Artists and Speakers

Zane Agnew is a Production Specialist at AmpRx, where he contributes to the development of high-quality power solutions for musicians and audio professionals. Based in Nashville, Zane is also a talented guitar player, bringing his deep understanding of tone and performance to both the stage and the workshop. He is the lead guitarist and co-founder of the Nashville based indie rock band Red Lennon. His passion for music and technical expertise make him a valuable asset in the music product industry.

Leader in Workplace Culture, Emotional Intelligence, Resilience Training, Mindful Communications and Organizational Design Consultant for the Music, Tech, Media, the Arts & Entertainment | Professionally Credentialed Coach (PCC) | Executive Producer of Mindfulness In Music Conference | CoFounder & CEO of CoMuse Mindful Business Community | Founder of Zenful Dance (published work, University Press)

Nabil Ayers is the President of Beggars Group US, where he has led campaigns for artists including The National, Big Thief, and Grimes, as well as landmark reissues such as Pixies’ platinum-selling album Doolittle. He is the chair of the A2IM board and he served as a Recording Academy Trustee and elected governor from 2018–2024. He has been named one of Billboard’s “Indie Power Players” consecutively from 2019–2025. Ayers co-founded Sonic Boom Records in Seattle at age 25 and has recorded and toured internationally as a drummer in several bands. Through his own label, The Control Group / Valley of Search, he has released music by Cate Le Bon, Lykke Li, Bad Brains, The Killers, PJ Harvey, and his uncle, the jazz musician Alan Braufman. Ayers is the host of Identified, a podcast exploring family dynamics, with guests including Michelle Zauner, John Legend, and Tom Morello. He is the author of the memoir My Life in the Sunshine (Viking, 2022) and has contributed writing on music, race, and family to The New York Times, The Guardian, and GQ.

Morgan is passionate about music, creativity, and all things sound. She began playing flute in sixth grade, and loved it so much she continued studying music through college. There, she discovered Capital University’s Music Technology program and developed skills in recording, live sound, and audio post-production. Since graduating, Morgan has worked as an audio engineer and technical coordinator for live events while earning certifications for programs such as Dante, and Shure systems. Drawn to Bell Tree’s mission and creative spirit, she now serves as Technical Coordinator, helping design and execute successful live events through hands-on planning and client collaboration.

Libby Ballengee is a Dayton-based music promoter and event producer with over a decade of experience in live music, event production, and artist development. As founder of Venus Child Productions and music booker at The Brightside, one of Dayton's premier destination venues, Libby has built a reputation for curating eclectic, community-driven events that celebrate live music, art, and culture. She has produced countless shows and festivals that have amplified local and regional talent, including the Yellow Springs Film Festival and Dayton Battle of the Bands. Known as Dayton's Music Insider, Libby brings both the artist's perspective and the venue operator's lens to everything she does, championing the live music ecosystem in her city and beyond.

Cindy Barber started working in music at local record label branches while still in college. With a media degree, she started an underground newspaper in the late ‘70s and continued in music, booking and managing local bands. In 1992, she helped launch Cleveland Free Times, an award-winning alt-weekly and served on the national Association for Alternative Newsweeklies board before that industry collapsed. In 2000, she co-founded Beachland Ballroom and Tavern, a now legendary concert venue and in 2012, founded Cleveland Rocks: Past Present Future, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving Northeast Ohio’s popular music culture and growing a music business economy.

Peter Bell is the Founder and CEO of Bell Tree Productions, a Columbus-based experiential event services company specializing in live production, multimedia content, event logistics, and AV integration. Since launching the company in 2014 at age 22, Peter has grown Bell Tree from a home-based startup into a multi-faceted and trusted partner for clients both locally and nationwide. In 2024, and again in 2025, Bell Tree was recognized by Columbus Business First as one of the region’s Fast 50 fastest-growing private companies.
 

A Central Ohio native and Ohio University graduate, Peter began his career producing touring acts and theatrical events at Ohio University's Memorial Auditorium, before touring across Europe with musical acts. Those experiences shaped his global perspective and expertise in high-stakes production logistics.

Today, Peter is known for designing immersive, story-driven event experiences and advocating for AV and production strategy as a core component of event design and attendee engagement—helping organizations create more engaging, impactful gatherings.

Bill Bitunjac is a digital strategy and e‑commerce leader who specializes in transforming complex challenges into clear, actionable direction. As Vice President of Ecommerce at Warner Music Group, he works across fans, artists, and labels to shape the global retail experience for music and merchandise. Known for blending data, storytelling, and operational excellence, Bill has led product, technology, and customer‑experience teams for major brands across retail, fitness, and digital platforms. An Ohio University alumnus, he brings a collaborative, customer‑obsessed approach to building innovative, scalable digital experiences.

Kathy Blackman is the owner and lead talent buyer of Grog Shop and its basement counterpart, B Side Lounge. She opened the Grog in 1992 and moved the club to a larger location and created the B Side Lounge in 2003. The Grog Shop has played host to countless local, national, and international touring acts for over thirty years, booking all ranges of indie rock, hip-hop, hardcore, jam, reggae, metal, electronic, & comedy. It is not uncommon for acts to return to the Grog stage after they have grown in the industry. The B Side started as a dj lounge space, primarily focusing on local and regional acts. They have expanded their programming and now showcase smaller musical acts, poets, host community events, and serve as a neighborhood hub. Kathy serves on several community boards including her neighborhood development organization and Assembly for the Arts serving Greater Cleveland. She has two college-age children, a supportive husband, an adorable dog and an aging cat.

