MODERATOR

Barry Heyman
Entertainment Attorney; Program Coordinator MEIS
Heyman Law; Five Towns College

Barry Heyman is an attorney practicing music, entertainment, intellectual property (copyrights and trademarks), and new media law for over 20 years. Barry began his career in the entertainment industry in 1992 working in the copyright department at PolyGram Records, handling mechanical and sample licensing for its subsidiaries Def Jam and Mercury Records. He then became in-house counsel for Eagle Rock Entertainment (Eagle Vision, Spitfire Records, and Eagle Records).

In 2004, Barry founded Heyman Law where he is the principal attorney. Barry’s clients include creative talent ranging from songwriters, recording and performing artists, to musicians, actors, spokespersons, social media influencers, DJs, authors, and designers.  Other clients include entrepreneurs, startups, talent management companies, record and publishing companies, entertainment and media companies, events companies, and marketing and public relations firms.

Barry is widely regarded as a knowledge leader and regularly speaks on panels at music industry conferences.

In addition to his law practice, Barry has held several teaching positions at academic institutions, including serving as the inaugural Chairperson of the Music and Entertainment Business Program at the Institute of Audio Research (IAR), the world’s oldest audio engineering school. In his role at IAR, he launched the music business program and also taught a variety of music industry courses.  Over the course of his career, he has served as an adjunct professor, also teaching at New York University, The Hartt School of the University of Hartford, and is presently the Program Coordinator of the Music Entertainment Industry Studies (MEIS) program at Five Towns College.

James Faith
Owner; Producer
J Faith Presents; Great South Bay Music Festival

James Faith is the owner of J Faith Presents, a performing artist booking agency, and concert, festival, and events production co., located in Port Jefferson Village, NY.

He is the founder and producer of Long Island’s largest and longest-running music festival: the Great South Bay Music Festival, as well as co-owner of Island Artists Agency, a boutique booking agency and production company. Jim has been booking entertainment and producing shows, large and small, for over 40 years.  James is proud to be the co-founder of the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame and past two term Chairman.

Kasey Karlsen
Lead Vocals, Songwriter
Band: Deadlands 

Kasey Karlsen is the powerhouse frontwoman and creative voice of Deadlands, a boundary-pushing metalcore band known for its cinematic sound, emotional depth, and fearless energy. Combining haunting melody with explosive aggression, Kasey brings raw honesty to every lyric and performance—translating personal struggle, defiance, and vulnerability into something transcendent.

Based in Long Island, NY, Kasey formed Deadlands alongside CJ Arey (No Shade) with the vision of creating a sonic universe that challenges both the ear and the mind. The band released their first EP on their own in 2023 to glowing reviews. They were signed to Spinefarm Records / Universal in 2024 and in June 2025, released their label debut, SEVEN.. SEVEN. is a 7-song concept EP that dives into the seven deadly sins, weaving themes of guilt, pride, envy, and redemption into a brutal yet beautiful narrative.

Known for her commanding stage presence and emotionally charged performances, Kasey has become a standout voice in the modern heavy scene. Her delivery is more than performance; it’s release. Onstage, she commands every inch of space, connecting with audiences through sheer presence and unfiltered emotion. Kasey’s vocal range and emotional control are central to the band’s identity—moving effortlessly from visceral screams to ethereal melody. In addition to touring the US multiple times in their short career, Deadlands has also played some of the biggest rock festivals in the world including Louder Than Life, Aftershock and Blue Ridge Rock Festival.

Outside of Deadlands, Kasey also serves as the touring vocalist for Nita Strauss (Alice Cooper, Demi Lovato), performing to packed venues across North America. Her versatility, authenticity, and creative drive have positioned her as both a leader and innovator within the new wave of metal artists redefining what heavy music can express.

Fueled by catharsis and connection, Kasey Karlsen continues to carve out a distinct space in heavy music—where storytelling meets self-reclamation, and every scream means something.

