, Steve is currently under contract as a recording artist with  Mack Avenue/Artistry  Music, and as a writer with  Universal Music Publishing where he has published over 50  works.

Ashly Bew
Ashly.Bew@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2004
Primary Department: Music Business
Formal Education:B.M. Music Business with Journalism minor, University of Memphis; J.D. (May 2009), William Mitchell College of Law

Professional Experience: Ashly Bew was first introduced to the music business by watching her family operate a music venue, the Antenna, in Memphis, TN.  As a teen, Ashly provided booking, promotion, and accommodation functions for bands in the local D.I.Y. punk rock, hardcore, and electronic scenes of Florida and East Tennessee.  Bew has augmented her experience in music business at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul by focusing her studies primarily in the area of Intellectual Property.

Bruce Cook
Bruce.Cook@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2004
Primary Department: Music Business
Secondary Department: Engineering
Formal Education: B.A. English Literature, University of Minnesota; B.S. Education, University of Minnesota

Professional Experience: Graduate coursework in Electronic Music Lab, Modern Musicology, Pop Music and Society, History of the Symphony, Music of the 20th Century, Ars Nova: Medieval and Renaissance Music, Mass Media, and Film History; classes, seminars, and workshops at Pepperdine University, UCLA, and National Academy of Songwriters on music business law, songwriting, vocal production and performance. Certification: Web Designer Institute U of MN. Other teaching experience: NEI College of Technology, Dunwoody Institute, public schools - English/Language Arts grades 7-12. Bruce Cook has released three self-produced CDs, one of medieval renaissance music which was used as a soundtrack for the video game “Kronin’s Kronicles,” released world-wide. Internet promotion and distribution of original pop and rock has generated tens of thousands of downloads and listens. Bruce has performed in legendary Los Angeles nightspots showcasing original music as a singer/songwriter. He has also worked as an English teacher, and a freelance web designer/consultant specializing in multimedia streaming and Flash.

Gilbert Davison
Gilbert.Davison@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2008
Primary Department: Music Business

Professional Experience:

Gilbert Davison is a native Minnesotan with 25 years experience in the field of music and entertainment. Mr. Davison’s entertainment career began in 1984 when, as a college student of computer programming and business he was selected by the recording artist Prince (and to Prince’s touring company PRN Productions) to provide personal security for various entertainers, clients, and company executives during a year-long
tour of the United States. After this engagement, Mr. Davison was promoted to Director of Security of PRN Productions parent company, Paisley Park Studios, in Chanhassen Minnesota.

During the years of 1985 - 1987 Mr. Davison’s exposure to the entertainment field expanded beyond personal security and concerts, to film, video, music business management, music promotion, film promotion, public relations management, and entertainment management.

From 1988 - 1989 Mr. Davison’s responsibilities increased to numerous aspects of company operations, including film production, video production, concert touring, audio recording production, and television production. In addition to  these various duties, Mr. Davison also served as liaison to the CEO of Paisley Park Enterprises.

In conjunction with this growing career, Mr. Davison launched his own Entertainment company, Heaven & Earth Inc., in September of 1989. Heaven & Earth Inc.(1989 - present) was developed to produce entertainment venues which would capitalize on the growing concert and nightlife entertainment industry.

In October 1990, Heaven & Earth -- with Mr. Davison as its President and CEO -- launched the largest entertainment facility for nightlife in the Twin Cities, “Glam Slam." (Glam Slam was  also recognized as one of the premiere nightlife venues in the country.) This project went on to produce a franchise venues in Yokahama Japan, and satellite venues in Los Angeles California, and Miami Florida. During November 1989, Mr. Davison was asked to assume full responsibility for all business aspects of Paisley Park Enterprises and was named President of that company (1989 - 1994).

Through Heaven & Earth Inc., Mr. Davison went on to influence the live concert and dance music scenes in Minneapolis, Yokahama, Los Angeles and Miami. During Mr. Davison’s leadership, Paisley Park Enterprises experienced some of its most profitable and successful years, making headlines in the music industry with what was acknowledged as the largest recording contract in the industry at that time, the launching of Paisley Park Records, world concert tours, launching of CD ROM programs, production of television programs, development of retail stores, and the launching of various music artists.

Mr. Davison is currently the Owner/President of Heaven & Earth Inc. He is also active in consulting and artist management through his company, Double Edge Management.