Bob Boilen is the creator of NPR’s Tiny Desk concerts, host and creator of NPR’s All Songs Considered, and for 19 years directed NPR’s All Things Considered. Bob is the author of "Your Song Changed My Life,” featuring interviews with 35 musicians, including Jimmy Page, Hozier, Smokey Robinson, Jeff Tweedy, Philip Glass, and Ian MacKaye, about the music that changed their paths in life. Bob is also an ambient musician and composer, as well as a producer/musician in the Danger Painters. Since retiring from NPR, Bob is program director for WOWD, a community radio station in Takoma Park, MD, and D.C., and hosts his weekly radio show, My Tiny Morning Show.

Kevin Breuner is Head of Artist Development & Education at BandLab Technologies, where he works on tools and strategies to help creators at every stage of their music careers. A working musician with 25+ years in the industry, Kevin is the founding guitarist of Atlanta's Smalltown Poets. The band has sold 300,000 albums, earned two Grammy nominations for Best Rock Gospel Album, landed three #1 singles and ten Top 10 radio hits, and toured internationally across 20+ countries. His music has been placed with Peacock, ABC, the NFL, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Before joining BandLab, Kevin spent 17 years at CD Baby, ultimately serving as SVP of Artist Engagement and Education. There, he created the DIY Musician brand and podcast, built out the company's content marketing strategy, and spearheaded sync licensing opportunities for independent artists. His career sits at the rare intersection of working artist and industry executive, giving him a firsthand understanding of what creators actually need to thrive in today's industry.

As a two time OU Grad, Sam enjoys any opportunity to return to Athens whether it be for weekend getaway or working on a project with Bell Tree Productions. A 2013 School of Media Arts & Studies Graduate, Sam has always enjoyed calling on his experience at OU to look for new ways to push the limits of technology and develop creative solutions to problems. Now in his role at Bell Tree Productions he brings together his creative media side with his data driven business side to help oversee and guide our live event, permanent AV installation, and multimedia teams.

Jon is a music producer and media production professional working across both sides the of the artist and record label equation. As co-founder of Workbook Studio (Columbus, OH), Jon worked with rising midwest artists in every genre. Additionally he has served as live sound engineer and tour manager. Now residing in NYC, Jon oversees a team of multimedia engineers for Sony Music, and maintains Landline Recording - a commercial studio space in Hoboken, NJ, focusing on mixing and mastering.

As Vice President of Programming for the past decade, Rich Corsi has led the strategic planning and execution of programming across CAPA’s multiple premier venues. Each season, he successfully books and manages over 70 CAPA Presents performances, curating a diverse, inclusive, and high-quality lineup that serves a broad community. Rich’s role at CAPA is deeply rooted in collaboration, both internally and externally. He has built and sustained key partnerships with organizations such as Downtown Columbus, Inc./Columbus Commons, The Ohio State University Department of Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company, and the City of Columbus. Acting as a liaison among artists, agents, managers, and CAPA’s internal teams, Rich has developed strong negotiation skills and a reputation for delivering impactful, well-coordinated programming that supports CAPA’s mission and elevates the cultural landscape of central Ohio. Rich just completed his 35th year at CAPA.

Jake Ewald is a songwriter and producer. He currently lives in Columbus, Ohio. “I’ve always admired Jake's eye for detail… gorgeous imagery and vivid worlds are built within each song. I see it all. Most impressively to me, he consistently finds the divine and sacred in the everyday.” -Craig Finn

Mike Fink is Senior Director of Creator Services at DistroKid, where he develops partnerships and programs that help independent artists grow and scale globally in the streaming era. He works closely with artists and platforms to unlock new opportunities and drive sustainable growth. Prior to DistroKid, Mike led independent label and artist partnerships at Pandora, securing and launching several of the company’s first direct deals. His background also includes producing more than 1,300 performances at the Kennedy Center and co-founding the indie label The Kora Records.

• Music Industry Consultant, Your Morning Coffee Newsletter & Podcast, Co-Founder Label Logic www.jaygilbert.coffee
• Decades of experience as an executive with Universal Music, Sony Music and Warner Music Groups.
• Created and executed unique online marketing plans for Nirvana, The Police, KISS, Motley Crue, Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, Elton John, Styx, Rob Zombie, Johnny Cash, Guns ‘N Roses, Smokey Robinson, Tears For Fears, Rick Springfield, Lisa Loeb, Ringo Starr, Ron White, Peter Frampton, The Temptations, Amy Grant, Melissa Etheridge, The Accidentals, Travis Tritt and many others.
• Co-founder, Digital Strategy and Audience Insights at Label Logic
• Curator of Your Morning Coffee :: Weekly Music Business Newsletter (over 25,000)
• Co-host of the Your Morning Coffee Podcast
• Co-host of Billboard's Behind The Setlist Podcast
• Guest speaker at Belmont, UCLA, USC, Colorado State, Columbia University, University of Washington, Loyola Marymount, Los Angeles College of Music, Portland State, UC Denver, Hofstra University Music Business Programs, Folk Alliance, Americanafest, Music Managers Forum, Grammy.com, Music Business Association.
• Voting member of the Recording Academy
• Mentor with GrammyU
• Photography: https://www.jaygilbert.net/

Josh is a Columbus OH based creative visionary, bringing ideas to life as a live event technology producer and dynamic promoter whose work draws heavily on his interest in tech, animation, art, and activism. With nearly two decades of event industry experience, he has worked on the marketing side of independent music and alternative radio and provided experiential event curation and production for museums and festivals, now creating seamless AV experiences as Technical Production Analyst at Bell Tree Productions!

