Breakout Sessions
Breakout Sessions
Interactive Breakout Sessions with Industry Leaders
An incredible lineup of exclusive breakout sessions will be offered Wednesday, April 15, and Thursday, April 16. These sessions will give attendees expert insights and hands-on experience in a variety of topics from songwriting and artist tools to soldering and cable making, and much more!
Breakout sessions are space limited and the capacity for each is listed with the descriptions below. First come, first served. Attendees may attend ONE breakout session per day as they run concurrently.
Please note: These sessions will not be available via livestream.
Wednesday, April 15, 4:45-6:00 p.m.
Below are the breakout sessions to be held on Wednesday, April 15, as well as their location and capacity. To learn more about the breakout session facilitators, please visit the Artists and Speakers page. All breakout sessions take place on the 2nd Floor of Baker University Center in various rooms.
Part 2: Building the Event, Presented by NPi Audio Visual Solutions
Location: Baker Theater (2nd Floor)
Attendee Capacity: 200
What does it actually take to bring a live performance to life? Go behind the scenes of live event production in this hands-on session led by the team at NPi Audio Solutions. This is the second of a two-part series (part one is earlier in the day at 11:55 a.m. in Baker Theater) focusing on the soundcheck and real-time set-up with Brick City Records artist Spacekid as the featured performer. The session culminates in a full live performance in Baker Theater from 6:00–6:30pm with Spacekid, giving you the rare experience of watching a show come together and then seeing—and hearing—the results firsthand. For anyone serious about a career in live entertainment production, this one is not to be missed.
Facilitated by NPi Staff: Gary Heinrich, Director of Audio; Viicky Shepherd, Marketing Specialist; Clay Sullivan, Audio Production Manager; Joshua Thompson, Director of Production; and Ted Van Hyning, Vice President
Featured Band: Spacekid
Get details on Part One of this breakout session happening earlier in the day. Learn More
The Beat Lab: Inside Hip Hop Production
Location: Baker Center 230
Attendee Capacity: 28
Few people are better positioned to teach the art of beat making than Dr. J. Rawls—a Columbus-raised producer whose credits include the landmark 1998 Black Star album featuring Mos Def and Talib Kweli. Rawls went on to collaborate with artists including the Beastie Boys, Slum Village, Aloe Blacc, and 9th Wonder, while pioneering the jazz-hop sound that helped define an era of independent hip hop. He continues to collaborate with Talib Kweli and now serves as Assistant Professor of Hip Hop at The Ohio State University. In this interactive session, Rawls takes attendees inside the creative process of hip hop production, exploring sampling techniques, sequencing, sonic layering, and song structure in a hands-on format designed for aspiring producers and curious music industry professionals alike.
Download a sample to work with during this session
Facilitated by: J. Rawls
Developing Creatives, Presented by CoMuse
Location: Baker Center 233
Attendee Capacity: 20
Success in the music industry isn't just about talent or strategy—it's about knowing who you are and building a career that reflects it. In this transformative session, executive coach and CoMuse founder LJ Antonuccio (PCC) draws on nearly three decades of industry experience to help attendees align their core values with their work, build authentic connections, and foster the kinds of collaborations that lead to lasting impact. Combining coaching insight with engaging storytelling, this is a session designed not just to inform, but to shift how you think about your career and your creative identity.
Facilitated by: LJ Antonuccio, CoFounder & CEO of CoMuse, and Jennifer Sellers, Events & Partnership Director at CoMuse and Conference Event Director at NIVA
Building with Dolby Atmos, Presented by Dolby and Focusrite*
Location: Baker Center 217
Attendee Capacity: 20
In this hands-on session, John Scanlon of the Dolby Institute and John Merchant of Focusrite Group Professional walk attendees through the creative and commercial landscape of spatial audio in Dolby Atmos: how it's made, what it demands from producers and engineers, and what it means for the music business at every level—from streaming economics to studio investment to artist opportunity. Expect live demonstration, real-world workflow insights, and a frank conversation about where Atmos is heading and how to position yourself within it. NOTE: This session is offered again on Thursday, April 16.
Facilitated by: John Merchant, Director of Partner Development at Focusrite Group Professional, and John Scanlon, Senior Manager Global Education Programs - Dolby Creator Lab - Dolby Laboratories
*This session will go until 6:15 p.m.
