The Frost School of Music at the University of Miami has once again established itself as a top contender in music education by securing a place on Billboard’s Top Music Business Schools list for the 10th consecutive year. This notable school has been featured on this esteemed list every year since its inception by the renowned music industry publication.
“Now more than ever, it’s become increasingly challenging to navigate the music industry without a solid educational foundation, real-world experiences, and a strong network and community,” Serona Elton says, Professor and Director of the Music Industry Program at the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. “That’s why aspiring professionals seek out an education at the highly regarded Frost School of Music, where they can study with successful industry professionals, participate in student-run enterprises, join relevant student organizations, and earn a degree – right in the heart of Miami, one of the top music cities in the world.”
The recent recognition of the music school comes on the heels of an exciting update: students at the Frost School can now earn their well-respected Master’s of Arts in Music Industry in just 12 months, a significant reduction from the previous 21-month timeline. This change is part of the esteemed Music Industry Program, commonly known as “MIND.” The Frost School is thrilled to announce the addition of Olga Cardona as a new full-time lecturer. With over 30 years of experience in the Latin music industry, particularly in performing rights and music publishing, she enhances the wealth of knowledge and expertise among the faculty of the MIND program.
“The future of music is the future that our student musicians and aspiring industry professionals will be able to create for themselves,” Shelton (Shelly) G. Berg says, Dean of the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. “As a leader, we know what sets an elite music school apart from others, and it’s why we’re proud that Billboard magazine once again recognized the Frost School of Music as home to one of the top music business programs. For us, it’s further proof of how the Frost School is setting a new standard for music schools and greatly benefiting the next generation of musicians and music industry professionals.”
The Frost School enhanced its nearly 60-year-old music industry program by introducing a new version of its undergraduate MIND program, offering a Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry during the last school year. This updated program eliminates the requirement for students to audition for admission, making it accessible to those not focused on a performance career but enthusiastic about music and its business aspects. The response to this new offering has been overwhelming, leading to many freshman and transfer student applications.
Currently, over 80 undergraduate and 60 graduate students, including those in the fully online Master’s program, are studying for a degree in MIND. They benefit from learning alongside a distinguished faculty, many of whom come from prominent careers in the music industry at top organizations such as Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music, Warner Music Group, BMG, and The Mechanical Licensing Collective. Several faculty members remain actively engaged in the industry. Additionally, MIND students at the Frost School gain practical experience by participating in various student-run initiatives, including the music label Cane Records, the song promotion group Cat 5 Music and the live concert producer Frost Sounds.
