Musicians Institute in Hollywood, CA

March 27-29, 2026

All Sessions

  • Guitarist/songwriter/producer, and musical director Neil Giraldo’s work has left a lasting imprint on rock and pop music. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Giraldo rose to prominence through his creative partnership with singer Pat Benatar. Beginning in the late 1970s, he co-wrote and produced a run of era-defining hits including “Heartbreaker,” “Hit Me with Your Best Shot,” “Love Is a Battlefield,” “Promises in the Dark,” and “We Belong.” His approach fused muscular, blues-based guitar riffs with sharp pop instincts, helping bridge hard rock and mainstream radio. Giraldo’s role extended far beyond guitar work. As producer and arranger, he helped shape Benatar’s dynamic sound, balancing intensity with emotional clarity. The duo married in 1982 and have remained both life partners and long-term collaborators, earning multiple Grammy Awards and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2022. Outside of his work with Benatar, Giraldo has released solo material, produced and written for other artists, and composed music for film and television.

  • In the age of algorithms and automation, what does it mean to protect the essence of Black creativity? This session traces how the history of cultural appropriation is now mirrored through digital platforms, machine learning, and AI-generated content. Grammy-winning producer and strategist Shalom “J. Storm” Miller presents a future-facing blueprint for cultural integrity, offering educators, creatives, and technologists a framework for sustaining Black influence in an increasingly synthetic world.

    Shalom "J.Storm" Miller is a Grammy-winning producer and mixing engineer with an impressive portfolio that includes work with Beyoncé, Missy Elliott, Gwen Stefani, and Destiny’s Child. His credits feature Grammy-nominated and RIAA-certified projects such as Dangerously In Love (6x Platinum), Destiny Fulfilled (3x Platinum), and Love. Angel. Music. Baby. (3x Platinum). Known for delivering industry-ready music with crossover appeal, his productions are recognized as competitive with the best in the business.

  • Whether behind the drum kit, or contributing as musical director or producer, Rashid Williams is a go-to talent currently touring and in the studio for today’s top artists. In this session, he’s interviewed live about what it takes to work with contemporary superstars and reach and maintain his place at the highest level of the business.  

     

    Drummer extraordinaire and musical director Rashid Williams is known for his ability to adapt to various musical styles while maintaining a consistent groove and impeccable timing. He’s worked with Jill Scott, Alicia Keys, and N.E.R.D. currently touring with John Legend. His approach to drumming emphasizes the importance of connecting with the audience and ensuring that the rhythm resonates with listeners. musical director. Beyond his touring and recording work Williams also produces with and plays for  Cirque du Soleil. Focused on education and mentorship, he routinely share knowledge and experience with aspiring musicians.  

  • The Immediate Family documentary chronicles the work of the iconic musicians who’ve played together for decades but never as their own band. Known for their long, illustrious careers backing Hall-of-Fame artists including James Taylor, Keith Richards, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Carole King, Stevie Nicks and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Danny 'Kootch' Kortchmar (Guitar/Vocal), Leland Sklar (Bass,) Russ Kunkel (Drums), Waddy Wachtel (Guitar/Vocal) and Steve Postell (Guitar/Vocal), tell the stories of the soundtrack of our lives.  

    In this screening with director Denny Tedesco, MusicPro ’26 attendees will hear about the band, its members, the making of this film, his Wrecking Crew movie and a new project yet to come.

  • Speed Dating for Songwriters® is a networking event structured like a speed-dating session where emerging songwriters, artists, and producers have the opportunity to share music, receive feedback, form new cowriting collaborations and much more. The program, which aims to foster community and create new creative partnerships among music creators, was initially developed by BMI in New York and has since spread to Nashville, Los Angeles and London. Veterans of this series include songwriters and artists such as FLETCHER, Loud Luxury, Morgan St. Jean, DAVIE, and CKay, among others. The event will culminate in a “listening party” session open to all attendees, where music written by participants will be discussed. 

    A global leader in music rights management, BMI serves as an advocate for the value of music, representing over 22.4 million musical works created and owned by more than 1.4 million songwriters, composers and music publishers.

  • MusicPro ’26 attendees who apply and are invited to participate in a Salt Lick Incubator song camp taking place in Musicians Institute recording studios, will collaborate with R&B artist Jordyn Simone during the conference on potential tracks for her forthcoming EP. Details will be supplied to all registered attendees! 

