Dustin Templeton is a fifteen-year veteran in the music and marketing technology world. With an education in music production using early digital audio workstations, a ten year working relationship with Apple, Inc., and experience as a CEO, Templeton brings vast experience and a clear vision to Consonant Music.
Dustin began his career in music at the age of 15 playing guitar and joining a band in his small hometown in Iowa. He began writing songs and soon his band was playing at local bars. When it became time for him to choose between going to college and pursuing his musical career, he chose both. Dustin made the choice to move to Minneapolis, MN and attend Music Tech, which is now McNally Smith. Majoring in music production, Dustin learned the basics of recording and production. He was also introduced to his first Macintosh.
When Dustin Templeton completed his education, he determined that he had the personality that he wanted to control his own destiny. He turned down offers for work from some of the larger players in the industry, moved to Illinois and began working on his own music and record label. Dustin worked many different jobs to supplement his income while pursuing his career in electronic music. These jobs included being a recording engineer, a pre-press specialist, a graphic designer, a promoter, etc. Every job he took used a Macintosh as the primary tool.
After spending his early twenties working in the electronic music industry (promoting raves, clubs, making dance records, booking and promoting dj’s etc), Dustin made the decision to “grow up” and accept a sales position working for a small Apple, Inc. reseller in the Chicago area. The company Glen Ellyn Computers (later named MacSpecialist), provided him with experience in many vital areas of business. Dustin climbed from being a Retail Sales Associate to becoming a Corporate Account Manager soon after his employment began. In the role of Account Manager, he brought accounts such as; Brookfield Zoo, Sanford (Newell Rubbermaid), and Shedd Aquarium to the business. These achievements later led to a promotion that put Dustin in charge of both retail sales and corporate accounts for the company.
In 2007, Dustin Templeton and two of his co-workers purchased the assets of the company and began to overhaul its branding, image, and methodologies. Dustin built a sales and marketing team that nearly doubled revenues, expanded the number of company locations, solidified relationships with Apple and other vendors and hosted some of the most successful networking events in Chicago.
Over his stint at MacSpecialst, Dustin Templeton became CEO and formed many valuable relationships with some of the worlds most successful companies. Two of these relationships (AEG and Live Nation) brought him back to his music industry roots. Dustin developed the first ever Mobile Apple Consulting Service for touring. The decision to create this service ultimately led to Dustin leave MacSpecialst in 2010 and start a company named MIX Touring (Music Industry Xperts).
Dustin Templeton and his team at MIX Touring worked as Apple consultants on tours ranging from country (Tim McGraw and Kenny Chesney) to pop (Black Eyed Peas and Britney Spears) to rock (Roger Waters and Motley Crue) to hip hop (Jay-Z and Kanye West). These are just a few examples of the talented artists and touring crews that Dustin has had the pleasure of working with during his time as an Apple consultant.
In 2012, Dustin came to the conclusion that his true love was music and technology came scored a close second. It was at this time he created Consonant Music to bring something new to the music industry and to his life.
Dustin’s experience in the music industry and extensive knowledge of cutting-edge technology proves to be an incredibly valuable asset to the leadership and future of Consonant Music.