Soldering and Cable Making Workshop, Presented by AmpRx and StewMac
Location: Baker Center 229
Attendee Capacity: 12
Learn the essential skill of soldering, discuss careers in the music product side of the music industry, and meet the people who make it happen. You'll get hands-on experience learning how to solder. You'll make your own 1/4" instrument cable to take home. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone in the industry to explore new skills and learn from leading people in the industry. NOTE: This session is offered again on Thursday, April 16.
Facilitated by AmpRx Staff: Zane Agnew, Production Specialist; Belinda Ligotino, Operations Manager; and Cassandra Sotos, CEO & Co-Owner
Understanding Music Licensing–The Essentials
Location: Baker Center 239
Attendee Capacity: 24
Understanding how licensing works is a foundational skillset for music makers. In this essential session, Rachel Lafranconi of Kobalt Music draws on her expertise in sync licensing to illuminate the business of music licensing and how those deals translate into real revenue for songwriters and artists. This session will explore the process of licensing publishing and master rights for uses like film and TV syncs and how these fit into the landscape of revenue for artists and writers. Whether you're just starting out or realizing you've been leaving money on the table, this session offers clear, practical insight into one of the most important sides of the music business.
Facilitated by: Rachel Lafranconi, Senior Director Creative Synch & Licensing at Kobalt Music
Featured Songwriter Session: Jake Ewald in conversation with Chris Messina
Location: Baker Center 240/242
Attendee Capacity: 80
Best known as the co-founder of Modern Baseball and the driving force behind Slaughter Beach, Dog, Jake Ewald has built a devoted following through writing that is emotionally precise, quietly funny, and deeply human. In this featured conversation, Ewald sits down with Grammy-nominated producer Chris Messina for an intimate discussion about the craft and life behind the songs, punctuated by a few acoustic performances that bring the conversation off the page and into the room.
Music Journalism in the Age of Everything
Location: Baker Center 231
Attendee Capacity: 48
Print publications have shuttered, streaming has reshaped how music is discovered and contextualized, and social media has blurred the line between criticism, promotion, and conversation. So what does it mean to write about music right now, and why does it still matter? Marcus J. Moore, Annie Zaleski, and Chris DeVille—three of the most respected voices in contemporary music writing—dig into the craft and the industry behind it: how stories get made, what criticism can and can't do, how the rise of algorithmic listening has changed what writers cover, and where the next generation of music journalists will find their footing.
Facilitated by: Chris DeVille, Managing Editor of Stereogum; Marcus J. Moore, Author and Music Journalist for The New York Times; and Annie Zaleski, New York Times Best-Selling Author and Music Journalist
Curation Over Automation: The New Frontier of Music Streaming, Presented by Qobuz
Location: Baker Center 237
Attendee Capacity: 20
In an era of algorithmic playlists and AI-generated recommendations, Qobuz has built its identity around something increasingly rare: human beings who actually listen to music and write about it. In this session, Dan Mackta, Managing Director of Qobuz for North America and Northern Europe, makes the case for why artist discovery through genuine curation still matters, and what it means for artists trying to break through in a streaming landscape dominated by automation. A two-time Billboard Global Power Player, Mackta draws on a career spanning VP roles at RCA Records and Jive Records before leading one of the industry's most editorially-driven streaming platforms. This session explores how Qobuz approaches discovery differently, what that means for the artists in their catalog, and why the human element in music recommendation may be more valuable as AI reshapes the industry.
Facilitated by: Dan Mackta, Managing Director of Qobuz
Independent Artists: How to Navigate the Landscape of Distribution, Presented by DistroKid
Location: Baker Center 235
Attendee Capacity: 20
Independent artists today have more distribution options than ever before—but using them strategically is what separates hobbyists from career artists. Hosted by Mike Fink, Senior Director of Creative Services at DistroKid, this session breaks down the tools, platforms, and strategies that help artists reach global audiences while retaining ownership and maximizing royalties. Whether you're releasing your first single or scaling an established catalog, you'll leave with a practical roadmap for building a sustainable, distribution-savvy career on your own terms.
Facilitated by: Mike Fink, Senior Director of DistroKid
Thursday, April 16, 4:55-6:10 p.m.
Below are the breakout sessions to be held on Thursday, April 16, as well as their location and capacity. To learn more about the breakout session facilitators, please visit the Artists and Speakers page. All breakout sessions take place on the 2nd Floor of Baker University Center in various rooms.