     

    Since her debut on The Voice in 2019, Jordyn Simone has blossomed into one of R&B’s most magnetic new voices. Her Remember When? (Deluxe) EP is now live, lifted by rising hits like “I DO” (940K+ streams), “Grey” (300K+), and “Don’t Wake Up” (300K+) streaming stats that speak for themselves. On Instagram, she’s grown to over 200K followers, while her TikTok presence is strong with ~250K followers and 5M likes. Jordyn’s effect extends far beyond metrics. She’s earned glowing features in Billboard, REVOLT, The Joe Budden Podcast, and Access Hollywood, and she recently delivered a goosebump-inducing rendition of the national anthem for the LA Clippers. Her music has thrived on editorial playlists across Spotify and Apple Music, even landing the cover of Spotify’s Fresh Finds R&B. 

    She's already cementing her stage presence, leading her own set at SXSW, with international shows and a national tour in the pipeline. On top of that, she’sshared the stage with luminaries like SiR, D Smoke, and Ravyn Lenae, while headlining key showcases like Live Nation Urban’s The Garden, Black History Showcase, Rhythm & Vibes, RnBrunch, and Hotel Cafe. 

     

    Salt Lick Incubator is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit artist development organization supporting aspiring musicians in the early stages of their creative journeys. The Incubator seeks to help these musicians develop artistically, sustain their well-being, and forge viable careers. While the artists they help remain responsible for their own success, Salt Lick Incubator offers motivated musicians critical support in key moments. 

  • Paul Reed Smith, founder and managing general partner of PRS Guitars, delivers "Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony" a masterclass designed to simplify music theory and performance for musicians of all skill levels. The presentation focuses on the three "gifts" of rhythm, melody and harmony, which make you a better musician by breaking down how they interact in real-world playing. , delivers "Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony" a masterclass designed to simplify music theory and performance for musicians of all skill levels. The presentation focuses on the three "gifts" of rhythm, melody and harmony, which make you a better musician by breaking down how they interact in real-world playing. 

    Paul Reed Smith, founder and managing general partner of PRS Guitars, delivers "Rhythm, Melody, and Harmony" a masterclass designed to simplify music theory and performance for musicians of all skill levels. The presentation focuses on the three "gifts" of rhythm, melody and harmony, which make you a better musician by breaking down how they interact in real-world playing. Paul Reed Smith is a luthier, professional musician, and the founder of PRS Guitars, a company renowned for producing high-quality, handcrafted guitars since 1985. The company has gained recognition for its innovative designs and exceptional craftsmanship. Smith's guitars are known for their stunning aesthetics, including intricate inlays and vibrant finishes, as well as their versatility and playability, catering to various musical genres. Over the years, PRS Guitars has collaborated with many celebrated artists, including Carlos Santana, John Mayer, and Mark Tremonti, which has further solidified the brand's reputation within the music community. Paul Reed Smith is also an accomplished guitar player and is best known for his performances with the PRS Eightlock band, playing stages on multiple continents. Beyond his craftsmanship, Paul is a passionate advocate for music education. He actively supports initiatives that promote and sustain music programs in schools. His influence extends far beyond guitar making, as he continues to shape, inspire, and support musicians around the world.

  • A double-session workshop with executive music publisher, artist mentor, author and champion of the writer and song Judy Stakee, is one part symposium, one part critique, and one part Q&A, in an educational experience for songwriters at all stages of their creative journey.


    Judy Stakee’s years of music industry experience includes elite curriculum and coaching. She’s achieved recognition for developing some of the biggest songwriters in modern history, including Sheryl Crow, Michelle Branch, Jewel, John Shanks, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Scott Cutler, and Julian Bunetta, Kevin Kadish, Joy Williams, and Franne Golde, among many others.

  • Anderton shines a spotlight on underutilized - and even unknown - techniques that will have a revolutionary impact on how you compose, mix, and master music.

    From 60’s teen rock star, to 70’s studio musician, 80’s record producer, European EDM gigs in the 2000’s, and ongoing collaborations with members of Public Enemy, Craig Anderton is an internationally recognized authority on music and technology. He has played on, produced, or mastered well over a hundred tracks for various artists, written over 50 books on the arts and technology, and lectured all over the world.

