# Dave Kusek

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Businessperson

Dave Kusek Born Southington, CT Alma mater University of Connecticut Occupations Business executive, entrepreneur, music educator, author, software developer, online music business courses Years active 1975-present Organization New Artist Model Known for Founding Passport Designs, MIDI software development, founding Berkleemusic.com Website NewArtistModel.com

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

From 1997 to 2012 he taught music business at [Berklee College of Music](/source/Berklee_College_of_Music),[1][3] becoming a vice president[4][1] and founding its online music school [Berkleemusic.com](/source/Berklee_College_of_Music#Berklee_Online).[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](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=New_Artist_Model&action=edit&redlink=1), an online music business school,[6] which has been featured in publications such as *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*,[2] *[CMJ](/source/CMJ)*,[6] and the *[Boston Globe](/source/Boston_Globe)*.[1] In 2026, Kusek received a [Lifetime Achievement Award](https://midi.org/david-kusek-passport-designs-and-the-dawn-of-computer-music-creation) from the [MIDI Association](https://MIDI.org) for his work in computer-based music creation.

## 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](/source/Computer_science) at the [University of Connecticut](/source/University_of_Connecticut).[3]

## Business career

### Star Instruments and Passport Designs (1970s-95s)

Main article: [Passport Designs](/source/Passport_Designs)

From 1975 until 1979 Kusek worked as chief engineer at Star Instruments, which made electronic drums such as the [Synare](/source/Synare).[3] He became the founding CEO of [Passport Designs](/source/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](/source/Master_Tracks), [Encore](/source/Encore_notation_program), MusicTime, [Alchemy](/source/Alchemy) and the Soundchaser.[3] While with Passport, he co-developed software and hardware interfaces using new the then new [Music Instrument Digital Interface](/source/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](https://digitalcowboys.com), a digital media consultancy. Clients over time included companies such as [AOL](/source/AOL), [IBM](/source/IBM), [Nokia](/source/Nokia), [A&M Records](/source/A%26M_Records), [BMG](/source/Bertelsmann_Music_Group), [Polygram](/source/Polygram), [Nettwerk](/source/Nettwerk), [Roland](/source/Roland_Corporation), [Yamaha](/source/Yamaha_Corporation), [Boston Acoustics](/source/Boston_Acoustics), [Liquid Audio](/source/Liquid_Audio), [Kaman Music](/source/Kaman_Music) and [Berklee College of Music](/source/Berklee_College_of_Music).[3]

### Berklee Online (1997-12)

Kusek started teaching music business at [Berklee College of Music](/source/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](/source/Berklee_College_of_Music#Berklee_Online), 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](/source/Gerd_Leonhard_(author)).[5] Kusek left Berklee in 2012[3][4]

### New Artist Model (2014-present)

Kusek is the founder and CEO of New Artist Model, an online music business school for musicians,[2] songwriters, producers, and managers.[2] According to *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*, 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](/source/Music_X-Ray), [Bandzoogle](/source/Bandzoogle) and [CDBaby](/source/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](/source/KUBT)* award in Hawaii in 2015.[11] By 2018, enrollment in the school reached 3,700 members from 60 countries.[1]

In 2026, Kusek received a [Lifetime Achievement Award](https://midi.org/david-kusek-passport-designs-and-the-dawn-of-computer-music-creation) from the [MIDI Association](https://midi.org/) for his work in computer-based music creation.

## Publishing history

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

## See also

- [2000s in the music industry](/source/2000s_in_the_music_industry)

## Further reading

- ["Berklee College Of Music Launches "Berklee Shares" – A Ground-breaking"](https://creativecommons.org/2003/11/12/berkleecollegeofmusiclaunchesberkleesharesagroundbreaking/). *[Creative Commons](/source/Creative_Commons)*. November 12, 2003.

- ["Music Like Water"](https://web.archive.org/web/20050204010717/http://www.forbes.com/columnists/free_forbes/2005/0131/042.html). *[Forbes](/source/Forbes_(magazine))*. January 31, 2005. Archived from [the original](https://www.forbes.com/columnists/free_forbes/2005/0131/042.html) on February 4, 2005.

- ["Musicians May Be Owed Billions in Unpaid Digital Music Royalties"](https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/musicians-may-collect-bil_b_846368). *[Huffington Post](/source/Huffington_Post)*. April 8, 2011.

- ["Dave Kusek Leaves Berklee College of Music to Focus on Digital Startups"](http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1097739/dave-kusek-leaves-berklee-college-of-music-to-focus-on-digital-startups). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. April 20, 2012.

- ["Dave Kusek On Exiting Berklee, Digital Cowboys & What's Next \[Interview\]"](https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2012/04/dave-kusek-on-exiting-berklee-digital-cowboys-whats-next-interview.html). *[Hypebot](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Hypebot&action=edit&redlink=1)*. April 23, 2012.

