Ryan Leslie Named First Ever Artist in Residence At Clive Davis Music School

Producer/songwriter Ryan Leslie has been named the first ever Artist in Residence at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.

Ryan Leslie will interact with students for the 2011–12 academic year.

He will give group lectures, critique songs and mentor students as part of the school's experiential education mandate.

Ryan Leslie began his career in music as a teenager, when he taught himself to play the piano when he was still a teenager.

When he was 14, he scored a perfect 1600 on his SAT's and eventually graduated from Harvard with a degree in Government, at the age of 19.

He decided to take a career turn and by 2003, Ryan Leslie had recorded his unreleased first album titled Just Right.

Since then, Ryan Leslie has produced tracks for artists like Beyoncé, Britney Spears, Cassie, Jim Jones, Kanye West, Fabolous, Game, Lloyd Banks, LL Cool J, and numerous others.

“Ryan Leslie is the epitome of the creative entrepreneur and the holistic attitude we believe so firmly in at the Clive Davis Institute,” said Jeffrey Rabhan, chair of The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. “His entire professional career has been a perfect balance between artistry and business acumen. We think someone of Ryan Leslie’s intelligence, talent, and entrepreneurial savvy will add a dynamic new dimension to the Institute and we’re excited to have him join the program.”

The Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts is the first school of its kind that offers professional business and artistic training, towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree for the music business.

Courses offered by the School include “The History of Def Jam,” “Branding,” and “Emerging Music Trends.”