Charles Gehr
Charles.Gehr@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2008
Primary Department: Music Business
Formal Education:M.B.A. Augsburg College; B.A. Augsburg College

Professional Experience: Charles Gehr is an educator for the Minnesota School of Business, a touring musician and studio performer.

Gehr has worked with Ouija Radio, Mark Mallman, Hundred Flowers, The Short Fuses, Mid Carson July, Steve Clarke, JMN Band, Fe Fi FoFum Sextet, Alicia Wiley, Augsburg Concert Band, Bethel Orchestra, Leonard Mattsen Quartet, Money S, Bound, The Evil Eyes, Rebeka Fisher Band, The Resonators, and Subseason.

As a booking agent, he worked directly with artists, management, and talent buyers to coordinate tours and events for internationally recognized artists.

David Hyslop
David.Hyslop@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2010
Primary Department: Music Business
Formal Education:B.S. in Music Education from Ithaca College

Professional Experience: David Hyslop's 45-year career in arts management includes 32 years serving as Chief Executive Officer for three of the nation’s top symphony orchestras — Minnesota Orchestra (1991-2003), St. Louis Symphony (1978-1991), and Oregon Symphony (1972-1978).

During his long tenures in Minnesota and St. Louis, he was also responsible for the operation of Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis and Powell Hall in St. Louis.

Since 2004, Mr. Hyslop has consulted for a number of organizations including the Buffalo Philharmonic, Santa Fe Opera, Duluth Superior Symphony Orchestra, West Virginia Symphony, Sun Valley Arts Center, Wheaton Grand Theater, City of Federal Way, Washington, Omaha Symphony, Tulsa Symphony, Houston Symphony and many more. His company is named Hyslop & Associates at www.davidhyslop.com.

He has served on the boards of the Greater Minneapolis Convention and Visitors Association, Minneapolis Downtown Council, American Symphony Orchestra League, and the Minnesota State Fair Foundation.

Mr. Hyslop’s illustrious career has brought him many honors.  Among these, a Minnesota Orchestra Subscription Concert was dedicated to him in his final season with the Orchestra. The David J. Hyslop Trumpet Chair was Endowed in Perpetuity by the St. Louis Symphony in 1991. Fanfare for D.H. was composed for Mr. Hyslop’s 10th Anniversary with the Symphony by Pulitzer-winning composer Joseph Schwantner. He was awarded the Martha Baird Rockefeller Grant by the American Symphony Orchestra League in 1966.

Scott LeGere
Scott.LeGere@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2010
Primary Department: Music Business
Formal Education: BA, Carleton College; Masters of Education, Full Sail University; MS in progress

Professional Experience: For the past 15 years, Scott LeGere has played key roles in the ownership and operation of audio recording facilities, independent record labels, and commercial music production companies. As a musician, engineer, and producer, Scott’s work has been critically acclaimed and contributed to a Grammy Nomination with the Brian Setzer Orchestra for Best Rock Instrumental in 2009, and most recently a Bronze Lion in the 2010 Cannes International Advertising Awards.

The managing director of several multi-room recording studios including Echo Bay Productions, Prince’s famed Paisley Park, and now his own sound design facility, NoWare, Scott has witnessed first-hand the dramatic changes affecting the economics of content production, distribution and promotion. Together, these diverse avenues have afforded Scott a unique insight into the current trends and practices shaping today’s modern business models and media strategies.

Alongside his professional work, Scott has been speaking at national conferences and teaching at the Institute for Production and Recording since 2002, recently serving as their Director of Research and Development creating new courses and supporting faculty training. With a BA from Carleton College and a technology focused Masters of Education from Full Sail University, Scott is excited to be a part of McNally Smith’s Business Department providing students with a current analysis of the modern media industry in issues such as media production, copyright, marketing, business ethics, entrepreneurship, and contemporary industry trends.

When not working, Scott enjoys international travel, scouring the country for vintage keyboards, listening to Jimmy Smith on vinyl, and taking exceedingly long bike rides around Minnesota justifying hand-built Belgium bicycles and lycra clothing as "cheaper than therapy."
 