Music Recording and Mixing for Artists, Presented by Shure
Location: Baker Theater (2nd Floor)
Attendee Capacity: 200
Shure's Yuri Lysoivanov works live with featured artist Hxnnah of Brick City Records and her band to demonstrate the core techniques that translate across any recording environment. From mic placement and signal flow to tracking decisions and mix considerations, attendees will see professional principles applied in real time to a real performance. Whether you're recording in a commercial studio, a home setup, or somewhere in between, this session offers practical, immediately applicable insight into how great-sounding recordings actually get made.
Facilitated By: Yuri Lysoivanov, Senior Market Development Specialist at Shure
Featured Artist: Hxnnah
Building with Dolby Atmos, Presented by Dolby and Focusrite*
Location: Baker Center 217
Attendee Capacity: 20
In this hands-on session, John Scanlon of the Dolby Institute and John Merchant of Focusrite Group Professional walk attendees through the creative and commercial landscape of spatial audio in Dolby Atmos: how it's made, what it demands from producers and engineers, and what it means for the music business at every level—from streaming economics to studio investment to artist opportunity. Expect live demonstration, real-world workflow insights, and a frank conversation about where Atmos is heading and how to position yourself within it. NOTE: This session is also offered on Wednesday, April 15.
Facilitated by: John Merchant, Director of Partner Development at Focusrite Group Professional, and John Scanlon, Senior Manager Global Education Programs - Dolby Creator Lab - Dolby Laboratories
*This session will go until 6:20 p.m.
A&R Listening Session, Presented by BMI
Location: Baker Center 230
Attendee Capacity: 28
This is the session where the feedback is real. Timothy Pattison of BMI leads a panel of working A&R and industry executives—Brandon Haas of Believe Music and Talia Kraines of Spotify—through a live review of demos submitted by conference attendees. What gets their attention? What loses it? What separates a song that's almost there from one that's ready? You'll hear honest, professional reactions to real music submissions from people whose job is to find the next thing worth paying attention to. Whether your demo submission get selected or not, this session offers a rare and unfiltered look at how industry ears actually listen.
Facilitated by: Timothy Pattison, Sr. Director of Creative, BMI; Brandon Haas, Executive Director, A&R / Business Development – North America, Believe Music Publishing; and Talia Kraines, Editorial Lead, Pop - Spotify
How to Keep Moving: Strategies for Sustainable Career Growth + Leadership, Presented by Women in Music (WIM)
Location: Baker Center 239
Attendee Capacity: 24
Join Kari Nakamura (WIM) and Ash M. Sheehan (Recording Academy/GRAMMYs) as they examine what it takes to design a sustainable career around your skills, ambitions, and energy. Learn how to identify your strengths – from neurodivergence to your network – and how to leverage them toward your goals. The music industry is built to change; join the discussion to explore how centering yourself can anchor you in transitions and propel you toward your next chapter.
Facilitated by: Kari Nakamura, Global Chair of Partnerships, Women in Music, and Ash M. Sheehan, Sr. Director of National Member Engagement, Recording Academy/GRAMMYs
Soldering and Cable Making Workshop, Presented by AmpRx and StewMac
Location: Baker Center 229
Attendee Capacity: 12
Learn the essential skill of soldering, discuss careers in the music product side of the music industry, and meet the people who make it happen. You'll get hands-on experience learning how to solder. You'll make your own 1/4" instrument cable to take home. This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone in the industry to explore new skills and learn from leading people in the industry. NOTE: This session is also offered on Wednesday, April 15.
Facilitated by AmpRx Staff: Zane Agnew, Production Specialist; Belinda Ligotino, Operations Manager; and Cassandra Sotos, CEO & Co-Owner
Resilient Stages: Sustaining Ohio’s Independent Live Music Ecosystem, Presented by CoMuse
Location: Baker Center 240/242
Attendee Capacity: 80
Behind every great show is a venue that decided to open its doors, take a risk, and build something lasting. Ohio's independent venue community is one of the most vital—and most underappreciated—parts of the music industry ecosystem, and the women running it are among its most tenacious leaders. In this conversation, five operators and artists who have built, sustained, and fought for live music spaces across the state discuss what it actually takes to keep independent venues alive: the booking decisions, the financial realities, the community relationships, the pandemic survival stories, and what the future looks like for small and mid-sized rooms in an era of consolidation. This is a candid look at the lifeblood of live music in Ohio and why it matters to every artist, fan, and industry professional in the room.
