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Billboard Magazine has once again named the Music Industry program (MIND) at the Frost School of Music to its prestigious annual list of the best programs of its kind.\u00a0<\/p>\n
MIND has been honored by Billboard<\/a>, the highly respected trade publication of the music industry, every time<\/a> they\u2019ve published the list since 2011. The program\u2019s two undergraduate degrees, for musicians and non-musicians<\/a>; three master\u2019s degrees, one on campus, one online, and one as a joint degree<\/a>with the University of Miami School of Law; faculty with extensive industry experience and connections; success in facilitating student internships<\/a> at major companies; and a speaker series<\/a> that exposes and connects students to top industry executives; are among the factors that have consistently made MIND one of the leading programs of its kind.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n One of the program\u2019s most valuable assets are its many successful alumni and their strong relationship to the Frost School. Professor Serona Elton<\/a>, director of the MIND program, says the power of those alumni was brought home to her as she researched graduates to nominate as Frost School Centennial Medalists, who were honored at the campus-wide celebration of the Frost School and the University of Miami\u2019s centennial last April<\/a>. Close to half the medalists ended up being from the MIND program.<\/p>\n \u201cI was so impressed and excited,\u201d said Elton, who is also serving as the Vice Dean of the Frost School this year. \u201cWe found so many outstanding alumni.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n At the April 8 celebration, a panel of MIND Centennial Medalists filled the stage of Newman Recital Hall with successful graduates working with record labels, publishing, live performance, and other areas. As an alumna herself, and the fourth director of MIND since its launch in 1966, Elton, M.M. \u201995, said she was filled with pride.<\/p>\n \u201cThe longevity of our MIND program, and the success of our alumni throughout the many decades, tells you all you need to know about us,\u201d Elton said. \u201cWhile providing current students with a best-in-class educational experience is top-of-mind for our faculty, how graduates turn that into a successful career is what matters most in the long run.\u201d<\/p>\n MIND\u2019s high-achieving alumni include Pablo Ahogado, VP of A&R at Concord Music Publishing; Courtney Karnes Sneed, Director of Licensing at Capitol CMG\/Universal Music Group, the world\u2019s largest major music company; Brian Oliver, Head of Legal and Business Affairs at major event producer Rolling Loud; Michael Todd, AVP of Film & TV Music and Visual Media at ASCAP, a leading collective rights management organization; Randall Foster, Chief Creative Officer at Symphonic Distribution; and Jessie Allen, Managing Director, GRAMMY U, the Recording Academy\u2019s membership organization.<\/p>\n That MIND alumni work in so many different areas demonstrates another of the program\u2019s strengths, which is to teach about the music industry as a whole. \u201cOver the span of a career, an experienced professional may change sectors,\u201d said Elton. \u201cIn our curriculum, we explore the entire music industry ecosystem and how each piece of the ecosystem operates and connects with the rest. We have found that this approach prepares students for careers beyond their first job.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/news.miami.edu\/frost\/_assets\/images\/images-stories\/2025\/10\/3-mind940x529.webp\")
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