Shirley A. Washington is Assistant Director of the Music Business Program at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. She administers the Music Business Internship Program, advises both undergraduate and graduate students as well as teaches a graduate level course in Promotion and Publicity in the Recording Industry. She is also an adjunct professor at Ramapo College in Mahwah, N.J. where she teaches The Business of Music and Advanced Business of Music. Shirley received her B.A. from Fordham University, J. D. degree from Howard University Law School and an M.B.A. from New York University’s Stern Business School. She began her professional career working in the tax departments of major accounting firms such as Ernst and Young and Laventhol and Horwath. She also has worked on both the creative side as well as the business side of the recording industry. Her first position in the industry was as a tax accountant/attorney with the business management firm of New York Entertainment and Sports Advisors. She then honed her skills on the creative side of the industry working in a variety of positions for Apollo Theatre Records (a former subsidiary of the world famous Apollo Theatre in Harlem, NY) and Inner City Artist Management. Shirley has written extensively on topics in the recording industry first as a contributing writer to the Black Entertainment and Sports Advisors (BESLA) newsletter. She was former editor-in-chief of both In Sync, the newsletter published by Women In Music, Inc. and Just About Music (formerly AARA magazine) a newsletter that catered to the new artist and recording industry professional. Her hobbies include tennis, golf, skiing, reading, listening to music and photography.

Why I Decided to Work in the Music Industry:
My best buddy will probably tell you I have been reading Billboard Magazine since I was born. But, probably my real interest in the music industry goes back to Law School when I took "Entertainment Law". When I found out I could combine music and my business degree, I was hooked. My Entertainment Law Professor Spencer Boyer made the class so interesting and relevant I knew that I wanted to be involved in the music industry. I also played clarinet in the concert band when I was in Junior High, graduated to the Bass Clarinet in high school, and also took piano lessons as a child, so music was always a part of my life.

What I Like Most About Teaching:
Spreadin' the knowledge mostly!! Meeting new students each semester that bring their own unique challenges and aspirations. Also, seeing former students a few years later who have successfully started their own businesses or who are involved in the recording industry and hear them say to me "Professor Washington, your class and your advice really made a difference."

I also like the fact that the Music Business is always changing so you never get bored with the material you are teaching. Adapting your material to these changes is always a challenge.

Class Tips for Students:
Read your assignments and come prepared to learn and contribute in class.

Career Tips for Students:
Read all you can about the business. Not just Billboard, but business magazines like BusinessWeek, Fortune and Forbes. Everyone covers the entertainment industry. You never know who you will meet and it is always impressive if you can say to them "Oh, I read this article about your company in Businessweek." Network, of course. Take advantage of your internship opportunities. Speak with anyone in the company who will give you the time of day and choose a variety of internships so you get real world experience. If you can, try to Study Abroad. A global music market exists and oftentimes your type of music is appreciated outside the US before it is accepted here. You should know how to promote and market all music abroad. And travel abroad when you are young and carefree. It's great and you get to meet so many interesting people.

Outside Interests:
Although I don't get to do them as much as I would like skiing, playing golf, tennis, reading, writing.

Favorite Music:
Undoubtedly R&B- Motown, Solar Records, the great 80's producers like Jam and Lewis, La Reid and Babyface, Prince, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones, to name a few. Pop music from the soulful white boys and groups like Hall and Oates, Michael McDonald, Journey and Steve Perry, Kenny Loggins-he is so fine!!! And gospel music, always.