Drew X Coles

Dr. Drew X Coles is an accomplished producer, serial entrepreneur, educator, and scholar, whose work spans across multiple facets of the music industry and higher education. As a faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University, he leads a cutting-edge hybrid graduate degree program in Music and Music Education. In this role, he not only imparts knowledge through pedagogy, entrepreneurship, and production courses but also shapes the future of music education through his leadership and innovative curriculum development.

Drew’s scholarly endeavors are as diverse as his professional roles, focusing on critical aspects of music education and the broader cultural context within which it operates. His research on the construct of success for post-secondary students offers insightful perspectives into educational outcomes and student development. Similarly, his work on culturally responsive pedagogy in the music classroom addresses essential themes of diversity and inclusion, providing valuable frameworks for educators to engage with students from various backgrounds effectively. Moreover, Drew’s exploration of technology in the applied studio, mentorship in music higher education, Jazz pedagogy, comprehensive musicianship coursework and curricula, artistic entrepreneurship, and quantitative research methods in music education are testament to his comprehensive understanding of the field. These scholarly interests not only highlight his academic prowess but also his commitment to advancing music education through research and practical application.

Drew holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam, a Masters in Jazz Performance from Queens College, and an M.B.A. from the Metropolitan College of New York. His Doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University, which focused on the perceptions among musicians on the construct of career success, further underscores his deep engagement with the music industry’s intricacies as well as the lived experiences of those in it. Further, Drew’s commitment to continuous learning and development is evident in his acquisition of certificates in Strategic Management from the International Business Management Institute, Financial Markets from Yale University, Leading for equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education from the University of Michigan, and Disruptive Strategy from Harvard Business School.

Beyond academia, Drew has made significant contributions to the music industry through leadership roles in various organizations. His tenure as the Executive Director of the Crane Institute for Music Business and the International Chamber Orchestra of America demonstrate his ability to lead and innovate within the music business sector. As a co-founder of Pro Arts Management and Consulting LLC and the Musical Director to the Metropolitan Players, he has shown a keen ability to blend artistic vision with entrepreneurial initiative.

Drew serves on the boards of the College Music Society Fund, the Society for Arts Entrepreneurship Education, the Network of Music Career Development Officers, and serves the Northeast Regional Board for the College Music Society as the board member for Music Education.