'Motown U' legends celebrate with Clive Davis department

"Music is like oxygen. The world would not exist without it."

Those are the words of Leon Ware, a singer for Motown Records, the famous record label widely recognized for its characteristic influence on pop music.

Last week, the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts invited Ware and others as guest speakers to its weeklong conversation series titled "Motown U" in celebration of Motown's 50th anniversary.

Ware visited recorded music classes and spoke with students about Motown and the importance of music.

"I want [students] to learn the love and excitement of where music is and where it is going," Ware said. "I want them to know what music means to the world."

The "Motown U" series not only highlighted the musical talent of Motown artists but also their public images. The series featured Maxine Powell, co-founder of Motown's artist development department, which taught artists such as Diana Ross and Stevie Wonder how to effectively present themselves to the public.

During an event on Friday, Powell spoke with Gallatin associate professor Michael Dinwiddie about her past, describing her move from Chicago to Detroit where she founded a finishing school training models and soon met Gwen Gordy, the niece of Motown founder Berry Gordy.

Powell noted that the Motown artists during the time lacked effective stage presence.

"The artists had hit after hit, and they had no training," Powell said. "The public wanted to see them, and they weren't ready."

Powell demonstrated her skills as an artist development instructor Saturday during a special program in which she worked with five NYU student musicians, each of who performed for her. Following their performances, Powell offered critiques, particularly in regard to body language.

"Your body language speaks volumes about you before you open your mouth to speak," she said.

Gallatin senior Natti Vogel, who was among the student performers, said he was excited to work with Powell and felt Powell offered valuable input in her critiques.

"Image is just as important as sound," Vogel said. "In the art world today, we've reached a point where 'to be successful' means so many things."

For Powell, her role is not only about improving etiquette and charisma.

"I am not an etiquette teacher," she said. "I am a motivator."

Dina Davis is a contributing writer.