David Kusek

David Kusek, known professionally as Dave Kusek, is a prominent figure in the music industry. He is the founder and former CEO of New Artist Model, an online music business school designed to help musicians, songwriters, producers, and managers build sustainable careers in music.123 Kusek has a rich background in music technology and education:

• Early Career: Kusek began his career as the chief engineer at Star Instruments in the 1970s, where he contributed to the development of electronic drums like the Synare.13 In 1980, he founded Passport Designs, a company that developed music software and hardware, including early MIDI interfaces.1

• Berklee College of Music: From 1997 to 2012, Kusek taught music business at Berklee College of Music and founded its online music school, Berkleemusic.com (now Berklee Online).13 During his tenure, he became a vice president and helped create numerous online courses.

• Author and Consultant: Kusek co-authored The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution with Gerd Leonhard in 2005.13 He also wrote Hack the Music Business in 2015.1 As a senior partner at Digital Cowboys, a digital media consultancy, he has worked with major companies like AOL, IBM, and Nokia.3

• New Artist Model: Launched in 2014, New Artist Model offers courses on music licensing, publishing, e-commerce, and more, aiming to empower independent artists to manage their careers effectively.124

Kusek's LinkedIn profile highlights his extensive experience in music education and business, with a focus on empowering independent musicians.3