Steven Tepper, associate director of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy at Vanderbilt, has been chosen to facilitate Leadership Music’s annual program. Leadership Music is the nation’s premier education, networking and leadership program designed for established leaders in the music industry.
Tepper, a member of the Leadership Music Class of 2012, assumes the role held in years past by Vanderbilt law professor James Blumstein, former Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy Director Bill Ivey and producer Garth Fundis. Attorney Chip Petree and artist manager John Ingrassia served as co-chairs for the Class of 2012 and facilitated the program days.
Debbie Linn, executive director of Leadership Music, said that a successful facilitator must possess a keen knowledge of the music industry coupled with practical experience, some history and knowledge of future trends, and the ability to stay current on industry issues.
“Each program day is focused on one segment of the music industry, so the facilitator must point out issues to watch for, observe, raise questions and note the dynamics at play as the day progresses,” Linn said. “Then at the end of the 11-hour day, for the one-hour caucus, attempt to provide an open, off-the-record forum for the class to speak freely and to contribute observations or ask questions.
“Leadership Music is defined by the program, and the facilitator is vital to its success. Steven Tepper is uniquely qualified to step into this role, and we feel incredibly fortunate to have him on board,” she said.
Prior to joining Vanderbilt’s Curb Center, Tepper held a similar position at Princeton University’s Center for Arts and Cultural Policy Studies. A sociology professor at Vanderbilt, he focuses on creativity in education and work and conflict over art and culture.
Tepper is the author of Not Here, Not Now, Not That! Protest over Art and Culture in America and co-editor and contributing author of Engaging Art: The Next Great Transformation of America’s Cultural Life. He is a leading writer and speaker on U.S. cultural policy, and his work has fostered national discussions around topics of cultural engagement, everyday creativity and the transformative possibilities of a 21st-century creative campus. Tepper holds degrees from UNC-Chapel Hill, Harvard’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and Princeton University.
“The music industry is not just about figuring out the best way to sell widgets,” Tepper said. “Everyone involved in the industry cares deeply about the songwriter, the music, the artists and the audience.
“I am thrilled by the opportunity to help busy leaders take the time to reflect on big issues that go beyond the day-to-day bottom line and think about the health of the whole system,” he said.
Contact: Judi Turner, (615) 770-7090
lm@leadershipmusic.org