Chris Panaghi
CEO
Amathus Music

Chris Panaghi is a CEO and entrepreneur who is deeply passionate about the music industry. One of the few forward-thinking music executives who saw the music business that we are in today. Creative and intuitive strategist, quickly reads situation, identifies issues and marshals resources to implement solutions. Superior communicator, negotiator, who is decisive and a recognized performer. A highly successful global music entrepreneur with extensive experience.

Michael Lau
Co‑Founder
COO, CCO, CTO
CollectivRights Management, LLC

Michael Lau is a seasoned music industry executive with a 35-year career spanning publishing, technology, and rights management. He is the Co-Founder, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Technology Officer of CollectivRights Management, and has served as National Chairperson and New York Chapter President of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) as well as a founding Operations Committee Member of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC). Michael has advised numerous music publishing and rights platforms, technology firms, and investors entering the music IP space, drawing on decades of experience bridging creative and operational disciplines.

Previously, helped co-found Round Hill Music in 2011, whereas COO and CTO he developed the company’s operational framework and helped grow it from a three-person startup into a global firm with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, and London. Before that, he worked with the catalogs of Ray Charles and Harry Warren, and held senior leadership roles at Warner Chappell Music, where he led the creation of the company’s first globally integrated synchronization pitching platform. A Berklee College of Music alumnus (B.M. in Music Business and Composition/Theory), Michael also designed and teaches an advanced senior-level course on Music Rights Administration and Royalties at Berklee.

MODERATOR

Lou Plaia
Artist Manager / Consultant / Artist Services Specialist; Adjunct Instructor
Hot Rats Entertainment, LLC; Five Towns College

Lou Plaia is a seasoned music industry professional, starting his career at Atlantic Records where he spent 12 years rising through the ranks to ultimately become the VP of Marketing & Strategic Planning. He then joined Atlantic imprint, Lava Records, as the Head of Marketing & Artist Development for 4 years. In these roles, he worked in some capacity with Kid Rock, Matchbox Twenty, Simple Plan,Trans-Siberian Orchestra, Stone Temple Pilots, Jewel, Hootie & the Blowfish, Lil Kim, O.A.R., Skindred, Nonpoint, Collective Soul, Tori Amos, George Carlin, and many others.

After leaving Lava Records in 2006, Plaia “disrupted” the industry and founded ReverbNation, a platform offering ALL artists distribution, publishing, promotional tools, and thousands of performance and media opportunities that were previously only available to artists signed to record labels. ReverbNation became the largest DIY Artist Services Platform in the world, with more than 5 million artists. In 2021, Plaia sold the company to BandLab.

In 2022, Plaia became the A&R Director for the award-winning global independent music publisher, Sentric, and signed artists like Ace Hood, the critically acclaimed songwriter/producer Vincent Gallo, and FiXT Records to name a few. He exited the company in early 2025.

While at Sentric, Plaia launched Hot Rats Entertainment, a boutique artist services company that ensures artists receive support so they can focus on making music and performing. Hot Rats provides expertise across business setup, distribution, publishing, release planning, tour planning, career assessment, and more. At Hot Rats, Plaia also manages the Spinefarm/Universal recording artist, Deadlands.

Plaia also serves as an Adjunct Professor at Five Towns College, teaching Artist Management. Throughout his career, Plaia has been a guest speaker at more than 100 music industry events.

Joshua Christie
Founder and Music Supervisor
Music Ronin

Joshua Christie stands as a vital conduit between authentic culture and global commerce. He is the founder of Music Ronin, a music supervision company built on the ‘Authenticity Advantage’—the principle that the most powerful brand stories are told with the most authentic sounds.

His unique approach is grounded in a Bachelor’s in Legal Studies from St. John’s University, giving him a formidable understanding of the complex licensing and contractual landscape that underpins the creative process. He began his career shaping the sound for a vast array of audiences, first as a music supervisor at television leader FremantleMedia, managing the high-volume needs of their diverse programming. He then took his talents to the interactive world, supervising the intricate sonic needs for video game giant Take-Two Interactive.