  • Keyboardist and singer/songwriter David Paich is best known as the co-founder, principal songwriter, keyboardist, and secondary vocalist of the rock band Toto. He wrote or co-wrote much of Toto's original material, including the band's three most popular songs: "Hold the Line", "Rosanna", and "Africa". Paich has contributed to 17 Toto albums which have sold over 40 million records. He and guitarist and singer Steve Lukather are the only members to appear on every studio album (Steve Porcaro contributed to every studio album as well but was not an official member of the band from 1987 to 2010). In addition, Paich has worked as a songwriter, session musician, and producer with a host of artists including Boz Scaggs, Cheryl Lynn, George Benson, Helen Reddy and Michael Jackson. 

  • Getting your music live is step one. The real pain is everything after that: registrations, forms, and mysterious dashboards that decide whether you get paid. Music producer/mixer F. Reid Shippen, composer and recording artist Chris McMurtry, and SongFarm Executive Director Rachel Bepko share their thoughts on the state of payment tracking and their new app, ONCE, an end-to-end rights registration program, “so that your recording and songwriting data can move where it needs to go.”

    F. Reid Shippen has produced and mixed 12 Grammy-winning albums and hundreds of Billboard #1s for artists, including Dierks Bentley, TobyMac, Backstreet Boys, the Jonas Brothers, Ingrid Michaelson, and Kenny Chesney, among others.

    ChrisMcMurtry is a composer and multi-platinum recording artist, with 26 albums and over 300 compositions to his credit.


    Once COO     Rachel Bepko is also CEO of TechSilo and serves as a Strategic Advisor to Give A Note foundation.

  • Hosted by newsletter creator/curator and music industry veteran Jay Gilbert, this special edition of the “Your Morning Coffee” podcast, live on stage at MusicPro ’26, will feature a special guest followed by an audience Q&A.

  • The advent of AI has rekindled the issues that surround sampling and content ownership, and in this session, attorney and professor Deborah Kidd explores contemporary themes and legal constructs and devotes a significant portion of her time to answering attendee questions about entertainment and media law.*

    Deborah R. Kidd, J.D., LL.M., and M.A., is an entertainment attorney and executive with over two decades of of direct involvement in the music, entertainment, and media industries. Kidd is an associate professor in the music business department at Berklee College of Music, teaching courses on the legal aspects of the music industry, copyrights, and contracts and negotiations. Her latest venture is Airhug Radio, a station devoted to the music of independent and emerging artists. She is also a veteran, having served in the United States Air Force JAG Corps.

    * This educational session provides general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship.

  • Recording Industry Association of America Chairman and CEO addresses the impact of AI on music in a unique presentation and Q&A that is now critical to the careers and interests of every recording and performing artist. 

    In his 25 years at RIAA, Glazier has played a vital role in the music industry’s transition to “anywhere anytime” access to music. Before joining RIAA, Glazier served as Chief IP and Special Counsel to the Judiciary Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives. In his career in and out of government, Glazier has worked on every major U.S. copyright bill considered in the past three decades from the Digital Performance Right in Sound Recordings Act of 1995 to the Music Modernization Act of 2018, laying the foundation for the modern music economy that has strengthened and remade the business for the 21st Century.

  • Crowdfunding is no longer just a way to raise money—it’s a powerful tool for building community, sustaining creative work, and deepening fan relationships. This session led by GoFundMe’s Trevor Cragg provides a practical, artist-centered framework for using crowdfunding to support recording projects, tours, marketing campaigns, and long-term career growth, and at the same time support the causes you truly care about. Participants will leave with a clear understanding of crowdfunding models, audience preparation, campaign design, and post-campaign sustainability.


    Trevor Cragg is a senior leader at GoFundMe, the world’s largest social fundraising platform, where he has helped shape how crowdfunding supports individuals, communities, and creators. With a background spanning digital marketing, brand strategy, and technology, Cragg has played a key role in expanding GoFundMe’s global reach and emphasizing trust, transparency, and impact. Cragg is widely recognized for helping position crowdfunding as a mainstream, human-centered tool for social good.

  • Artist management has evolved along with the industry. It had to. And whether you’re exploring a new management relationship or evaluating the one you’re in, the insights of professionals like Phil Guerini and Neal Spielberg will be invaluable. Here’s a conversation with two music industry veterans who’ve seen it all, and have sage advice for independent artists regardless of genre. 

