Fernandez selected as part of Leadership Music's Class of 2018
Kim Chaudoin | 615.966.6494 |
Lipscomb University’s Mike Fernandez, dean of the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts, has been selected as a member of Leadership Music’s Class of 2018.
Fernandez is one of 49 industry leaders from across the country selected for Leadership Music’s 29th class.
Founded in 1989 by twelve music industry alumni of Leadership Nashville, Leadership Music has graduated more than 1,100 leaders. The annual program is designed to create a forum for established music industry leaders to identify and explore issues currently affecting the music industry, to learn as they deep-dive into almost every segment of the music business, and to provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences while building lasting relationships with classmates and alumni.
“The Leadership Music Class of 2018 is an impressive group of industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from a diverse field of those that work within the music business,” said Mike Craft, senior vice president, finance for Big Machine Label Group.
Craft, as immediate past president of the board of directors, co-chaired the selection committee with Jeff Gregg, president of Leadership Music and an agent with Creative Artists Agency.
Fernandez said he looks forward to being a part of this prestigious program.
“I am humbled and honored to be a part of Leadership Music,” said Fernandez. “I look forward to learning as much as I can about the music industry and its impact on Nashville and the world. I am certain I will learn valuable lessons and make vital connections that can help the College of Entertainment & the Arts lead the Sound Emporium and our burgeoning school of music into an exciting new era.”
Leadership Music participants will attend an orientation session and alumni welcome reception in September and an opening retreat in October, followed by six day long sessions once a month, ending in May 2018 with graduation at a closing retreat.
In addition Fernandez, members of the Class of 2018 include:
- Al Andrews, founder/executive director, Porter’s Call
- David Angell, violinist, Nashville Recording Orchestra
- Dave Barnes, artist
- Amelia Wang Binder, vice president, National Music Publishers Association, (Washington, DC)
- Legina Chaudoin, principal, O’Neil Hagaman
- Kelly Clague, senior vice president, EM.Co
- Monica Coates, vice president, A&R, Motown Gospel
- Chris Cobb, co-owner/co-founder, JR Facility Management
- Tim Dadson, deputy general counsel, SoundExchange (Washington, DC)
- Kat Davis, CEO/president, The Brown Book Agency
- Chris DeStefano, songwriter/record producer
- Nic Dugger, owner, TNDV: Television LLC
- Darren Elrod, senior vice president, finance and operations, Provident Music Group
- Jason Fridenstine, business manager, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
- Rick Froio, executive vice president, Black River Records
- Phil Guerini, vice president, music strategy, Disney Channels Worldwide/GM, Radio Disney Network (Burbank, CA)
- Michael Guth, chief operating officer, Opry Entertainment Group
- Wayne Haun, president, Stowtown Records
- Tera Healy, East regional director, The Recording Academy (Park Ridge, IL)
- Carletta Higginson, corporate counsel, Global Music, Google, Inc. (New York, NY)
- Mallory Hines, managing director, entertainment and exhibits, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo (San Antonio, TX)
- Mason Hunter, executive director, events and strategic partnerships, BMI
- Kurt Johnson, senior vice president, Townsquare Media (Dallas, TX)
- Claude Kelly, songwriter/owner, Wierdo Workshop
- Brad Kennard, vice president, creative, Razor & Tie Music Publishing
- Kris Lamb, vice president, promotion, Big Machine Label Group
- Fletcher Lee, CEO, TourGigs, LLC (Knoxville, TN)
- Curtis LeGeyt, executive vice president, government relations, National Association of Broadcasters (Washington, DC)
- Jesse Mann, senior vice president, strategy and operations, AC Entertainment
- Chris Mara, owner, Welcome to 1979
- Michael McDonald, founder, Mick Management (Brooklyn, NY)
- Kevin Meads, agent, WME
- Lee Thomas Miller, songwriter
- Paul Oakley, vice president, communications, Bridgestone Americas, Inc.
- Thom Oliphant, vice president, development, Taillight TV/Co-Founder, My Country Nation
- Annie Ortmeier, senior director, streaming and digital marketing, Universal Music Group
- Tom Osborn, vice president, Marketing, New West Records
- Buster Phillips, agent, Creative Artists Agency
- Paul Schiminger, executive director, International Bluegrass Music Association
- Cass B. Scripps, vice president, APA
- Matt Signore, COO, Warner Music Nashville
- Trina Smith, owner, Me Gusta Music
- Elise Stawarz, vice president, marketing, Crowd Surf
- Shanna Strassberg, TV and live event talent booker/producer/media coach
- Jensen Sussman, president/owner, Sweet Talk Publicity
- Stephanie Taylor, attorney, Stites & Harbison
- Lauren Tingle, writer, CMT.com
- Kevin Wilson, senior vice president, business affairs, Country Music Association
This is the latest honor for Lipscomb University’s music program. Just last week, Lipscomb’s School of Music, housed in the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts, was named one of the top 25 music programs in the country. Last month, Lipscomb University was given the historic Sound Emporium, one of Nashville’s vibrant recording studios for nearly 50 years, to provide valuable experiences and resources for students in the School of Music. Lipscomb’s School of Music is directed by Grammy Award-winning record producer Charlie Peacock, founder of the school’s contemporary music program.
Lipscomb University’s George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts is the fastest growing college in the university, with undergraduate degrees in cinematic arts, fashion and design, contemporary and classical music, theater and dance, and visual arts. Graduate programs include Master of Arts degrees in film and creative media, Master of Fine Arts degrees in film and creative media with writer and director tracks and a Master of Fine Arts/Master of Business Administration blended degree. With training from artists-in-residence like Steve Taylor, Charlie Peacock and others, the CEA provides a real world experience where students are inspired to create what’s next for the marketplace. The mission of Lipscomb University's George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts is to be a Christ-centered, innovative, entrepreneurial arts community committed to rigorous artistic training, creative collaboration and professional growth that seeks to train the next generation of believer artists who seek to uplift, challenge and entertain culture through their art.
Want to know more about Lipscomb's George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts? Click here.