Month: March 2020
2020 President’s Award Music Business Scholarship at Musicians Institute Winner: Devin Birden
The 2020 President’s Award Music Business Scholarship at Musicians Institute has been awarded to newly enrolling Associate of Science in Music Business Program student: Devin Birden. He comes to MI by way of Lancaster and Long Beach CA, earning the prestigious scholarship award after clearly articulating his vision and career goals within the music industry.
Describing his reasons for coming to MI, Devin states, “a friend of mine attends MI currently and is in the music production program. He has had nothing but positive reports about his experience. Also, the information I received at the MI Open House, and my frequent dialogue with my Admissions counselor have all been determining factors that lead me to wanting to enroll at MI.”
In giving a bit more background about his motivations to enroll at MI and to excel in the music industry, Devin stated: “in addition to being an independent Hip Hop artist and songwriter, I am a business owner myself. I run a full spectrum entertainment studio where we offer recording and production services, in addition to graphic design, photography and videography. I hope to be able to learn all the current business practices in the music industry while also learning how to navigate more efficiently all the pitfalls and road blocks that I have had to traverse throughout my career. In addition, I am interested in music supervision for film & tv, as I have landed a couple big placements in the past, I want to continue to pursue my career in that arena as well.”
Devin sees his education as an important pathway to achieving his career goals as an artist, multi-genre songwriter and multi-dimensional music industry executive: “I want to remain independent and achieve global success doing so. The more I know how to do myself the less I have to depend on anyone else’s expertise. As an executive, I’d like to operate my own entertainment company, develop artists underneath my imprint and put them in position to do great things in music as well. I also feel I have a future in music supervision in film & tv, so I want to land more placements both nationally and internationally. One of my current specific short term goals is to be a part of Disney’s The Proud Family reboot, as it is of one of my favorite childhood shows.”
He shared his feelings about winning the scholarship as follows: “this scholarship means everything to me. At this juncture in my life I am choosing to make a major change and sacrifice in order to attend MI. This scholarship will be a tremendous help to me in pursuing my career goals in a myriad of ways and I am thankful you all saw something in me that proved deserving of it.“
Everyone at MI would like to congratulate Devin on winning this prestigious award.
Special thanks to MI’s longtime owner Histake Shibuya for generously sponsoring this scholarship, which helps to provide talented students like Devin with the support, tools and recognition they need to launch successful and creative careers in the music industry.
Congratulations to our slate of Board of Directors 2020-2022!
Congratulations to our Board of Directors 2020-2022!
BOARD CHAIR 2019-2021 Hunter Scott Head of Marketing & Publicity @TREND. Established LaFamos- a full-service PR firm in 2008. Head of Brand Development for High Q Digital, Public speaker, panelist.
Andrea Bari, JD Expert adviser in intellectual property rights, music publishing contracts, business law. Researcher for the UN Special Rapporteur in Cultural Rights. Law and Business professor at Musicians Institute. *NEW*
Andy French SVP sales and marketing for DMI Music, and has previously held positions with the GRAMMY Foundation and A&M Records *NEW*
Anika Paris CEO Alaya Productions; WB Composer, Songwriter, Author, Educator in Artist Development *NEW*
Steve Sherr Independent music executive. Former music marketing executive at Disney Music, Universal Music Group, Interscope Records, MCA Records, Hollywood Records, Former Artist Management at The Artists Organization. *NEW*
Ellen Truley Music Business Brand Strategist I Corporate Marketing I Partnership Integration I Digital Marketer I Entertainment Relations
Officers
Beth Marlis (Foundation Executive Director), Vice President at Musicians Institute, musician, educator, author, Chair Emeritus of Hollywood Chamber of Commerce
Kathleen Clark (Foundation Secretary), Professional Photographer. Former Director and Partner in SPOT Photo Works, and Clark | Oshin Gallery LA. Longtime Photo Director of Los Angeles Magazine and LA Weekly
Kyle Denne, (Foundation Treasurer), Accounting Manager at Musicians Institute