14: Create Connections Using the Power of Music with Andy Sharpe

<p>We’re very excited to be interviewing Andy Sharpe today! As well as being a great storyteller, Andy is the astute and awesome entrepreneur who founded SongDivision, back in 2003.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>Since then, SongDivision has been pioneering ways to use the scientific principles of music to strengthen social bonds and emotional connections and to consolidate corporate culture.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>Sir Richard Branson once described SongDivision as a great company that uses the power of music to connect employees and customers.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>SongDivision is the official music partner of organizations like IMEX and Hard Rock Hotel and Resort.</p> <p>Andy is from Australia, and he lives in Maui.</p> <p><strong>Andy’s background</strong></p> <p>Andy played the clarinet in his school band. He also played the piano, and keyboards in a rock band outside of his school, from when he was about fourteen years old. The band played some gigs in local pubs, and a few years later, they managed to get a development deal with Sony Records.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>By then, Andy had started studying at Sydney University. When the band finally got a record contract from ACDC’s record label, they all dropped everything and went off to the UK, where they stayed for the next four years.<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></p> <p>When he got back to Australia, Andy was recruited by IBM, where he worked for the next ten years in global financing. IBM put him through an MBA. It was through working for IBM that he came to experience the event world, with incentive trips and team-building experiences.</p> <p><strong>Writing songs for pop stars<span class= "Apple-converted-space"> </span></strong></p> <p>While working for IBM, Andy continued writing songs for Australian pop stars. As a result, he was asked by Yothu Yindi, Australia’s famous indigenous band, to run some songwriting workshops with indigen