Overview: This masterclass will discuss various career paths in the music industry, as well as the importance of educating oneself to increase success. Tony will share his experiences and insight into entering a career in the music industry.

Tony Drootin is the manager of Montclair’s Sound on Sound Studios, a state-of-the-art and award-winning recording facility. He previously managed a number of top audio production facilities in New York City, including the prestigious Sony Music Studios. Throughout his 37 year career, he has worked with numerous Grammy-winning and top-selling artists, composers, engineers and producers. Tony also sits on the Board of Trustees for the nonprofit We Are All Music Foundation, as well as the Board of Advisors for the nonprofit Hip Hop Public Health organization.

Overview: BAFTA nominated and ASCAP award-winning composer Tom Salta is one of the most versatile and prolific music artists/producers working in film, television, advertising and video games.

Renowned for crafting emotionally engaging soundtracks for multimedia, Salta has received widespread industry acclaim for his world-class produced hybrid scores featured in film, television and video games such as Arkane Studios’ DEATHLOOP, Machine Games’ WOLFENSTEIN: Youngblood & Cyberpilot, Microsoft’s iconic HALO series (Best Original Soundtrack Award at Game Developers Conference), Ubisoft’s PRINCE OF PERSIA: The Forgotten Sands and RED STEEL (IGN Award for Best Original Score), Tom Clancy’s GHOST RECON and H.A.W.X series, as well as the epic theme music for the record-breaking online multiplayer game PLAYERUNKNOWN’s BATTLEGROUNDS, which has sold in excess of 70 million units with over 700 million players.

Overview: Christian Farrad is the CEO of CFM360 Consulting. Chris has served in operational roles at several record labels , such as COO at Pro Era Records in Brooklyn and as General Manager at Slip N Slide Records in Miami. Chris has been involved in all areas of record label operations, including contract negotiations, overseeing recording and marketing budgets, royalty statement preparation, and album release coordination with major label distribution partners, to generate multi-million dollar global sales.

Chris has served as Financial Business Manager, specializing in music and entertainment, at Wealth Management Associates LLC in New York City. He provided financial, accounting, and business management services for high-profile singers, rappers, songwriters, rock bands, music producers, managers, records labels, and executives. Chris began his career in corporate media finance as a Financial Analyst for The Cisneros Group in Miami, Florida, owners of media brands such as Univision, AOL Latin America, and Playboy Latin America.

Overview: Rosemarie Tully focuses her practice on entertainment-related matters involving music, independent film, original series production, and copyright, as well as corporate/business organization and operation. Her experience includes counseling Grammy Award recipients, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, award-winning independent Film Producers, published authors, and major league sports figures. Involved in bar associations and the community, Rosemarie is a past Chair of the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), a member of its CLE Committee, a member of New York Women in Film and Television, and a speaker at industry, business and community events. She is a Co-Editor of Siegel on Entertainment Law, a NYSBA publication, and has taught as an adjunct professor of Entertainment Law at Touro Law Center (Long Island, New York).

Overview: In this masterclass, industry veteran Clint Ward takes you through the “12 Reality Checks” of today’s music industry. Having spent over half a decade unraveling changes in the industry, Clint has created a solid version of the big picture. Never in the history of music has so much power been in the hands of the artists. This masterclass will help artists navigate today’s music industry and succeed in making a living from their art. “ROCK STAR MONEY IS RARE, BUT “ART MONEY” IS ATTAINABLE”

Overview: In this masterclass, Gagan Singh of SOCAN will be breaking down rights and royalties for songwriters, producers and composers. The world of music rights and royalties is often complex. In this seminar you'll get an overview of SOCAN and the role they play within the larger music industry and ecosystem. Music Rights Organizations represent a variety of rights including the performing and reproductions rights of music creators and publishers for the composition (music and lyrics), so if you're a songwriter, composer, or producer this seminar is for you. Learn the difference between performing and reproduction rights, how and when to join SOCAN, and how to receive the money you've rightfully earned for your hard work.

Overview: In this masterclass, Mary Luehrsen, Sr. Advisor for Public Policy at NAMM and Executive Director of the NAMM Foundation talks about exploring career pathways, mindsets and networks as music industry professionals.

Mary Luehrsen is Sr. Advisor for Public Policy for NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants and Executive Director of the NAMM Foundation. Luehrsen guides the organization as an international leader for music education and oversees policy and advocacy issues that impact global music product businesses. The NAMM Foundation focuses on supporting music research, and philanthropic and public service programs that advance music making opportunities for people of all ages and abilities. A former professional flutist and music teacher, Luehrsen acknowledges her inspiration to advocate for music education her first music teachers in rural Wisconsin and a belief that all children have the right to learn and grow with music.

Overview: This panel covers the role of music supervisors in sync licensing for screen, which includes video games, TV shows, commercials, movies, etc. The panel will also talk about the etiquette of approaching and working with music supervisors.

Savina Ciaramella has over 30 years of experience in the music industry from negotiations to artist development and music production. She joined the leadership team at Formosa Interactive/Group in 2016, where she currently serves as Sr. Director of Music Production/Executive Producer.

Amelia McCloskey is a Music Supervisor based in the UK and recently nominated by AIM SYNC for ''Music Supervisor Of The Year'' 2022.

Allison Wright Clark is a music executive, music supervisor, music licensing, music publishing and A&R expert, as well as a song and score producer.

Overview: Rosemarie Tully focuses her practice on entertainment-related matters involving music, independent film, original series production, and copyright, as well as corporate/business organization and operation. Her experience includes counseling Grammy Award recipients, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees, award-winning independent Film Producers, published authors, and major league sports figures. Involved in bar associations and the community, Rosemarie is a past Chair of the Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), a member of its CLE Committee, a member of New York Women in Film and Television, and a speaker at industry, business and community events. She is a Co-Editor of Siegel on Entertainment Law, a NYSBA publication, and has taught as an adjunct professor of Entertainment Law at Touro Law Center (Long Island, New York).

Overview: In a conversation with SOCAN’s Creative Exec Houtan Hodania, music producer Charles Jr. Ocansey, also known as FORTHENIGHT, will show the audience how he crafts a killer beat. Whether you’re an aspiring beat-maker, or an industry professional who wonders how beats are made, this session will pull back the curtain and show you why Canadian beat-makers are among the best in the world. Ever wonder where the ideas for beats come from? How to create a beat? What software you can use? What are the stages of growth of a beat? How do you use, or re-create, samples? And once you’ve a finished beat, how do you shop it? How do top-liners write over the beat? The “Cooking Beats” panel will answer these questions, and whatever else you want to ask about the art and craft of beat-making.

Overview: "IMSTA Song Reviews LIVE” is a monthly online event which provides music creators with the opportunity to submit their music and have it reviewed by our panel of music industry professionals. Participate by giving your own scores in the chat.

This is a great opportunity to learn and improve your own craft. In addition to this invaluable learning experience, viewers also have a chance to win prizes, which include music software and/or hardware products sponsored by IMSTA member companies.