Thomas Golubić is a four-time Emmy nominated music supervisor, twice Grammy nominated record producer, podcast host and DJ based in Los Angeles. His music supervision credits include Pluribus, Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Poker Face, Silo, The Walking Dead, Halt and Catch Fire, and Six Feet Under, among many other film & television projects. In 2017 Thomas became the president of the Guild of Music Supervisors, the same year he was nominated for the first Outstanding Music Supervisor Emmy Award for his work on Better Call Saul. The Guild twice awarded Thomas with Best Music Supervision in a Television Drama for his work on Breaking Bad. In 2014, Thomas programmed and launched the Guild of Music Supervisors ‘State of Music in Media’ conference, currently running over a decade. He has also served as producer and director of the Guild of Music Supervisor Awards.

Brandon Haas is the Executive Director, A&R / Business Development, North America at Believe Music Publishing where he is responsible for leading high-level signings, strategic partnerships and market expansion across the region. With more than two decades of experience in the music industry, he is a seasoned executive known for executing high-impact business and creative strategies. Throughout his career, Brandon has held leadership roles at BMI, Glassnote Records, Interscope/Geffen/A&M Records, and Universal Music Publishing, where he enhanced competitive positioning in key global markets and helped shape the careers of artists and songwriters across genres.

Gary Heinrich is the Director of Audio for NPi Audio Visual Solutions, a full-service event technology company in Cleveland, Ohio. Gary’s early career was spent in the trenches of “combat audio” as he cut his teeth mixing bands at legendary venues such as the Grog Shop, the Beachland Ballroom and the Winchester. Among Gary’s early claims to fame was mixing what may have been the first show by The Black Keys.

At NPi, Gary has mixed countless shows for high-profile clients and artists such as the Cleveland Orchestra, numerous Fortune 500 CEOs and the President of the United States. When he’s not hanging PA systems and mixing bands, Gary plays with and records a variety of artists. HIs current projects include a metal bands Ozule, Black Death and Cerebral Necrosis, and the Americana project James McKeivier & the Starry Sky Band.

An Ohio University employee for 26 years, Andrew Holzaepfel has been the Director of the Ohio University Performing Arts & Concert Series for 16 years. Andrew oversees, supervises, and executes all programming, planning, and marketing efforts of the annual Performing Arts & Concert Series (including over 100 public performances and outreach activities annually). Since 1998, Andrew has also held positions as Assistant and Associate Director for the Office of University Events and former Office of Public Occasions. During this period he was primarily responsible for the annual Performing Arts Series, facility management of OU’s Memorial Auditorium, overseeing the Front of House Staff, the Ticket Office operations, Marketing and Promotions, and budgetary coordination for the office. He holds a M.ED degree from Ohio University and served as an OAPN board member from 2003-2007, 2012-2015; and is an active member of the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (APAP) and International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA).

For over a decade, Natalie Jackson has served as the Managing Partner at Natalie’s, overseeing food, beverage, and operations for the live music venue. She is deeply committed to legitimizing the service industry by offering living wages, health insurance, and paid time off. Natalie’s closest relationships are often with the extraordinary individuals, especially women, who make up the Columbus music community, which continues to inspire her every day. She has always viewed Columbus as an underdog city—where creativity, grit, and heart matter more than wealth, and where people from all walks of life can make a place for themselves at the table.

I help Entertainment, Media, and Enterprise companies deepen fan relationships and drive revenue by addressing pain points in the fan life cycle and solving complex business process and data integration problems to take you from being data rich to data driven.

Maggie Kaput works on the marketing team at the Ryman Auditorium, helping bring nearly 250 shows per year to life through strategic promotion and creative storytelling. In her role, she collaborates closely with artist management teams to promote shows and build meaningful, effective relationships. She manages the Ryman’s day-to-day social media channels, ensuring content is timely, engaging, and aligned with the venue’s iconic brand voice. Maggie also helps concept, edit, and publish original content that highlights artists, performances, the Ryman’s history, and the overall Ryman experience and brand story. Through a mix of collaboration and creativity, she supports marketing efforts that connect artists and fans around the world through memorable experiences.

Cindy Katzenmeyer is the Assistant Director of Programming at Playhouse Square, where she helps shape one of the nation’s most vibrant performing arts landscapes. In her role, she oversees a broad portfolio of live entertainment offerings — from comedy and concerts to special events and national touring productions — collaborating closely with artists, agents, and industry partners to bring compelling experiences to Northeast Ohio audiences. Cindy’s programming leadership includes work on major events such as comedy performances and numerous high profile concerts. Her deep experience coordinating with production teams, marketing partners, and presenters allows her to champion both emerging artists and established names across genres. Known for her collaborative approach, Cindy partners closely with Playhouse Square colleagues across Programming, Marketing, Ticketing, and Production, ensuring each event is thoughtfully planned and positioned for success. She is recognized for her ability to translate creative concepts into memorable live experiences — and for her steady, detail driven presence behind the scenes of some of the region’s most anticipated performances. Cindy is passionate about expanding access to live arts programming and supporting the artists and communities that make Playhouse Square a cultural anchor in Cleveland.

