Setting the Tempo: A Showcase of Artistry and Innovation within the Yale School of Music Community

​A Showcase of Artistry and Innovation within the Yale School of Music Community

January 15th, 2026 | 7:00-10:00pm | Adams Center for Musical Arts

​Join us for the inaugural edition of Setting the Tempo—a showcase of impactful student and alumni work from the Yale School of Music. Designed in partnership with the Cultural Innovation Lab, Setting the Tempo brings together emerging student entrepreneurs and a renowned transmedia creator, creating a dynamic exchange where early-stage ideas meet seasoned strategic insight communicated through music.

​The evening will feature two powerful examples of creative innovation within the Yale community: a performance by Solaris—a student-led collective dedicated to reimagining performance practices and collaboration models in chamber music; followed by the debut of red helicopter: An American Rock Opera—a multidisciplinary adaptation of the global best-selling book, red helicopter, created and produced by Yale Ventures Artist in Residence, James Rhee, and featuring music and performances by School of Music alumni and Solaris. The performances will be followed by a networking reception, which will include forward-looking remarks about the meaning and intention of the music and the event itself.

​James Rhee is a high school teacher and Harvard Law graduate who became a private equity investor and acclaimed CEO. He bridges math with emotions by marrying capital with purpose. His global best selling book, entitled red helicopter―a parable for our times: lead change with kindness (plus a little math), was the number one non-fiction book across all channels and media in its debut week, per USA Today. He is working on related educational, film, music, and television projects, all under the transmedia franchise named red helicopter. His TED Talk and Dare to Lead interview with Brené Brown have captured the imagination of millions. James was recently appointed Trustee at the storied National Humanities Center and serves as the Johnson Chair of Entrepreneurship and a Professor of Entrepreneurship at Howard University.

“Red Helicopter is a celebration of humanity, of agency, of choice. At its core, entrepreneurship is an act of creativity, courage, and design. We are staring down what can only be described as an existential evaluation of systems and how they shape what it means to be human. Against this backdrop, how fitting that the creative and artist communities, in partnership with the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, provide the spark and leadership necessary to reconsider the design of the future of living. And, of course, how fitting that all of this happen at Yale University.” -- James Rhee, upon the announcement of his appointment as the inaugural Artist in Residence at the Cultural Innovation Lab

​This event is supported by the Yale School of Music leadership curriculum, the Tsai CITY venture development pathway, and ongoing mentorship from the Cultural Innovation Lab at Yale’s Director, Frances Pollock, and Artist-in-Residence, James Rhee. Seating for this event is limited. In the event of oversubscription, a waiting list may be utilized to manage registrations beyond capacity.

​About the Cultural Innovation Lab at Yale:

​The Cultural Innovation Lab at Yale is an experimental R&D hub within Yale Ventures, created in partnership with MOC Innovations and the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. Through its pillars—Incubation, Braintrust, and Capital Architecture—the Lab builds new systems for cultural production, aligning artistic integrity with financial strategy, public mission, and long-term sustainability.