Musikfest Music Industry and Education Conference Announced

ArtsQuest presents its first ever two-day music industry conference focused on the intersection of music education, popular music and business leadership.

Bethlehem, PA – February 26, 2024 – ArtsQuest is excited to announce its first ever two-day Music Industry and Education Conference, taking place on August 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Blast Furnace Room at the ArtsQuest Center located at 101 Founders Way in Bethlehem.

This two-day conference is tailored for music teachers, arts administrators and business professionals passionate about shaping the future of music education, industry and leadership. The event promises to be an immersive experience designed to inspire, educate and connect. For information on how to register, visit Musikfest.org.

To register for the conference, visit Musikfest.org. The full conference is $90, and the daily rate is $50. There is also a student price of $40 AND you can add a Musikfest mug and single general admission ticket to a Mainstage show for $20.

“The significance of this conference extends beyond its role as a gathering for professionals, students and enthusiasts,” commented Marissa Guarriello, Director of Music Programming. “By providing a space for discussions on programs, practices and issues in music business and education, the conference actively addresses the current needs and challenges facing these fields. The call for a wide range of proposal submission topics, with a focus on engagement and interactivity, ensures that the sessions will not only be informative but also enriching for the participants.”

Throughout the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to participate in interactive workshops, engage in Q&A sessions with industry experts and connect with like-minded individuals. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a transformative experience that will empower you both professionally and creatively.

Below is a list of confirmed conference presenters. A Call for Presenters is still open at Musikfest.org. or for more information, contact Marissa Guarriello at mguarriello@artsquest.org.

José Valentino Ruiz – Keynote Speaker:

Valentino Ruiz is an assistant professor at the School of Music and co-chair of Music Business and Entrepreneurship at the University of Florida’s College of Arts in Gainesville, FL. Dr. Ruiz is an expert in music and media along with television. He is also a four-time Latin Grammy award winner and three-time nominee.

Clint Randles & Members of the Holly Drive Collective:

Clint Randles is a professor of Music Education and Co-Director of Contemporary Commercial Music at the University of South Floridia School. Dr. Randles received the 2015 Michael L. Mark Music Research Award for outstanding research by an early researcher. The Holly Drive Collective, run by Dr. Randles, is an eclectic group of musicians who perform various types of original music.

Sarah Gulish:

Sarah Gulish is a presenter, researcher, writer, songwriter and recording artist from Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Gulish is the co-founder and CEO of F-flat which is a publishing company. She is also a grammy nominated music educator.

Kat Reinhert:

Kat Reinhert is a full-time professor of Songwriting at Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA, as well as Berklee NYC where she teaches song writing. Dr. Reinhert is also the co-founder of Songwriting for Music Educators.

Alain Baker:

Born and raised in South Africa, Alain Baker has an amazing career that involves arts organizations, communications/marketing and teaching/performance. Dr. Baker was appointed Director of Entrepreneurship and Career Development at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. He has performed throughout the country.

More information on these presenters can be found at Musikfest.org.  

This is an educational and immersive experience that music, art and business professionals do not want to miss.

About ArtsQuest  
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which over 50% are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.