    With an early background in radio and record labels, Phil Guerini spent 25+ years at the Walt Disney Company, responsible for overseeing the music strategy of the Disney Channels Worldwide networks and all aspects of programming, strategic direction, talent, label relationships, branding and the daily management for Radio Disney and Radio Disney Country businesses. After a stint as CEO of Jonas Group Entertainment, Guerini is an artist manager, entrepreneur, collaboration architect, team and brand builder, and content producer, still focused on artist development and celebrity talent. 

    Neal Spielberg is a veteran artist manager based in Nashville and president of Leadership Music, one of the nation’s top leadership programs designed for establishing leaders in the music industry. He spent his formative years in the music business as VP Sales for Warner Brothers Records Nashville, and WEA before establishing his management company, Spielberg Entertainment and Consulting.

  • Michael Palmisano is living proof that creating a multi-faceted music career is the best way to guarantee creative longevity and repeated chances at success in the music business. His path has taken him into the world of music education, and in his session he offers a scenario for harnessing technology and discusses how artists can integrate teaching into their careers.  

     Michael Palmisano, is a YouTuber and  founder of Guitargate.com.  An early adopter of online education, over the past 13 years Michael has built Guitargate into one of the largest guitar learning communities on the internet, with 200k+ students enrolled from over 185 countries to date.  He is perhaps best known for the YouTube channel bearing his name where he reviews live performances, with over 600k subscribers. Michael is committed to helping musicians learn, collaborate and connect in the digital age and Guitargate's recent launch of the Teleport allows players from around the world to form virtual bands, meet musical partners, and make music together. 

  • n this session, Silver Side’s Mike Locke moderates a panel of music supervisors, one specializing in TV/Film, one in trailers, and one in advertising, while he weighs in from the sync agency/label/publisher perspective. The session will give emerging artists a clear, realistic understanding of how sync works, what each vertical looks for, and how to prepare their music and career accordingly.  

    Mike Locke is Co-founder and President of Silver Side Productions. A seasoned leader in music licensing, Mike Locke began his journey at Warner Music Group, where he innovated a fresh business line for Rhino and ADA.  His leading music licensing boutique boasts recognizable vintage catalogues and represents top-tier contemporary artists and producers. Silver Side not only runs a successful label but also offers premier worldwide publishing services. Mike's tenures as the Vice President of Creative Synchronization & Marketing at Atlas Music Publishing, Big Machine Music and head of sync creative at Ingrooves Music Group further solidified his reputation. He’s secured high-profile placements across a plethora of media platforms, from major campaigns for iconic brands like Google, Apple, Starbucks and Budweiser, cinematic blockbusters as well as major studio film trailers and hit TV shows like "Grey’s Anatomy" and "American Idol".  

  • Fremantle, the British multinational TV production/distribution company famous for shows like American Idol, America’s Got Talent, and X Factor has been presenting opportunities for emerging artists for decades. In this MusicPro ’26 session, American Idol’s Senior Supervising Casting Producer Peter Cohen sits down for a conversation with artist manager Neal Spielberg about the state of today’s shows, their original protocols and prerequisites for artists, and their requirements today. 

    Senior Supervising Casting Producer Peter Cohen oversees the international talent search for world-class music talent for the groundbreaking Fremantle reality series American Idol (ABC). He served as Senior Talent Producer for the No.1 rated series America’s Got Talent (NBC) for nine seasons, Talent Producer for seven seasons of the Emmy-winning NBC series The Voice, as well as CBS’ Rockstar:INXS, Rockstar:Supernova, and The Road To Stardom with Missy Elliott on UPN. 

  • Through engaging tales from his career performing and recording with legendary artists including Ringo Starr and His All Starr Band, The David Lee Roth Band, Joe Satriani, Santana, Spinal Tap, Toto, Don Henley, and Ray Charles, Bissonette illustrates how combining musical passion with business savvy leads to lasting success in the industry." 

    Gregg Bissonette is an American rock drummer and vocalist. He is the brother of bassist Matt Bissonette, with whom he frequently collaborates. Bissonette is known for playing and recording many different styles of music. That experience led to him winning the 2023 Modern Drummer readers’ poll for best "All Around" drummer and also winning their 2015 category of best "Studio" drummer. He has played on albums by dozens of recording artists and has toured and performed on the biggest stages around the world.

