about our experts
Unmatched expertise in music education
Steve Lipman (Founder and CEO/President)
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.
David Lee Fish (senior consultant & COO)
Dr. David Lee Fish, Ph.D., is senior associate with Inside Music Schools and works with all the families and students we serve. He brings to his role a long, successful career in both music and higher education. David founded and continues to direct the degree concentration in popular music as a tenured professor at Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina. In that role, he has gained expertise in a range of subjects, including music business, technology, and theory. He also co-founded and is a past president of the Association for Popular Music Education, the leading professional organization for educators in that field. His participation has helped him forge relationships with fellow faculty of popular music across the country and intimate knowledge of their programs.
Cait Martin (Administrative Associate)
As the Administrative Associate for Inside Music Schools, Cait works closely with Steve and David on day-to-day IMS operations and as the point of contact for students. A lifelong music lover with a background in musical theatre, Cait is passionate about helping keep students on track in the search for the music programs that fit them best.
Cait is excited to bring her entrepreneurial experience and customer service expertise from a range of industries to IMS. After spending the early years of her career in restaurant and warehouse management positions, she transitioned into online retail as the sole proprietor of Mama Moon Vintage & Thrift. Her experience leaves her well-qualified to provide exceptional customer service, and she looks forward to working closely with each new IMS family.
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.
Jake Martin (musical support & tutoring)
Jake serves as an associate with Inside Music Schools for students with a range of tutoring needs. He is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and educator with teaching experience ranging from elementary classrooms to university auditoriums. He has two decades of performance experience and has appeared on national stages.
Jake specializes in helping young musicians develop an academic, theory-based foundation for their natural, intuitive musicality. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Popular Music/Music Business from Catawba College, where he later returned to teach. In addition, he earned a Master’s in Music Education from Boston Conservatory at Berklee College of Music. Jake is also a staff member and regular author for In Tune Monthly, a leading music education magazine.
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