Beyond Dreams

What is Beyond Dreams?

Beyond Dreams is a transformative arts empowerment initiative that cultivates business acumen, develops competency within the music industry, and advances artistry. Our goal is to identify aspiring creatives who are passionate about music and leverage their interest to develop business acumen, provide foundational music production experience and expand their opportunities within the music industry.

“I truly will never forget this. I learned more than I would at an actual music school.”

Siphesihle (September) Khumalo

Beyond Dreams student in a hands-on music production session

How It Works

Nurturing the creatives of the future

We focus on aspiring producers and artists who demonstrate strong character and committed interest in growing their music career. Harnessing their interests, we work with music industry professionals to educate them on the fundamentals of the music business, expose them to hands-on music production experience, and provide them with the resources needed to develop and monetize their skills.

By doing so, students improve their business acumen while also expressing their creativity — expanding their economic opportunities and molding the leaders of tomorrow's world.

Industry Expertise

Key contributors to the 2025 program

Lashell Lane

Music Executive, Publisher & Rights Advocate

Lashell Lane is a music executive and publisher who empowers independent talent through LRL Pinnacle Music Group and LRL PMG Publishing. She has guided award-winning songwriters, producers and artists behind platinum-certified hits including Vedo's "You Got It" and Fireboy DML & Ed Sheeran's "Peru," with a focus on publishing rights, royalty collection and long-term catalog value.

Courses Taught

How to Market Yourself as a Producer
Financial Management
How to Get Paid as a Producer
Streaming & Distribution

Mr Hanky

Hitmaking Producer & Musical Innovator

Corey Dennard, known as Mr. Hanky, is a genre-blending producer behind major records for Usher, City Girls, Young Dolph and Snoop Dogg. His catalog includes the RIAA Gold-certified "On the Way," "Living My Best Life" and "Twerkulator." His legacy began at Atlanta's Collipark Music and continues through Cultural Resources LLC.

Courses Taught

Intro to Music Theory
In-person Music Production

Luke Crowder

Grammy Winning Music Producer

Luke Crowder is a Grammy Award-winning, platinum-selling and Billboard-charting producer from Birmingham, Alabama. His genre-defying work spans collaborations with Drake, Lil Wayne, Anderson .Paak, Childish Gambino, 2 Chainz, 21 Savage and more across hip-hop and R&B.

Courses Taught

In-person Music Production

Samarra "Stereo" Torrence

Audio Engineer

Samarra "Stereo" Torrence is an audio engineer who leads students through the technical craft of recording — session setup, tracking, editing and mixing — so their ideas translate into finished, release-ready records.

Courses Taught

Audio Engineering

Ricki Rich

Song Writer

Ricki is an Atlanta-based songwriter making waves in the music industry with her distinct pen and creative vision. She has collaborated with artists including Finesse2Tymes, Kash Doll, Shenseea and DDG, co-writing on the Grammy-nominated album "Alpha" by Shenseea (standout track "Nana") and "Large Amounts," the gold-certified single from Gucci Mane's 1017 label. Beyond songwriting, she lends her expertise to track selection and executive production.

Courses Taught

Intro to Song Writing

Elijah Adefope

Technology, Media & Marketing Counsel

Elijah Adefope is a business and legal affairs attorney working at the intersection of media, technology and the creator economy. As former Lead Counsel at Substack, he led commercial, product and privacy initiatives. His background spans work with artists, managers, producers and songwriters, along with creator and influencer agreements, marketing technology and intellectual property licensing. Today he counsels private equity and venture-backed media, marketing and technology companies, as well as artists and entrepreneurs.

Courses Taught

Intro to Entertainment Law

Kailen Tharpe

Music Management, A&R & Project Management — Former Assoc. Director, A&R at Epic Records

Kailen Tharpe is a creative connector in today's music industry. As President of Mogul Mentality she manages artists, oversees creative projects and helps talent find their voice and their audience, after key A&R roles at Atlantic Records and Epic Records. Whether leading studio sessions, connecting artists with the right collaborators or building long-term growth plans, her approach centers on authentic, sustainable careers across both the creative and business sides of music.

Courses Taught

A&R Best Practices

Curriculum

TOPICS

Music Production
Music Streaming & Distribution
Music Publishing
ENTERTAINMENT LAW
Song Writing
AUDIO ENGINEERING