Office of Undergraduate Education

I’ll always think of Nate as the “sweatband” kid in my first-year history course.  Nowadays, however, his long hair reads more “rock star” than John McEnroe. For the lead singer of Stella by Starlight, the moniker is fitting on the Duke campus because everyone knows Stella.  Formed in 2006, Stella by Starlight describes itself as an electropop band, composed of Nathan Fowler (songwriting, production, synths, and vocals) and Sonny Byrd (guitar, additional vocals).  It is a changing lineup, however, as the group has included two other Duke students Greg Laird (Acoustic Drums) and Shuhei Yamamoto (Bass).  In 2007, the group received mtvU’s Woodie Award for Best Music on Campus, which spurred a subsequent management deal.  From this year’s LDOC and senior pub-crawl to college campuses across the country, Stella has had a busy first few years.    Their latest LP, “My Electric Robot Friend,” feels like the synthesized equivalent of the Electric Kool Aid Acid Test–garrish, elfin and audibly psychedelic.  I like the song  “Good as it Gets” and its music video that was filmed in Bostock library.

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Saying you study with a master makes me think of the 80’s movie, the Karate Kid. But the only fancy footwork for the student’s the music department’s master classes is the piano pedals. Master classes, hosted by the Department of Music, bring select undergrads to study with noted and celebrity musicians for short one-on-one sessions.

Check out the DukeToday news article about students and their exciting new sensei.