Chart-topping children’s recording and performing artist Doctor Noize is many things: Stanford Music grad, Master of Recording Arts, entrepreneur, teacher, author, speaker, app creator, studio owner, community builder, lifelong learner, and philosopher-poet-goofball, which BTW is like totally a thing. From the moment music saved his soul when most of his family died in one year as a kid, he knew he’d give back with what saved him.
With chart hits in three decades, the Doc’s catalog of recordings is a unique combination of exuberant joy, high-quality production, revered collaborators, and narrative musical structure. Each album is an adventure balancing inspirational learning with positive storytelling and songwriting all ages can explore. His work teaches instruments, music fundamentals, language, leadership, sustainability, equity, diversity and inclusion — all through the eyes of characters so engaging you won’t even know you’re learning.
Known for his virtuosic one-man-band shows nationwide, The Doc sings and plays a host of instruments, which he uses to loop record and even write songs with audiences on the spot. His diverse performances range in size and scope from acoustic shows and book readings to groundbreaking symphony performances of his acclaimed work Phineas McBoof Crashes the Symphonyintroducing newcomers to the wide world of orchestral music.
Doctor Noize’s innovative Workshops and teaching, developed through his Master’s Thesis on Recording Arts Education, draw on his lifetime of learning and leadership experience. As a team and community builder he’s been an award-winning high school Arts Department Head; full-time university Director of Recording Arts and Professor; elected to the Boards of the Recording Academy, Children’s Music Network, Stanford Alumni in Sustainability Climate Action Forum, and Christian Youth Theater (as an agnostic!); and won a Stanford STARS Award for his volunteer service leading a campaign securing the largest Stanford Reunion attendance ever. He runs Stanford’s acclaimed summer Recording Arts program and is Chair of the Pikes Peak State College Recording Arts Technology Program Advisory Board.
The Doc’s alter ego Cory Cullinan is a renowned songwriter, recording and performing artist for adults; commissioned composer for stage, screen and symphony; sought-out producer; avant-garde electronic musician; owner of multimedia production house Reach Studios; and writer of the Noizeletter. But his #1 gig is husband and father to three action/adventure superwomen who fuel him with inspiration and purpose. His wife Janette is a trailblazer as a blind corporate leader and Executive Coach; daughter Sidney Grace is a multimedia writer, director, producer and Silver Scholar at Yale School of Management; and daughter Riley Max is a recording, performing and visual artist and Harvard undergrad.
Doctor Noize releases his sustainability single and video “Funk The Planet” from his upcoming retrospective album Positive Energy! (The Music of Doctor Noize) on On World Environment Day (6/5). It’s also special as the final song to be released by the Doc’s all-star side gig, Konshens & The Earth Band, featuring rapper poet Konshens The MC from DC (son of hip-hop pioneer Master Gee of The Sugarhill Gang), multi-Grammy winner and UN Goodwill Ambassador Ricky Kej from India, and multi-Grammy-winning producer extraordinaire Lonnie Park from New York. “Funk The Planet” blends heart and humor, hip hop and pop, and natural joy with a call to action. Music by Doctor Noize; lyrics by Doctor Noize, Konshens The MC & Lonnie Park; percussion, mixing and mastering by Lonnie Park; and production by Ricky Kej, Lonnie Park & Doctor Noize. The video, blending live action and animation, is once again the creation of Doctor Noize’s daughter Sidney Cullinan of the Yale School of Management, who has scripted and directed music videos for Grammy winners and avant-garde works alike with equal skill and dedication to the artists’ vision.
Drawing on his open-minded approach, Doctor Noize and his main monkey Phineas McBoof continue their journey to learn and teach about creativity, curiosity, character and community through music, art and words.