Featuring: Cindy Barber, Co-Owner, Beachland Ballroom & Tavern; Kathy Blackman, Owner, Grog Shop and B Side Lounge; Natalie Jackson, Co-Owner, Natalie's Grandview; Libby Ballengee, Venus Child Productions / The Brightside | Theresa May, Mourning [A] BLKStar. Moderated by Jennifer Sellers, CoMuse
The Startup Stage–Music, Tech, and Entrepreneurship, Presented by Rapchat
Location: Baker Center 237
Attendee Capacity: 20
What does it take to build a music tech company from a college dorm room to a platform used by 15 million artists and producers? Ohio University alum Seth Miller founded Rapchat in 2013 with a simple idea: put a recording studio in everyone's pocket. Miller sits down with Matt Tucker, one of Rapchat's top producers who also produces for Columbus artist Trek Manifest, for a conversation about building at the intersection of music and technology — the similarities in the journey as a founder and a producer, the partnerships and product decisions that shaped Rapchat, and what the next generation of music-making tools looks like for independent artists.
Facilitated by: Seth Miller, CEO of Rapchat, and Matt Tucker, Producer/Engineer
The Marketing Playbook, Presented by FanMail
Location: Baker Center 235
Attendee Capacity: 20
Josiah Kaiser, President of FanMail Marketing, and William Bitunjac, VP of Ecommerce at Warner Music Group, share the strategies that actually work in music marketing today: how to build and own your audience, what direct-to-fan strategies separate artists who break through from those who get lost in the noise, and how data and technology are reshaping the relationship between artists and the people who love their music. Drawing on campaigns for some of the biggest names across Warner, Universal, and Sony, this is a practical, honest conversation about the tools and mindset it takes to build sustainability and engagement.
Facilitated by: Josiah Kaiser, President & CTO, FanMail Marketing, and William Bitunjac, Vice President Ecommerce, Warner Music Group
Now and Next: Where is the Music Industry Going in 2026?
Location: Baker Center 233
Attendee Capacity: 20
In this forward-looking session, Jay Gilbert, co-creator of the widely read "Your Morning Coffee" music industry newsletter and podcast, takes stock of where the business stands right now and where it's headed: the streaming trends reshaping artist economics, the impact of AI on creation and distribution, what's happening to the middle class of music, how the live business is evolving, and what emerging artists need to understand about the landscape they're entering. Equal parts industry analysis and candid conversation, this session offers the kind of clear-eyed perspective that Gilbert has become known for delivering to thousands of music industry professionals every week.
Facilitated by: Jay Gilbert, Music Industry Executive, Consultant, and Co-Creator of Y"our Morning Coffee" Newsletter & Podcast
The Story of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts
Location: Baker Center 231
Attendee Capacity: 48
It started with a missed show, a crowded venue, and a simple idea: what if the performance came to you instead? Since Bob Boilen launched NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts in 2008, the series has become one of the most beloved and influential music programs in the world—a democratic, intimate stage where artists from Adele and Lizzo to Anderson .Paak and Carly Rae Jepsen have delivered some of the most memorable performances of their careers. In this special session, Boilen tells the story of how Tiny Desk was born, how it grew, and what it revealed about the power of stripping music down to its essence. Experience the story of the acclaimed series through the performances that meant the most to Bob through his tenure as creator and host.
Facilitated by: Bob Boilen, Creator of NPR's Tiny Desk Concerts and All Songs Considered
Your AI Toolkit: Practical Tools and Skills for Your Music Industry Career
Location: Baker Center 226
Attendee Capacity: 16
AI tools are here, and those who master them will maintain an edge in their careers. In this session, Brian Muehlenkamp, a product manager at Ticketmaster, will show you how to use them. From building a stronger resume to putting together a real portfolio or website, you'll see practical demos you can go try yourself. You'll also get a foundation in the basics: how to prompt well, how to give these tools the right context, and how to set them up to handle tasks on repeat. No technical background needed, just a willingness to learn something that will keep you competitive and competent in today's fast-paced industry.
Facilitated by: Brian Muehlenkamp, Product Manager - Onsale & Demand Intelligence, Ticketmaster