Steve McClellan
Stephen.McClellan@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2005
Primary Department: Music Business

Professional Experience: Thirty Two years; General Manager and Talent Buyer at a single concert venue (First Avenue Nightclub). Memberships: Presently – Vice President of the Cedar Cultural Center Board of Directors; Consultant/Primary Volunteer for DEMO (Diverse Emerging Music Organization); Membership Committee for the Metro IBA (Independent Business Alliance); and some other organizations, like KFAI Radio, MPIRG Board of Directors (Minnesota Public Interest Research Group; MMA Board of Directors (Minnesota Music Academy); Downtown Warehouse Association Board of Directors, and several other organizations that go back to University of Minnesota days non-arts related (political and social services). fter working multiple jobs while at the University of Minnesota I got stuck in a facility called First Avenue for thirty-two years. I worked all aspects of the “venue” music business: operations, primary talent buyer, marketing director, general manager, and “ambassador” to government bodies and social institutions.  Having been recently paroled from that facility, I am finding a brand new world in which to relate my work experience to the students at McNally Smith.  It’s actually quite liberating for a “music business” veteran.

Additional Experience: Panels, Boards, Operational Manager.

Dave Olson
Dave.Olson@mcnallysmith.edu
Assistant Department Chair, Music Business
Faculty Member Since: 1996
Primary Department: Music Business
Secondary Department: Engineering
Formal Education: University of Minnesota

Professional Experience:

David Olson has been involved with the Business Department of McNally Smith College since 1996. Prior to joining the staff, he performed as a guitarist/vocalist for a number of commercially successful groups before turning his attention to the recording studio. Dave has worked as a studio guitarist, vocalist, writer and arranger for the stage, radio and television productions, and corporate videos. He has written for, performed and appeared in national and regional radio and television jingles. In addition to teaching at McNally Smith, he still owns and operates his own project studio and particularly enjoys working with singers and songwriters on their demo productions.

Craig Rice
Craig.Rice@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 1993
Primary Department: Music Business

Professional Experience:

Craig Rice is an award-winning producer and director, and is nationally recognized for his distinguished career in the television and film industry. His work has been nominated for four Emmy Awards, an NAACP Award, and several other honors.

Rice recently served as Executive Director of the Minnesota Film and TV Board. He recently produced a 90-minute PBS variety show “A The Prairie Home Companion 30th,” and is co-producing and directing a documentary on the life and works of designer/artist Michael Graves.
 

Rice recently served as director and executive producer for the feature length documentary “Half Past Autumn: The Life and Works of Gordon Parks” for HBO, which was nominated for three Emmy awards, a NAACP Image Award, and was selected to the Museum of Television and Radio in the year 2000. The documentary won the Tree of Life Award from The Friends of the Motion Picture Academy and has been selected for dozens of festivals.

Other accomplishments include serving as the Director of Paisley Park Enterprises, Inc., producing several full-length films for Prince including Graffiti Bridge. Craig also managed and worked with a number of international recording artists including Bobby Brown, Taj Mahal, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston and Alexander O’Neal. Rice has also directed dozens of music videos with artists including Prince, Patti LaBelle and Sounds of Blackness.

During his career as a documentary producer and director, he has been involved in documentaries such as Funkytown, Ingrid Chavez: Artist, Bobby: Bobby Brown, Art Pepper: Notes From a Jazz Survivor, Prince, the ABC television special We Teach Our Children and Our Sacred Land with Chris Spotted Eagle for PBS. As a commercial producer and award-winning director, Rice has helmed commercials for clients such as Amoco, Nike, Target, Kraft, the United Way, McDonald’s and the Partnership for Drug Free America.

Rice’s film career began as an assistant director on feature films including Purple Rain and Brother From Another Planet, as a production assistant for ABC Wide World of Sports in New York.  Rice holds a Production Degree from the University of Southern California Cinema Department. While a student there, Rice received an Emmy nomination for We Teach Our Children.  Rice also attended the Minneapolis College of Art & Design and the University of Minnesota with a Film/Photography and Theatre Major.

Gary Rue
Gary.Rue@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2007
Primary Department: Composition
Secondary Department: Music Business

Professional Experience: Gary has been writing music for a wide variety of applications since his early teens.  Recording credits include LOST IN THE SHUFFLE performed by Helen Reddy on the European release of her greatest hits compilation, and EVERYONE, recorded by Nick Lowe on his Columbia Records release THE ROSE OF ENGLAND (the song found its way to Nick via pop idol Elvis Costello, a fan of Rue's band, RUE NOUVEAU).

