Several celebrated musicians also pursued higher education at Ivy League schools, but their connections differ: Joshua Redman, Art Garfunkel and Yo-Yo Ma graduated, while Caroline Shaw entered Princeton’s doctoral composition program. Their stories span jazz, folk-rock, classical performance and composition—and show why it matters to distinguish graduating from attending a program.
At a glance: their Ivy League connections
| Musician | Ivy League school | Education status and field | Musical role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Redman | Harvard College | Graduated in 1991 with a BA in Social Studies | Jazz saxophonist |
| Art Garfunkel | Columbia College | Graduated in 1965; majored in art history | Singer and recording artist with Simon & Garfunkel and as a solo artist |
| Yo-Yo Ma | Harvard University | Graduated in 1976 after conservatory training | Cellist |
| Caroline Shaw | Princeton University | Entered the doctoral program in musical composition in 2010; a Princeton degree is not established by the cited profile | Composer and musician |
Joshua Redman: Harvard graduate who deferred law school
Jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from Harvard College in 1991 with a BA in Social Studies, according to Stanford University’s Department of Music profile. Redman had also been accepted to Yale Law School, but deferred enrollment as his music career developed. His path joined a completed undergraduate degree with a consequential choice about what to do next.
Art Garfunkel: Columbia College and art history
Art Garfunkel earned a bachelor’s degree from Columbia College in 1965, majoring in art history. Columbia’s profile of Garfunkel says he first enrolled in architecture, left after a year and later reenrolled. The singer and recording artist became known both for Simon & Garfunkel and for his solo work.
Columbia’s account also connects the musicians’ college years to the duo’s chronology: “After going their separate ways—Garfunkel to Columbia and Simon to Queens College—they reestablished their joint act in 1964.” Garfunkel’s Columbia degree followed the duo’s reunion year.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Yo-Yo Ma: Harvard after conservatory training
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma graduated from Harvard University in 1976 after first receiving conservatory training, according to Columbia’s commencement profile. His education is a distinct path from the others here: specialized musical study came before his Harvard degree.
Caroline Shaw: Princeton doctoral study, not a documented Princeton graduation
Composer and musician Caroline Shaw entered Princeton University’s doctoral program in musical composition in 2010. Yale’s honorary-degree profile identifies her earlier bachelor of music degree as being from Rice University. The profile supports saying she entered Princeton’s doctoral program; it does not establish that she earned a doctorate there.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
What these examples show—and what they do not
These four biographies cover different relationships between music and university study: a Social Studies degree alongside a developing jazz career, an art-history major alongside a singer’s path, a Harvard education after conservatory training, and doctoral composition study after an undergraduate music degree elsewhere. An Ivy League affiliation can mean graduating, attending, or entering a program; those statuses are not interchangeable.
This is a selection, not a complete roster of musicians connected to all eight Ivy League schools. It also does not establish that an Ivy education caused any of these musicians’ success. The documented value is in the particular paths each person took.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