With a career spanning both sides of the Atlantic, Talia Kraines is a leading voice in pop music programming. As Spotify's US Pop Lead, she's responsible for curating the soundscape for millions of listeners globally and spends her days listening to as many new pop songs as possible. Her journey began in the UK, where she worked in radio production for renowned broadcasters like the BBC, Global, and Bauer, before moving to the US to launch Amazon Music's international expansion. Talia's expertise extends beyond playlists; she's a seasoned DJ with an innate understanding of what moves people on the dance floor and a keen observer of pop culture trends. Oh, and if you ever want to dive deep into a debate about the Spice Girls' impact on modern womanhood? Talia's your girl.

Rachel is the Senior Director of Creative & Synch Licensing at Kobalt Music, where she oversees strategic placements for a diverse roster ranging from Max Martin and Doja Cat to the legendary catalogs of Stevie Nicks and John Denver. With a foundation built at RCA Records handling master-side rights and entering her seventh year on the publishing side at Kobalt, Rachel brings a 360-degree perspective to the synchronization landscape. Her expertise spans the full media spectrum, including high-stakes Super Bowl campaigns, major film and TV projects, and immersive video game soundtracks. She remains focused on finding innovative ways to integrate music into the ever-changing gaming and visual media spaces.

A Texas-born multidisciplinary artist and creative leader working at the intersection of performance, storytelling, and media. A trained actress, dancer, and singer, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from AMDA (The American Musical and Dramatic Academy) and a Master’s degree in Film & Media Production from NYFA, New York Film Academy in Los Angeles. While a performer at heart, Marisha has expanded her career into directing and producing music videos and short films, guiding projects with clarity, adaptability, and creative integrity. She currently works at a public media tv and radio station in Dallas and is pursuing her second master’s degree in Digital Media and Marketing, where she continues to sharpen her voice as both a creator and strategist. Grounded in resilience and purpose, Marisha believes in being a light through storytelling and is committed to mentoring artists to move boldly, evolve fearlessly, and honor their creative truth.

Belinda Ligotino is a community builder and advocate dedicated to creating safer, more inclusive spaces in the music industry. As Global VP of Communications and a newly elected Board Member for Women in Music, she has produced 250+ newsletters for 3,000+ members, led the global event registration team, coordinated chapter communications worldwide, and managed member communication since 2019. She also co-founded the WIM Mentorship Program, matching hundreds of mentors and mentees, and is a founding member of Safe(r) Spaces, an initiative that supports and provides survivors of sexual assault with vital resources.

Belinda serves as Operations Manager at AmpRx, overseeing daily operations, artist relations, and content production—driven by her passion for filming and amplifying stories for the artists on the stage and the ones behind the scenes who make them sound great. Previously, at jump.global, she helped launch the first music-industry conference focused on mental wellness and supported executives in developing purpose-driven leadership.

Her career also includes artist development, artist management, DEI programming, and event production with AmpliFLY Entertainment, EVA, Marathon Music Works, and TEDxNashville.

Yuri Lysoivanov is a Chicago-based audio engineer and educator who is thrilled to be sharing his knowledge as a senior product expert at Shure. His exciting career takes him across the country to share his expertise, while also regularly working with musicians and influencers to raise awareness of Shure products and audio engineering concepts. As a recording professional, Yuri specializes in acoustic instruments, singer/songwriters and classical ensembles. His recent recording work includes the American Composers Orchestra, Joshua Bell, Artemisia Trio, Fifth House Ensemble, Kontras Quartet, and many others. Prior to joining Shure, Yuri was the Chair of the Recording Arts Department at Flashpoint Chicago for over a decade, teaching and mentoring the next generation of recording professionals. On top of his product knowledge and recording responsibilities, Yuri is also currently working towards his Masters degree in Acoustical Engineering at Penn State University.

Dan Mackta is Managing Director at Qobuz, overseeing operations in North America, Northern Europe, and AUS/NZ. With over 30 years in the music industry, he has held senior marketing and leadership roles at labels including RCA Records, Jive Records, Razor & Tie, 4AD, and Eleven Seven, helping develop and break artists across multiple genres. At Qobuz, Dan focuses on high-quality music streaming, artist-friendly policies, and partnerships that support dedicated music and audio culture. Beyond Qobuz, he serves as a Board Member and DJ at Maker Park Radio, a non-profit community radio station in his home borough of Staten Island, NY.

Alex began his career in sync as an intern at Warner Music Group immediately after graduation in 2018. Seven years later, he is now an Associate Director on their Global Sync team - primarily focused on Gaming & New Media projects. His main slate of clients include Epic Games, 2K Games, Electronic Arts, Rockstar Games, Meta, Roblox, and many more.

Deborah Mannis-Gardner — the “Queen of Sample Clearance” according to Billboard, Forbes, Variety, and more — is the go-to expert for global music rights clearances. After starting DMG Clearances, Inc. in 1996, Deborah’s sample clearance skills quickly became legendary. She has cleared releases for artists including Drake, Tyler the Creator, Justin Bieber, DJ Khaled, Eminem, Clipse, De La Soul, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Frank Ocean, Jay-Z, John Legend, Megan Thee Stallion, J. Cole, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Beyoncé, and more. Beyond sampling, Deborah has handled music clearances for video games such as Rockstar Games franchises “Grand Theft Auto” and “Red Dead Redemption”; metaverse platforms such as Meta and Roblox, including a live concert from Post Malone; films by Martin Scorsese, The Coen Brothers, and Richard Linklater; TV series on networks such as HBO, Showtime, Netflix, and Paramount+; ad campaigns for Google, Ciroc, and Kmart; and podcasts such as Rick Rubin and Malcolm Gladwell’s “Broken Record.” In addition, Deborah has handled Grand Rights clearance for Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway sensation “Hamilton” and music clearances for its release on Disney+. She was the award-winning music supervisor of HBO’s Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine docu-series “The Defiant Ones.”