Mr. Rue has over 70 theater musicals to his credit, among these, PAINTING IT RED by Steven Dietz (author of the Pulitzer Prize nominee LAST OF THE BOYS), which enjoyed wide exposure nationally, including a very successful 6 week run at BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATER’s Second Stage in Berkeley, California.  Gary is also composer-in-residence at SteppingStone Theatre of St Paul. One of these commission, THE STINKY CHEESE MAN recently completed a national tour (including a series of performances in Shanghai, China) with the Dallas Children’s Theatre.

Gary had also served since 1986 as conductor and arranger in North America for ‘60’s pop star Gene Pitney (“The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance”, “Town Without Pity”) and his 15 piece orchestra until Mr. Pitney’s death in 2006.

Watch Gary talk about songwriting.

Duane Schwarzbauer
Duane.Schwarzbauer@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2008
Primary Department: Music Business
Formal Education:MBA from University of St. Thomas

Professional Experience:

Duane Schwarzbauer earned his MBA at the University of St. Thomas and is a certified public accountant, as well as a certified management accountant. Duane has been teaching since 1988 and has been an accountant since 1982.

Todd Walker
Todd.Walker@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2007
Primary Department: Music Business
Formal Education: Bachelor in Business Marketing and Communications, Concordia College, St. Paul, Minnesota

Professional Experience: Todd has an extensive background in promotions and publicity, including working as a talent agent, representing well-known clients in the entertainment industry. He’s a whiz at building strategic partnerships and new business development. To give you an idea of the types of clients he has represented, here is a short list of prominent companies he has worked with Carlson Companies, Sara Lee Corporation, Kodak, Target and many nationally recognized celebrity, author’s and entertainers. His professional experience includes Senior Level Advertising Agency Account Management, Technology Sales and Marketing, Public Relations and Promotions, Financial Services, and New Product Development. Todd is currently employed as a features reporter for FOX 9 television in Minnesota. His TV experience includes being an on-air host for many different TV related projects including Home Shopping, Infomercials and various TV Commercials. Todd has also worked as an on-air radio host and as a print model. You may also recognize Todd from his three year run as the host and executive producer of the nationally syndicated TV show “Million Dollar Idea”. His work has also included time in the corporate sector where he served as VP of Business Development for a strategic business consulting firm specializing in communications, marketing and advertising. In addition, Todd was an agent for the Lazear Agency, representing celebrity personalities, merchandise and books. He also worked for Best Buy Corporation in new product development, marketing and advertising and as Director of Business Development for Periscope Advertising, responsible for the management of all new business activities.

Aaron Young
Aaron.Young@mcnallysmith.edu
Faculty Member Since: 2010
Primary Department: Music Business
Formal Education: Master of Law, Southwestern University School of Law; JD, Marquette University; BA University of Minnesota

Professional Experience: Aaron C. Young is a 1997 graduate of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities with a Bachelors of Arts in History, a 2001 Juris Doctor graduate of Marquette University Law School, and a 2003 Master of Laws graduate of Southwestern Law School, specializing in Entertainment & Media Law.

While attending law school, Mr. Young was a member of the Marquette Sports Law Review. Mr. Young is also the first Attorney to hold both a Certificate of Sports Law from the National Sports Law Institute and a Master of Laws in Entertainment & Media Law.

Since graduating from law school, Mr. Young has practiced almost exclusively in the fields of Advertising Law, Business Law, Computer Law, Entertainment Law, Intellectual Property Law, Media Law and Sports Law. He has counseled, represented, and/or negotiated, on the behalf of clients, with companies such as Activision, Converse, Steve & Barry’s, Finish Line, Zazzle.com, ROSFORTH Productions, Danish Broadcast Corporation, Sub-Pop Records, New Folk Records, Grateful Dead Enterprises, Wireless Ronin Technologies and many others.

As an Entertainment Attorney, Mr. Young’s clients include Professional Athletes, Independent Film Makers, Authors, Graffiti Artists, Recording Artists, Producers, and Musicians. Mr. Young is also an Adjunct Professor of Law at William Mitchell College of Law, teaching Client Representation.

Mr. Young is a member of the State Bar of Minnesota and the State Bar of Wisconsin, a member of American Bar Association’s Entertainment & Sports Law Section, a member of the Sports Law Alumni Association of the National Sports Law Institute at Marquette University Law School, and a former Pro Bono Mediator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.