Bess Rogers | Assistant Professor, MTSU Department of Recording Industry
Hometown/Current City: New York City/Fairview, TN
Current Job/Title: Assistant Professor – Commercial Songwriting
Conference USA partnered with Middle Tennessee State University’s internationally acclaimed Department of Recording Industry to produce original music for the league’s marketing and promotional campaigns. Led by Assistant Professor Bess Rogers, the collaboration was integrated into her Songwriting for Film & TV class, giving students a unique opportunity to compose songs crafted specifically for CUSA’s brand initiatives.
CUSA x MTSU Song Project Playlist
What inspired you to become a professor?
I started teaching private music lessons as a college student, and since then, teaching has been a constant throughout my career as a full-time touring and recording musician. In 2015, I co-founded Thinking Outside the Blocks, an organization that offers educational resources and a community for songwriters worldwide. Designing courses and teaching online workshops made transitioning into a full-time educator at MTSU’s world-renowned Department of Recording Industry feel like a natural next step. My own college experience was also a major inspiration. I studied songwriting at SUNY Purchase in New York, and my professors had a huge impact on me and my career. Now, being able to give back to the next generation of artists and songwriters is incredibly rewarding.
How did your career path lead you to Middle Tennessee?
In the late 2000s, I signed a co-publishing deal with Secret Road, a Los Angeles-based licensing agency and publishing company. They connected me with various co-writers and producers in both LA and Nashville. I spent a few weeks each year in Nashville, working with songwriters, artists, and producers and building lasting relationships. In 2018, my family in New York decided to retire in Tennessee, and with a young child at the time, I was ready for a change. I took the opportunity to relocate with them to Nashville, which turned out to be the perfect move. By that point, I already had a network here, loved the city and the music scene, and knew it would offer new opportunities. It definitely did!
What is your favorite part of working with college students?
There's something uniquely special about artists and creators at this stage in their lives. Their talent and artistic voices are blossoming; they’re discovering who they are and absorbing information like sponges. They’ve often developed the necessary skills, but haven’t yet become jaded by the struggles artists often face. There’s a beautiful mix of innocence, creativity, and limitless possibility. I hear that in their music, and it inspires me. It’s an honor to be a guide at this pivotal moment in their artistic lives, and their energy fuels me in return.
What do you hope students take away from your classes?
Picasso once said, “Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist.” That idea is at the core of my teaching. Songwriting and creativity are subjective, and our industry is constantly evolving. I want students to master foundational skills while also having the confidence to experiment and find their unique voice. More importantly, I want them to learn how to learn. Creative fields are rarely straightforward, so the skills they develop should be transferable to whatever they pursue next. Successful artists never stop evolving, and that’s what I hope to inspire in them.
What is the most rewarding moment you’ve had as a professor?
One of the most rewarding moments was when my students wrote a song for a college commercial that went on to win an Emmy! Being on stage with them as they accepted their award, hearing them thank their professors and families, and knowing they were stepping into the world with such a huge accomplishment was an unforgettable feeling.
What advice do you have for students pursuing careers in your field?
Be open-minded, keep learning, stay persistent, and always be a good person. Building a career as a songwriter takes time, but if you consistently apply these principles, I believe success will follow.
What do you enjoy doing outside of the classroom?
I’m working on a few creative projects right now, including a sci-fi audio series being produced by Audible and a solo album. But honestly, nothing beats sitting on the couch with my guitar, writing a heartfelt, honest song. That’s my happy place. ?? I also have an 8-year-old son, and I love spending time with him, no matter what we’re doing.
What’s one fun fact your students might be surprised to learn about you?
I played guitar in Broadway’s first all-female pit band for the show Head Over Heels, which featured the music of the Go-Go’s.