Variety has named David Rezak, director of the Bandier Program, its 2015 Media Mentor of the Year.
The article credits Rezak’s exceptional professional expertise and strong desire to help his students thrive in the music industry. His establishment of the Soyars Leadership Lecture Series, which puts top-level music executives in direct contact with students on a weekly basis, is also cited, along with the Bandier Program’s focus on experience learning.
David Rezak
Recognized and respected throughout the world of show business, Variety is the premier source of entertainment news.
Rezak began managing musical groups in 1969 and in 1973 founded DMR Booking Agency, a respected regional talent agency and events production firm. In 1979, he became an advisor to and guest lecturer for the nascent music industry program at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). He joined the music industry faculty in 1995 and with his students founded the Syracuse University Recordings and Marshall Street Records labels.
In 2003, Rezak sold DMR and joined VPA full time to design a new music and entertainment industries curriculum. Launched in 2007 with a generous gift from SU Trustee and Sony/ATV Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier ’62, the multidisciplinary Bandier Program includes an understanding of the business of music, media, marketing and entrepreneurship. The program includes course work in VPA, the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, the Martin J. Whitman School of Management and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Rezak also helped establish SU’s LA Semester, which launched in 2009 with the participation of Bandier Program students. He is also co-chair of the audio arts graduate program in VPA and the Newhouse School, faculty advisor to WERW radio and mentor to University Union’s Concert Board.
Rezak was named the 2015 Music Educator of the Year by the Syracuse Area Music Awards (SAMMYs). He was inducted into the SAMMYs Hall of Fame in 1999.
