Makers at Work: Navigating the Music Industry

About this event

Tune in to this Makers at Work program to learn about the behind-the-scenes of the music industry. Lucas Fritz (B.M.’11), co-founder of Broadberry Entertainment Group, will lead the panel discussion. Fellow alum Dean Christesen (B.M.’10) and Tennishu will join him. After the moderated discussion, you’ll have an opportunity to submit your own questions to the panelists.

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About the panelists

Dean Christesen (B.M.’10)

Dean Christesen is the artist manager and owner of Terra Cotta, founded in March 2023. They were previously head of management and A&R at Spacebomb Group, the Virginia-based record label, studio and management company that Christesen co-founded in 2010 with Matthew E. White, working on releases by Bedouine, Natalie Prass, Tim Heidecker and more. They manage the artists Bonny Light Horseman, Dan Croll, Fruit Bats and Joni. Bonny Light Horseman was nominated for two Grammys and won the A2IM Libera Award for Best Americana Record. Christesen lives in Richmond with their partner, Audrey; two children; and cats Granby and Disco.

Lucas Fritz (B.M.’11)

Starting as an intern while at VCU studying jazz performance and business, Lucas Fritz began booking shows and curating regular series at the Camel. As one of the founding partners of The Broadberry, he helped shape the brand through artist programming and the curation of larger-scale, one- and two-day events and festivals. Fritz’s passion for events has led him not only to talent buying but also to site development, logistics and operations across multiple large-format outdoor spaces and Broadberry Entertainment Group programs.

Tennishu

Tennishu (Marcus James Tenney) is a saxophonist, trumpeter, rapper, producer and composer whose work connects jazz, hip-hop and soul through improvisation and storytelling. Raised in Richmond, the former VCU student developed his musical voice within the city’s freelance community and VCU-connected music scene.

As a member of Butcher Brown, Tennishu has toured internationally, appeared on NPR’s “Tiny Desk” and contributed to recordings including “Letters From the Atlantic.” His original hip-hop productions also provided the foundation for the band’s “Triple Trey” project, reimagined for an expanded jazz ensemble.

His independent catalog — including “More to the Story,” “More of the Story” and “ReadyForJapan” — brings his instrumental playing, lyricism and production into a distinctive artistic voice. Writing, performing, producing and recording much of his own music, he combines expressive horn arrangements with personal narratives and rhythmic experimentation. He also leads the Tennishu Quartet, creating space for original composition and spontaneous interplay.

Tennishu’s work extends to appearances with the Phoenix Symphony, Cincinnati Pops and Richmond Symphony, including performances in Steve Hackman’s “The Resurrection Mixtape.” Whether playing the horn, delivering a verse or shaping a recording, he approaches music with the same priorities: careful listening, melodic expression and a direct connection with the audience.

Questions about the event? Contact Emily Campbell (M.A.’15), director of alumni engagement, School of the Arts, at campbelleg@vcu.edu.

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Participation in any alumni engagement event is open to all members of the VCU community with registration.