about our experts

Unmatched expertise in music education

Steve Lipman (Founder and CEO)

Head of admissions and faculty member at Berklee College of Music for 40 years, Steve Lipman and our team at Inside Music Schools speak music as their primary language. We approach each client contact with open eyes, ears, and minds. We apply our experience and expertise as professional music educators and veteran consultants to the specific goals, skills, and concerns of each student and their families. Our clients are now launching careers from Juilliard, Berklee, USC, New England Conservatory, Jacobs School of Music, Manhattan School of Music, NYU, Cleveland Institute of Music, Oberlin Conservatory, and nearly every other major music program in the country.

Image

KAREN KERR (MANAGING DIRECTOR/SENIOR CONSULTANT)

An accomplished professional with over 28 years of experience in higher education, admissions, and recruitment, Karen has always made her goal finding the best-fit school for student musicians.

Most recently, she served as the Director of Admission and Recruitment at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where she was responsible for recruitment, auditions/interviews, and admissions of all undergraduate and graduate applicants. During her 17 years at Frost, she was instrumental in the significant increase of the academic profile for admitted undergraduate students and the over 100% increase in graduate program applications.

Photo of Karen Kerr

Bob Mulvey (special advisor)

Bob Mulvey serves as a special advisor for Inside Music Schools in the areas of learning and organizational skills. Bob has many years of experience as an educator, college administrator, and clinician. He taught in secondary settings, including public, vocational, and alternative schools. 

Bob held the position of Instructor in the Graduate School of Lesley College and the English Department at Bunker Hill Community College. Over 32 years at Berklee College of Music, Bob was Associate Director of the Counseling and Academic Advising Center, Director of Disability and Accommodation Services, and an Associate Professor. Bob holds a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature and a Master’s in Education from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst.

Image
IMS is a member of the following professional organizations:
ImageImageImageImageImage

HISTORY OF SUCCESS

As Berklee's head of Admissions, Steve Lipman enrolled such Grammy winners & nominees as:

  • WILL CALHOUN
    Drummer • Living Color
  • TERRI LYNE CARRINGTON
    Jazz & Studio Drummer
  • VINNIE COLAIUTA
    Studio Drummer
  • AL DIMEOLA
    Jazz Guitarist
  • MELISSA ETHERIDGE
    Pop Vocalist
  • BILL FRISELL
    Jazz Guitarist
  • JAN HAMMER
    Film Composer
  • DONALD HARRISON, JR.
    Saxophonist • Actor “Treme”
  • LALAH HATHAWAY
    R&B Vocalist
  • NEIL JACOBSON
    President • Geffen Records; Interscope
  • DIANA KRALL
    Jazz Vocalist
  • JOEY KRAMER
    Drummer • Aerosmith
  • ABRAHAM LABORIEL, JR
    Rock drummer • Paul McCartney
  • ALEX LACAMOIRE
    Orchestra Arranger • Hamilton, In the Heights
  • DONNY MCCASLIN
    Jazz Saxophonist • David Bowie
  • NATALIE MAINES
    Vocalist • The Dixie Chicks
  • BRANFORD MARSALIS
    Jazz Saxophonist
  • JOHN MAYER
    Pop Guitarist/Songwriter/Vocalist
  • BEN MCKEE
    Bass • Imagine Dragons
  • CHARLIE PUTH
    Singer/Songwriter/Producer
  • KURT ROSENWINKEL
    Jazz Guitarist
  • JOE SATRIANI
    Rock Guitarist
  • JOHN SCOFIELD
    Jazz/Prog Guitarist
  • HOWARD SHORE
    Film Composer
  • DEREK SIVERS
    Entrepreneur • CD Baby
  • STEVE SMITH
    Studio Drummer • Journey
  • ESPERANZA SPALDING
    Bassist/Vocalist/Composer
  • SUSAN TEDESCHI
    Rock/Country/Blues vocalist

IMS can help you too