Theresa May (she/her) is a trumpeter, educator, and creator from Cleveland, Ohio. She holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and the University of Dayton, and serves as adjunct faculty at Cuyahoga Community College, teaching Applied Trumpet, African-American Music History, and World Music. An advocate for equity in the arts, Theresa co-founded the Chromatic Brass Collective to promote diversity in the brass community. She was awarded the 2022 “Room in the House” Fellowship from Karamu House, supporting the release of her debut album, Renewed, under her moniker Dizygotic Energy, and received the 2024 Creative Impact Fund. As an active performer, Theresa has appeared with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra and Mourning [A] BLKstar. Career highlights include featured solo performances at the International Women’s Brass Conference, a 3-month national tour of Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Live, and the Cleveland run of MJ the Musical (2024), and Suffs (2026).

Harrison Mbemba is a product engineer and founder of AuxChord, a platform where artists grow their community and monetize through fan-submitted music. AuxChord started as a simple tool for artists to listen to music from their fanbase and became the leading platform for fan-submitted music on TikTok.

John earned a degree in Music Engineering from the University of Miami in 1989. While in school, he began working at Middle Ear Studios on Miami Beach, owned by Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees, where he progressed from assistant to chief engineer and co-producer. In 2004, he opened his own studio, RedDoor, to produce new and established acts. Over the course of his career, John has had the opportunity to work with a notable array of musicians, songwriters, producers and engineers. His production credits include Barbra Streisand, Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Prince, Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, Coldplay, and Lenny Kravitz, and producers Arif Mardin, David Foster, Dave Cobb, and Phil Ramone. He is a founding member of the Les Paul Foundation Board. After completing his MFA in Recording Arts at MTSU, he started teaching for the Department of Recording Industry, where he served as Chair from 2020-2024. He taught classes throughout the US and internationally, offering guest lectures and training in England, Germany, Australia, Norway, and the Middle East. In 2025, he was named Professor Emeritus.

Chris is a multi Grammy nominated music producer, engineer, and songwriter best known for his work with Bon Iver both in the studio and on stage. He's also made records with critically acclaimed artists such as Gordi, Tamino, Bruce Hornsby, and S. Carey. Prior to his in studio work, he spent nearly a decade as a touring audio engineer with the likes of Madonna, Lady Gaga, Eminem, Lil Wayne and many others.

Seth Miller is a proud Ohio University alumnus and the founder CEO of Rapchat, a social music platform empowering over 15 million creators worldwide. He launched Rapchat during his junior year at OU, turning a campus idea into a global music community helping creators across the entire stack. Rapchat has raised 3 rounds of funding and today, Seth focuses on building new creator tools and exploring how AI is reshaping music creation and startups.

As a music industry veteran with years of experience developing and overseeing strategies to maximize artist exposure at record labels, creative agencies and music tech companies, Montes’ extensive track record secured partnerships with notable brands including SoundCloud, MTV, VH1, BET, CMT, Vevo, Fuse, MySpace and Nickelodeon. Until recently, Erika served as the President at Rostrum Records, one of the most prominent independent record labels in the industry. In this role, she managed and oversaw label operations, artist relations, and worldwide distribution partnerships. Prior to joining Rostrum, Montes served as Global VP, Artist & Label Relations at SoundCloud, the artist-first audio platform empowering artists to build and grow their careers by providing them with the most progressive resources. During her tenure, Montes played a key leadership role in SoundCloud’s development of support initiatives to bring equitable and transparent payments to artists in the form of “fan-powered” royalties and raised over $15 million in direct investment to help creators on the platform who had been financially impacted by the pandemic. She previously served as Vice President, Music Programming and Development at Fuse and Senior Director, Video Marketing & Promotions at Island Def Jam, where she was involved with projects from some of the biggest names in the music industry at the beginning of their careers including Rihanna, Fall Out Boy, and Kanye West. Montes began her music career as an A&R assistant at PolyGram Latino, during the summer between her sophomore and junior years at Boston University. In addition to being a Femme It Forward Mentor, Montes is a member of XXL Magazine’s Awards Board along with being recognized by Billboard’s highly coveted 2021 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players and 2020 Women In Music lists. Born in New York, while growing up between Ecuador and Miami, Montes currently calls Los Angeles home.

Marcus J. Moore is an esteemed music journalist and author of two books: "The Butterfly Effect: How Kendrick Lamar Ignited the Soul of Black America" (2020), and "High and Rising (A Book About De La Soul)" (2024). He has been a contributing writer with The Nation and a senior editor with Bandcamp Daily, a platform he helped launch. He co-leads the jazz-focused "5 Minutes That Will Make You Love..." series at The New York Times. Elsewhere, his music coverage can be found at NPR, Pitchfork, TIME, Entertainment Weekly, GQ, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The Atlantic, among other outlets.