- ["With New Online Education Platform, Dave Kusek Wants to Build Music's Middle Class"](http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5893875/with-new-online-education-platform-dave-kusek-wants-to-build-musics-middle). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. February 3, 2014.

- ["Dave Kusek Launches 'New Artist Model,' An Online Course For Musicians"](https://www.cmj.com/new-artist-model/). *[CMJ](/source/CMJ)*. January 16, 2014.

- ["Berklee online school creator now steers his own from Cohasset home"](https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2016/03/04/berklee-online-school-creator-now-steers-his-own-from-cohasset-home/hosQu8VRw9Wl8PQpMenQJP/story.html). *[Boston Globe](/source/Boston_Globe)*. March 4, 2016.

## References

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bbglobe_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bbglobe_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bbglobe_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-bbglobe_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-bbglobe_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-bbglobe_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-bbglobe_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-bbglobe_1-7) Conti, Kathleen (March 4, 2016). ["Berklee online school creator now steers his own from home"](https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2016/03/04/berklee-online-school-creator-now-steers-his-own-from-cohasset-home/hosQu8VRw9Wl8PQpMenQJP/story.html). *[Boston Globe](/source/Boston_Globe)*. Retrieved 2016-04-22.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-cglennbillboard_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-cglennbillboard_2-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-cglennbillboard_2-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-cglennbillboard_2-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-cglennbillboard_2-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-cglennbillboard_2-5) Peoples, Glenn (February 3, 2014). ["With New Online Education Platform, Dave Kusek Wants to Build Music's Middle Class"](http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/5893875/with-new-online-education-platform-dave-kusek-wants-to-build-musics-middle). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2016-04-22.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-10) [***l***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-11) [***m***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-12) [***n***](#cite_ref-bkerleemusic_3-13) ["David Kusek"](http://network.www.berkleemusic.com/profile/2876). Berkleemusic.com. Retrieved 5 October 2014.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-fkusekleaves_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-fkusekleaves_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-fkusekleaves_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-fkusekleaves_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-fkusekleaves_4-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-fkusekleaves_4-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-fkusekleaves_4-6) Peoples, Glenn (April 20, 2012). ["Dave Kusek Leaves Berklee College of Music to Focus on Digital Startups"](http://www.billboard.com/biz/articles/news/1097739/dave-kusek-leaves-berklee-college-of-music-to-focus-on-digital-startups). *[Billboard](/source/Billboard_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2016-04-22.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-futuremanifesto_5-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-futuremanifesto_5-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-futuremanifesto_5-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-futuremanifesto_5-3) Kusek, David; Leonhard, Gerd (2005). *The Future of Music: Manifesto for the Digital Music Revolution (Berklee Press): David Kusek, Gerd Leonhard: 9780876390597: Amazon.com: Books*. Berklee Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0876390599](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0876390599).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-donlinecourse_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-donlinecourse_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-donlinecourse_6-2) ["Dave Kusek Launches 'New Artist Model,' An Online Course For Musicians"](https://www.cmj.com/new-artist-model/). *[CMJ](/source/CMJ)*. January 16, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-22.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-berscores_7-0)** ["Berklee College scores its online program in music"](https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass-high-tech/2003/04/berklee-college-scores-its-online-program.html). *[Boston Business Journal](/source/Boston_Business_Journal)*. April 28, 2003. Retrieved 2003-04-28.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-bersinging_8-0)** ["Singing Praises"](https://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/mass-high-tech/2007/05/singing-praises-2007-05-28.html). *[Boston Business Journal](/source/Boston_Business_Journal)*. May 24, 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-24.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-kbleeawardsa_9-0)** ["Berkleemusic Awards"](https://web.archive.org/web/20141006185754/http://www.berkleemusic.com/awards/). Berkleemusic.com. Archived from [the original](http://www.berkleemusic.com/awards/) on October 6, 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-hpresskits_10-0)** Till, Jesse (April 29, 2014). ["Music Business School "New Artist Model" gains new partners with Bandzoogle, CMJ, and PressKit"](https://web.archive.org/web/20140724093600/http://www.musicdish.com/mag/?id=13590). Archived from the original on July 24, 2014. Retrieved 2016-04-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-pulsei_11-0)** Smith, Erin (May 20, 2015). ["Heels & Picks: Kai eyes L.A. after Brown Bags win"](http://www.honolulupulse.com/2015/05/heels-picks-eden-kai/). *Honolulu Pulse*. Retrieved 2016-04-25.

## External links

- [NewArtistModel.com](http://newartistmodel.com/future-music-blog/)

- [DigitalCowboys.com](https://digitalcowboys.com/)

- [MIDI.org](https://midi.org/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Dave Kusek](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Kusek) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dave_Kusek?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.