  • The tools and tactics for promoting music have transformed dramatically in recent years, but the fundamentals of effective marketing remain constant. In this hands-on workshop, Hunter Scott, founder of TREND PR and college instructor for over 15 years, walks attendees through the essential skills every music professional needs in their arsenal today. From securing meaningful press coverage and building relationships with playlist curators, to creating social media content that actually cuts through the noise, participants will leave with a practical framework they can apply immediately.  

    Hunter Scott is the founder and president of TREND, a music publicity and marketing firm he launched in 2008. Now a 15-person team, TREND specializes in press outreach, Spotify playlisting, and social media management, working with independent artists, managers, and labels. Drawing on nearly 20 years of experience promoting artists ranging from Mitski and KARMIN to emerging independents, he shares what's working right now for artists and labels at every level, along with real-world case studies that illustrate the difference between campaigns that connect and those that get lost in the scroll. This isn't theory; you'll leave with real-world actions you can start doing that very day.

  • Shure presents emerging musician, songwriter and live-streamer Kira Lise in a session focused on empowering emerging artists and sharing actionable insights from Kira’s experience as an active TikTok artist with 6.3M likes and 685.7K followers. 

    Pivoting from her work as a barista, and a product of the Orange County music scene, Cal State Fullerton alum Kira Lise is on the rise in the world of music. A classically trained pianist, she sings and plays bass. Her debut EP, “Missing Piece,” was released last year, and her latest single “Linger” was recently released by indie label 3686 Records.  

  • Historically, the music business has always taken pride in its artistic instincts and its leaders having great ears. But increasingly, it’s data that is significantly influencing if not driving decisions on whether an artist gets signed, picked up by streaming curators and algorithms, played on the radio, is able to tour strategically, generates an active following and ultimately, becomes successful. This panel will feature music industry pros who know how to turn data into stories that artists and their teams can use to achieve success. 

    Jeff Green is an award-winning executive, writer, researcher, editor and analyst, co-forming the Stone Door Media Lab in September 2012. His longtime background includes executive posts at Country Aircheck, the Americana Music Association, Radio & Records, the Country Music Association, and Billboard’s former European trade pub Music & Media. A best-selling reference book author, Jeff currently publishes The Metrics of Music, a new, free, online college textbook that details the various types of media, tools of the trade and myriad ways creatives and industry pros use data, analytics and resources to study artistic performance and audience behavior to advance their priorities.

  • Landing exposure in blogs, consumer and trade press and through podcasts or broadcast opportunities can lift awareness of your career, but how does one get the ball rolling before the big bucks start rolling in. Los Angeles College of Music instructor Geoff Mayfield will lead a workshop that features two music publicists and a wealth of ideas on how creatives can get their stories in front of public and industry gatekeepers. 

    Veteran industry observer Geoff Mayfield has worked in various facets of the music industry throughout his entire career, including 23 years at Billboard, where he served as director of charts, providing analytic insights on music consumption while guiding the industry’s adoption of big data. He then provided both company and industry insights to Universal Music Group, its owned Land distributed labels and its partners as Vice President of Business Analysis and Market Research. Mayfield teaches classes in the Music Business program at Los Angeles College of Music and since 2020 also contributes stories about the record industry to Billboard and Variety.

  • Over 75% of even professional musicians struggle with stage fright—a challenge that often feels like an invisible barrier standing between you and your best performance. But you aren’t broken. You simply need a new way to relate to the pressure.


    Through his “Little School of Fish,” Dr. David Fish bridges the gap between rigorous academic training and the mental resilience required for the real world. His mission is to help you stay fully present to perform your best when the spotlight is brightest.

  • Caleb Chapman’s session on performance is outgrowth of his unique music performance training program featured at his Salt Lake City-area Soundhouse for young musicians. Educator, producer, author, executive, and saxophonist, Chapman is regarded as a visionary and leading voice in modern music education.


    Caleb Chapman’s bands have received over 85 “DownBeat” Awards, and as a musician he’s shared the stage with artists including Branford Marsalis, David Sanborn, Gordon Goodwin, Joe Lovano, Poncho Sanchez, Bob Mintzer, Randy Brecker, Nicholas Payton, Esperanza Spalding, Eric Marienthal, Dave Weckl, Ernie Watts, Peter Erskine, and Dave Samuels. His bands have performed and recorded with members of Maroon 5, Dave Matthews Band, The Killers, Journey, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Tower of Power, Steely Dan, AC/DC, the Rolling Stones, Neon Trees, and the Saturday Night Live Band, among others.

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