Brian Muehlenkamp is a Product Manager at Ticketmaster, where he works on the technology that powers how artists go on sale and how teams make real-time decisions during high-stakes events. Before landing at Ticketmaster, he worked at venues, recording studios, and music festivals. An Audio Production alumni and returning speaker at the Music Industry Summit, Brian lives right here in Athens with his wife and two sons and is excited to share what he has learned with the next generation coming up in the industry.

Kari Nakamura is an artist manager and creative strategist committed to amplifying artists' stories and visions, while cultivating meaningful, lasting relationships with fans. She is deeply passionate about storytelling, artist advocacy, and fostering inclusive communities within the music industry. Previously, Kari served as Management Coordinator at rogue., where she supported artists such as FLETCHER, August Ponthier, Lexi Jayde, and more. She currently serves as a Co-Chair for Women in Music’s Nashville Chapter, as well as the organization’s Global Team through their Mentorship Initiative and as the Global Chair of Partnerships.

Timothy Pattison is Senior Director, Creative at BMI based in their New York City office. In this role, he is responsible for scouting and signing new songwriters and publishers, maintaining relationships with existing BMI affiliates worldwide, as well as coordinating various songwriter-focused showcases including BMI’s Speed Dating for Songwriters and BMI’s monthly Acoustic Lounge, the BMI Stage at festivals like Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza and SXSW, and several others. He is also a frequent guest lecturer at the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Throughout his tenure at BMI, Timothy has been instrumental in maintaining BMI’s working relationships with some of today’s most popular artists including A.G. Cook, Dasha, Doja Cat, Dom Dolla, Geese, Tame Impala, Steve Lacy and many more. Prior to joining BMI in 2015, Pattison worked at Fat Possum Records and Spirit Music Group. Pattison holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from Ohio University and a Master of Music Technology from New York University.

Tim Peacock is the Director of the Nelsonville Music Festival and the Artistic Director of Stuart’s Opera House. Stuart’s Opera House produces the annual Nelsonville Music Festival, which Peacock founded in 2005. Tim is under-educated, is passionate about music, is an avid record collector, and enjoys being outside. He frequently dreams of retirement.

Mike Petruccelli is an Ohio University alumnus based in Chicago, Illinois. He has been a product specialist for eight years at Shure Inc. and has been involved in the development of audio products including the SM7dB Podcasting Microphone, DuraPlex Lavaliers, the SM39 headset, and SLXD+ Wireless Systems.

Frankie Pine, working under Whirly Girl Music, is an Emmy & Grammy-nominated Music Supervisor creating memorable soundtracks for high-profile projects. She has received 11 Guild of Music Supervisors Awards nominations, winning four times for Magic Mike, Nashville, and Sylvie's Love. Recently, Frankie supervised music for the Emmy-nominated Amazon series Daisy Jones & The Six, earning Emmy and Grammy nominations in 2023. She's also working on Lionsgate's Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret, Apple TV+'s The Last Thing He Told Me, Amazon's Carnival Row (Season 2), Netflix's Florida Man, Focus Features's Book Club: The Next Chapter, and Amazon's The Idea of You. Her previous work includes The Flight Attendant, Big Sky, From Scratch, and A League of Their Own. Frankie's diverse portfolio spans television dramas like Nashville and The Newsroom, comedies like Santa Claus 2, and box office hits like Magic Mike38. As a Music Consultant, she worked on Steven Soderbergh's Ocean's trilogy and the Grammy-nominated soundtrack for Traffic. Frankie is a long-time member of the Guild of Music Supervisors.

Jason Rawls, renowned music producer and educator, has worked with artists like Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, Mos Def, and De La Soul. In 2024, he released The Confidence of Knowing with Talib Kweli. An educator with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Rawls is an Assistant Professor of Hip Hop at THE Ohio State University and a leader in the #HipHopEd movement. He co-authored Youth Culture Power and is developing a Hip-Hop Studies program at OSU. His work is featured in the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and he has pioneered Hip-Hop Based Education initiatives in higher education.

John brings 25+ years of industry experience in audio recording and mixing, post-production, and AV systems design to education and curriculum development. At Dolby, he develops learning resources that inspire and support educators, artists, and creative professionals in adopting Dolby technologies within their workflows. John also serves as technical manager, systems designer, and lead integrator for Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision installations worldwide, creating immersive experiences that connect audiences with the future of sound and image.

Jennifer Sellers is an established events producer and project leader, with 15+ years of experience producing live content. Jen has worked with independent promoters and venues, trade organizations, non-profit initiatives and community development groups. She champions the voices and talent within the community and values the art of conversation and connection. In 2025, Jennifer founded Civic Noise, a cultural production and consulting studio. Jen has worked with or partnered with the National Independent Venue Association [NIVA], CoMuse, Queens Rising, Central Astoria Local Business Coalition, CEG Presents, Mondo.NYC, School of Rock, Marauder, Sonicbids and sits on the board of the Astoria Park Alliance where she brings art and music events to the Queens community. She has also been a guest speaker at New York University and Roc Nation School of Music, Sports and Entertainment.

Adam Sensenbrenner is an artist manager and Partner at Mick Management. A North Carolina native and Appalachian State University graduate, Adam began his career managing bands while still in college before relocating to New York City to build his career in the music industry. Since joining Mick Management in 2017, he has worked alongside a diverse roster of artists that currently includes Caamp, The Backseat Lovers, and Natalie Hemby. Now calling Nashville home, Adam brings over a decade of hands-on management experience and a deep commitment to artist development to everything he does. He lives in East Nashville with his wife and two daughters.

