CAMPUS DIRECTORY

Dr. Paul Young leads the music industry program and low brass trombone performance studio at California State University, Chico. Prior to this, Young was a transformative force at USC where he revamped both the Major and Minors programs, served as Chair and is founder of their Master of Science degree in Music Industry. Recognizing this, the CSU Chico Music, Theater and Dance department tapped Young in 2019 to bring his expertise to Northern California for a new Bachelor of Arts in Music: Music Industry and Technology, which launched in 2024.

Young became an extraordinarily successful veteran of the record industry. Thereafter, he proved his ability to add value and grow revenue for Universal Music Group, the largest major record label in the world. Highlights in the record industry include sample recording licensing for artists such as Kanye West, JayZ, 50 Cent, Eminem, Madonna, Mary J Blige, Sublime, among many thousands of other hit records.

Young’s value to the Chico community stands upon years of effort and excellence. After earning his Bachelor of Music degree from University of the Pacific in 1993, Young moved to Los Angeles to begin his life as a music professional. He initially performed at night while working by day at Lee Solters Public Relations as a junior publicist for clients such as Michael Jackson’s record label and the actors from the TV show Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

From 2004-2009, Young attended the USC Thornton School of Music to earn his Master of Music and Doctor of Music Arts degrees. As a graduate student, he concentrated on specializations in Music Performance, Education, History, Industry and Technology. While serving as the lead trombonist in the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra and as a teaching/lecture assistant for the music industry department, USC’s Music program recognized Young. His industry experience and talents as a lecturer beyond his studies in these areas which resulted in quickly becoming a full-time instructor for their Music Industry Program, all well before earning his doctorate. He was awarded Department chair thereafter, overseeing 425 professional music Master’s Degree students and performing musicians.

Young was recipient of USC’s Steven B. Sample Teaching & Mentoring Award in 2015 and the 2016 Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. Outside of USC, Young remains a professional musician with an impressive resume of film, television and recording industry credits. Young is a member of the Grammy-Award winning John Daversa Big Band, a published music rights advocate, and was previously Director of Licensing and Contract Administration for major label, Universal Music Group.

Young taught computer music notation classes, given guest lectures at colleges and trade shows, and serves as an expert consultant for national media releases. Because he equally serves all communities with heart, he sat on the board of the Rising Star Music Fund charity program run by former music industry professionals to benefit under-funded music education programs.

Additionally, Young has performed live with many artists, including Diana Krall, Arturo Sandoval, Bobby McFerrin, Wynton Marsalis, Dave Brubeck, Terry Gibbs, Gerald Wilson, Les Brown, Bill Holman, Bill Watrous, Med Flory, Steve Miller, Michael Bolton, Stevie Wonder, Take 6, Patti Austin, Wynonna Judd, Natalie Cole, Jason Mraz, Bebe Winans, Ledisi, Monica Mancini, Seth McFarlane, John Daversa and more. He played for Hollywood TV shows, including Family Guy, American Dad, The Cleveland Show, Mad Men, Vegas, CSI, The Last Tycoon, among others. You can hear him on all streaming platforms (and see him on YouTube) as an industry professional and soloist with the John Daversa Progressive Big Band, Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra, and various TV shows.

Dr. Young brings his passion for teaching and growing talent to a safe, accessible yet professionally rigorous curriculum. Young teaches about the value of copyright, artist management and events, including as head of Chico State SOTA productions course. It is a student-run class where students gain practical experience in all these areas. He offers links below to many on air interviews as a music industry specialist, both from his USC days and his current podcast Music Talk from the North State. This podcast is on all streaming sites including Apple Music, Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube. Young invests in his students as he does in himself, helping them to recognize their strengths and develop confidence to take the next step.

Off campus, Young is an in-demand, well-known live performer, freelance musician and booking manager for countless live bands and ensembles. Groups involving Young’s musical and industry relationships have been showcased at every known venue in the region, as he continues to perform and book for The Chico Latin Orchestra, Chico Creole Crawfish, Chico’s Dad and Daughter Duo (with his sensational daughter/vocalist, Adria Young), Paul Young Jazz Quintet, and the Paradise Symphony Orchestra.

Honors/Awards:

Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, University of Southern California (2016)

Steven B. Sample Teaching & Mentoring Award, University of Southern California (2015)
Steven B. Sample Teaching & Mentoring Award Nomination, University of Southern California (2014)

Publication Highlights: