Connecting with and enlightening students through music and corporate ethics

With a vast education background in the fields of History, Economics, Law, Music, and Business, Professor Roy Stein, who teaches in both the School of Business and Leadership and the School of Music at Nazareth College, uses his knowledge to help his students grow professionally as they reflect in their lives and futures. His passion for music and interest in the corporate world, led him to co-found and direct the Music Business degree at Naz. He shared his path through doing what he loves in the present day, including the formation of a band with one of his former students, Ignatius Marino.

Education Journey  

Professor Stein is a first-generation college student. Supported by his parents to do well in high school and college, he double majored in Economics and History at Hobart and William Smith Colleges. While in college, he was also a musician. After graduating, he took a year off to play music. He was accepted into the University at Buffalo School of Law, graduated in 3 years, and passed the bar exams. From there he practiced law and taught part time at Nazareth, and eventually Naz offered him a full-time professorship. He realized he loved the College and truly enjoyed teaching as evidenced by his 38 years working at Naz.

“Music, when I was young, music was like my sport, so I put my energy into playing drums.”

Musical Background and Inspiration

By the time he was 17, Stein was playing out in clubs. In his 20s and 30s, he was involved with some major record labels. He tried balancing life as much as he could and continued playing music while realizing that his primary commitment was to Naz. Some memorable music experiences have been opening up for and playing with well known bands, such as The Pretenders. He also became good friends with Joey Ramone of the Ramones. “It had been a separate journey outside Naz until the Music Business program. Then, these two separate paths combined,” he added. Growing up in the 60s, Stein was inspired by some of the greatest rock and roll bands and drummers of all time: Led Zeppelin and Ginger Baker, to name just two. He continues to study drums with guidance from a world renowned instructor, Dom Famularo, in Long Island. Stein was inspired by him because he was a wonderful teacher. Other musicians from this region have also had a big influence on him, “the most inspiration comes from people in your community that you play with. I got lucky to play with great musicians in the Rochester area, and that’s always inspiring.” His wife, April, whom he has been married to for 25 years, is also a musician.

Co-founding the Music Business Degree at Naz

One legacy Professor Stein will leave with Naz is a part of the Music Business degree program, which he co-founded and directed from 2008 to 2020. “The idea to have a Music Business program came from Dr. Mark Zeigler. He is also a musician with a PhD in Choral Studies,” Stein said. They talked and decided to create a dual program using resources from both departments, the School of Business and Leadership and the School of Music, to offer this degree. After 12 years as the program co-director, Stein thought he had spent enough time in that particular leadership position, and handed it on to another talented musician, Professor Kristen Shiner-McGuire, and entrusted her with its future. “I greatly enjoyed working with the music department, and the music department enjoyed working with the business students. It was, and is, a successful program.”

The creation of the new Sports and Entertainment management program

Professor Stein has recently been involved with creating the College’s new Sports and Entertainment Management program. He will direct this new and exciting program that begins in the fall of 2022.

Courses Taught at Naz

Over the past 38 years at Naz, Stein has taught close to 30 different courses. He originally taught micro- and macro- economics, principles of management, and the legal environment of business. The content of the last one changes focus over time as the culture, the world, and the rise of the internet, as well as the way we communicate, change. Over the past 25 years, Stein has also taught the management ethics course, one of his favorite courses to teach. “It is important to the greater good of our community, but I think it’s a course of real value to the students who take it,” he said. The music business program allowed him to collaborate with colleagues in the music department better, and he was able to teach some courses such as Music/Business 1 and Recording Engineering as a member of that department. Stein stopped practicing law for the most part a few years ago, but he continues to practice some law selectively, and that helps with his teaching in the law field.

Teaching Philosophy

Professor Stein has always been interested in collaborative learning within the classroom. “Primarily my teaching philosophy is that when students walk in, they would’ve done readings and searched on the internet, and to have applied that material to their lives. Exams are rare in the courses I teach, but my students write a lot of papers. In permanent teams, in class, students share what they have written and talk about how it relates to their lives and future.” He sees himself as a facilitator in the class adding his expertise as he deems appropriate. “I never saw myself as a lecturer in the last 30 years of my teaching,” he added.

For Stein, one of the most memorable aspects of being a professor has been discovering how knowledgeable students are, in all facets of life. “What amazes me is the innate ability in students. You develop respect for the incredible knowledge and wisdom students have. As a teacher, I try to provide material and knowledge that will be useful to them in relation to where they are.” He sees this coming in music as creativity or in an ethics course as values and vision of what a good life is.

Ignatius Marino on lead vocals
and Stein on drums

Lips Turn Blue

Stein currently plays in a band with a recent Naz music business graduate. When asked about his experience in collaborating with students in this way, he said, “It’s absolutely joyful to play with younger musicians because there really is no difference. Of course, they bring energy and effusiveness to it. I don’t think they see much of a difference either. It comes back to what I said earlier, of how much knowledge and talent students have.” Professor Stein mentioned that he does not have a favorite instrument. He loves the acoustic guitar and piano; however, he thinks there is something immensely physically enjoyable about playing the drums.

“The passion I have for music really helps me relate to the various athletic and creative passions all students have and perhaps appreciate it more, so I think it helps in a lot of ways in the classroom.”

 

Life Outside the Classroom

One accomplishment that Stein is most proud of is his daughter, Emmarae, who graduated from Naz in 2020 and is currently working in PR at WXXI. He also likes to exercise and walk his dog, Smudgie. Practicing zen meditation has been a part of his life as well.

When asked for a quote that he lives by, Professor Stein shared with SBL a simple expression by the Buddhist scholar, 20th century teacher, Thich Nhat Hahn: “Be glad you don’t have a toothache.” For him, it's a reminder to focus not only on what you have but also on what you do not have. “It’s like counting your blessings”, he added.

Advice to Naz Students

Professor Stein has always liked the expression ‘Seize the day.’ However, in his experience and wisdom, he thinks a more balanced approach to living is ‘Let the day seize you.’ “I think there’s something about letting the day seize you and being openly receptive to that. I’m not sure you can do that if you’re full of self-doubt. Believe in yourself, and let the day seize you.”