Ash M. Sheehan is the Senior Director of National Member Engagement at the Recording Academy/GRAMMYs, where she oversees an elite portfolio of initiatives and events for the Academy’s 20,000+ members around the world. Her work centers on elevating local community and intentional connection as she leads the member engagement support team for 12 Chapters nationwide. Since joining the Academy in 2014, Ash has produced hundreds of live events and member experiences with artists including Brandi Carlile, Cynthia Erivo, Cyndi Lauper, Saweetie, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Sheila E, St. Vincent, Wale and more. Her program work with GRAMMY Advocacy has helped to raise thousands for the GRAMMY Fund for Music Creators, and she actively lobbies lawmakers in Chicago and Washington, D.C. on behalf of creator rights. Prior to the Academy, Ash worked at ASCAP, Poetry Foundation/POETRY magazine and various freelance jobs in publicity and tour management.

Viicky Shepherd is a Marketing Specialist at NPi Audio Visual Solutions, a full-service event technology company in Cleveland, Ohio. A graduate of Cleveland State University, Viicky holds degrees in General and Promotional Communications. In addition to her work at NPi, Viicky has spent the last six years dedicating her life to live broadcasting, multimedia storytelling, and community building, both online and offline. At NPi, Viicky’s passion for live events goes beyond the show, you can find her behind the scenes telling the stories of the industry professionals who help make the magic happen. When she isn't managing NPi’s various social media channels, you can find Viicky teaching herself ukulele, hanging out with her friends online or attending a music festival.

Cassandra Sotos is an entrepreneur, engineer, and internationally touring violinist. She is the co-owner and CEO of AmpRx, a Nashville-based company designing voltage optimization tools used by guitar players around the world to protect gear and achieve consistent tone. Cassandra was named the 2024 NAMM Female Entrepreneur of the Year for her leadership, innovation, and impact in the music products industry. With a background in Industrial Engineering and entrepreneurship, Cassandra blends technical rigor with creative vision, bridging the worlds of music, manufacturing, and education. She has toured globally as a performing artist, is a published author and keynote speaker, and actively mentors emerging musicians and founders. A passionate advocate for women in STEM and music, Cassandra serves in leadership roles within Women of NAMM and Women in Music Nashville. Through her work, she aims to inspire others to imagine what’s possible—and then build it.

Olivia Stefanoff is the Senior Project Manager at Music Columbus and a proud Ohio University alum. She leads initiatives including The Unheard and Earn as You Learn and curates the Columbus Release Radar, developing opportunities and highlights that strengthen the local music community. Outside of her work at Music Columbus, she is active across Columbus’s creative scene, serving on local music committees (including 934 Fest and Alley Islands) and volunteering with arts organizations. As a performing artist, her main project, Big Fat Head, has completed four DIY tours, including international dates, performed at the New Colossus Festival in New York City, and will be showcased at South by Southwest (SXSW) in Austin this year. She brings both industry insight and firsthand artist experience to her work, offering guidance and perspective to anyone navigating the music and creative world.

Clay Sullivan is an audio professional based in Cleveland, Ohio. As an Audio Production Manager at NPi Audio Visual Solutions, a full-service event technology company in Cleveland, Ohio, Clay has deployed large-scale sound systems and mixed shows for a large variety of artists. Notable recent projects include working with the Cleveland Orchestra on their concerts featuring John Legend, Laufey and Cynthia Erivo. Clay has also supported the Cleveland Browns in-game performances featuring Foreigner, Slaughter and Big Boi of Outkast. In 2025, he was the system tech for the Cleveland Browns Draft Event featuring Journey at Huntington Bank Field. In addition to his work with musical artists, Clay has been an audio lead for numerous corporate events. Recently, he was the audio systems designer for the IBEW Local 103 125th Anniversary event in Boston, Massachusetts, an event which featured multiple deployments of L-Acoustics speakers across several large convention halls for an audience of over 10,000. He has also logged many shows as Audio Lead on the Professional Bull Riders’ Pendleton Whisky Velocity Tour. Clay is a graduate of Kent State University (B.S., Digital Media Production, 2021). He resides in Bath Township, Ohio in an 1800’s farmhouse with his wife, Alyssa and their dogs.

Joshua Thompson, the Director of Production at NPi Audio Visual Solutions, a full-service event technology company in Cleveland, Ohio, is a seasoned AV production professional with 15 years of experience in the live events industry. What began as an early passion for computers and gaming evolved into a dedicated career, shaped through extensive hands-on training and years of real-world production experience. At NPi, Joshua oversees the execution of complex events with a focus on technical excellence, preparedness, and team leadership. Known for his calm, solution‑oriented approach, he believes that success in live event production comes from staying engaged in the moment and always anticipating the unexpected. Outside of work, Joshua enjoys strategy and civ building games and spending time with his almost 16-year-old wiener dog, Oscar.

Matt Tucker is a producer and engineer from Cleveland, Ohio. He has worked with the likes of Trek Manifest, Govan Jones, Wise from Ohio and many more. His sound blends sample forward hip hop with synthy trap and classic boom bap. A unique sound very tailored to his personal style.

Ted Van Hyning is a live event producer and designer based in Cleveland, Ohio. As Vice President of NPi Audio Visual Solutions, a full-service event technology company, Ted works with a diverse roster of clients across a variety of industries including concerts and festivals, corporate and experiential events. His client roster in the music world includes The Cleveland Orchestra, Live Nation, AEG as well as numerous local and regional festivals and events, such as Motor City Pride and Pride in the CLE. Other notable clients include Professional Bull Riders, the PGA, University Hospitals, Eaton Corporation, Kaulig Racing and Key Bank.

Ted is a proud alumnus of Ohio University (B.S., Telecommunications, 2000). He and his wife Jenny (also an OU alum) reside in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.  In his spare time, you can find him producing music in his home studio and taking care of his horses, cats and dogs. In addition to his work with NPi, Ted serves on the board of Stuart’s Opera House, the parent organization of the Nelsonville Music Festival.

Allison Wright Clark is a music executive, music supervisor, producer, licensing and music publishing expert, educator, and entrepreneur creating impactful musical experiences across all media. She’s a “walking” studio music department" collaborating notably with Oscar and Grammy winning talent with next gent studios and content creators worldwide.

Annie Zaleski is the New York Times best-selling author of 'Taylor Swift: The Stories Behind the Songs.' Her other books include a volume on Duran Duran’s 'Rio' in the prestigious 33 1/3 series; a song-by-song book on Beyoncé; and in-depth volumes on Cher, Lady Gaga, Pink, Harry Styles, and Christmas music. Her work has appeared in NPR Music, Variety, The Guardian, Classic Pop, and Record Collector, and she’s contributed liner notes to the 2016 reissue of R.E.M.’s Out of Time and albums by Game Theory, Jason Mraz and ZZ Top.

Girl Cologne is a queer alt/punk rock group from Cleveland, Ohio. True punks are never without cause, and for Girl Cologne, their purpose is to bring awareness and attention to these issues through the power and camaraderie of music. They are a four-piece band consisting of members Jenna Seeman (she/her; vocals/keyboard), Cade Cubbison (he/him; guitar), Parker Disalvo (he/him; drums), and Spence Kmiecik (they/them; bass).

Performing at the MIS Official After Party on Thursday, April 16 at The Union. Doors at 9:00 p.m. See schedule for details.

Hxnnah is a singer/songwriter whose music blends heartfelt storytelling with rich, layered harmonies that pull listeners in from the very first note. Her sound moves across indie pop, alternative, acoustic, and r&b, creating a style that feels both modern and timeless. Grounded in honesty and emotion, her songs explore themes like relationships, self discovery, and resilience. Each track feels personal yet universally relatable, with lyrics that read like journal entries set to melody, allowing listeners of all generations to see themselves in her stories. With a background in music production and songwriting, Hxnnah takes a hands on role in every step of the creative process. Recently signed to Ohio University’s student run record label, she is preparing to release a six song EP this April, marking an exciting new chapter and introducing her evolving artistry to a wider audience.

Participating and performing in the breakout session Music Recording and Mixing for Artists: Presented by Shure, on Thursday, April 16, at 4:45 p.m. in Baker Theater (2nd Floor). See schedule for details.

PARKiNG is an art rock/punk band from Louisville, Kentucky. 

Performing at the MIS Official After Party on Thursday, April 16 at The Union. Doors at 9:00 p.m. See schedule for details.

Space Kid is Garage Rock N Roll trio of long time best friends, originally forming in Columbus, Ohio, and quickly becoming a band known for their rowdy high energy live shows getting the crowd dancing and singing along, which perfectly matches their loud, catchy, fast, high strung sound. Having recently joined the Athens music scene and full swing into pack shows on top of experiencing a warm welcome from Brick City Records as well as local bands and venues. The power trio has carried themselves through life with the goal of creating something their proud of, surrounding themselves in a positive community, and always having a good time enjoying every step along the way

Space Kid will participate and perform in NPi Audio Visual Solutions' two-part breakout session on Wednesday, April 15. The first session begins at 11:55 a.m. and the second begins at 4:45 p.m. and will conclude with an evening concert, free and open to all, 6:00-6:30 p.m. in the Baker Theater (2nd Floor). See schedule for details.

Sydney Layne is a singer-songwriter hailing from Pleasantville, Ohio. An aspiring indie starlet taking inspiration from the artists in the posters on her bedroom walls, Sydney’s songs are a balance of candid storytelling and stripped instrumentation.

Sydney Layne will open the day on Wednesday, April 15 with an opening performance in the Baker Ballroom (4th floor) beginning at 9:10 a.m. See schedule for details.

Formed in a cramped roof apartment in Athens, OH, Twerp is a DIY band fusing subversive synth-punk and scrappy garage rock into their own strand of noisy new wave. The quartet formed from four pals writing songs about the anxieties of late adolescence; discomfort of all forms, confrontations, and bugs. Their sets are high-energy rampages that feature dancing, shouting, and (literal) bells and whistles.

Performing at the MIS Official After Party on Thursday, April 16 at The Union. Doors at 9:00 p.m. See schedule for details.

Voxglove is the musical project of 20-year-old pianist/multi-instrumentalist from the Cleveland area, Liam Speaks. Writing since childhood and self-producing since his early teens, Voxglove explores a wide range of musical textures and emotions through hazy, layered production, gripping hooks, and a homemade feel. Influenced by artists such as Elliott Smith, Cocteau Twins, Björk and Adrianne Lenker to name a few, he released his first EP on Halloween of 2024, currently working on an EP with Brick City Records.

Voxglove will open the day on Thursday, April 16 with an opening performance in the Baker Ballroom (4th floor) beginning at 9:20 a.m. See schedule for details.