It was through these experiences that he identified a crucial gap in the market: the need for a supervision company that could operate with the agility of a boutique and the global expertise of a major, all while being deeply rooted in authentic culture. This led to the creation of Music Ronin, which has become a go-to sonic strategist for iconic brands including Uber, Merck, and Levi’s.

This mission now extends to the airwaves. Joshua is the co-host and producer of the upcoming podcast, alongside Apple Music’s Lowkey. The show, launching with a slate of legendary guests, will serve as a premier discovery platform dedicated to telling the stories of the next generation of Black and Latin artists, thereby solidifying Joshua’s role as a key tastemaker and industry thought leader.

Jamie Dominguez
National Director, Industry Relations
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)

Jamie Dominguez is the National Director of Industry Relations at The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), where she fosters partnerships with music creators, publishers, business managers, attorneys, and industry organizations. With over 25 years of experience in rights management, publishing, artist development, and music education, Jamie amplifies The MLC’s mission by leading outreach at key events and conferences and championing a fairer, more informed music ecosystem.

Jamie began her career in Austin, Texas, earning a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Texas. She moved to New York City to join SESAC, where she spent 19 years supporting and curating a diverse roster of songwriters as Senior Director of Creative Services. In 2020, she joined Sound Royalties as Regional Director, launching its New York presence and guiding creators toward financial empowerment.

A passionate educator, Jamie joined the Berklee NYC faculty in 2021 to teach in their Master of Arts program at the iconic Power Station. She currently serves her third term as a Governor of the Recording Academy’s New York Chapter, co-chairs its DEI task force, and is a DREAM Ambassador. Her lifelong commitment to equity, mentorship, and creator advocacy continues to shape a more inclusive and sustainable music industry.

Felix Vargas
Pink Clouds, Agency
Founder & CEO

Felix Vargas is a Bronx-born branding and creative director who builds meaningful experiences and brands. His career began in hospitality and events, later leading projects for clients such as Magic Johnson, Jennifer Lopez, Essence Magazine, Apollo Theater, HBO, Netflix, and Diageo.

He has held leadership roles at The Style Marc, Punto Space, and The City University of New York. Felix is the founder of Pink Clouds Agency, a music-driven artist and talent management company that also offers label and touring services for independent artists. The agency represents singer-songwriters, DJs, and influencers, securing brand partnerships and live opportunities with companies like Cazadores, Milagro, NYC Votes, and the New York Botanical Garden.

He also founded Branding Forward, a creative service for emerging brands, and co-founded Curated Vibes Group, an events agency supporting communities of color. His work has been featured in Hulu’s Fyre Fraud, and he continues to speak on branding, self-motivation, and building cultural impact through music and creativity.

MODERATOR

Elijah Johnson
Founder; CEO; Adjunct Instructor
The Too Alive Tour; TACTN Media; Five Towns College

Eli “ShotofADRENALIN” Johnson is an artist, professor, and entrepreneur bridging music, media, and impact. As the founder of The Too Alive Tour and CEO of TkACTN Media, he’s built platforms that empower young artists to own their voice and vision. When he’s not performing or producing, you can catch him teaching Music Marketing at Five Towns College, helping the next generation turn creativity into career power.

Jalen James Acosta
Founder & CEO; World Artists United
Music Entrepreneur; Visionary Architect of the Creator Economy

From sleeping on a park bench in Miami to advising royal families, Fortune 500 brands, and A-list superstars, Jalen James Acosta has built one of the most extraordinary journeys in modern music and media.

Born in Queens and raised between the Dominican Republic and Miami, Jalen’s rise began from nothing—no money, no connections, just relentless belief. One night, while living homeless, a stranger handed him a book that would change his life. That single act of kindness lit a fire that would shape his destiny. Within weeks, he went from sleeping under palm trees to performing before 21,000 people—hosting Microsoft’s global launch of Xbox and Windows XP.

From that moment on, Jalen turned every challenge into a chapter of transformation. As a multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and co-founder of a platinum-selling Latin fusion group, he helped redefine a generation of Latin music—fusing hip-hop and bachata into a global movement. His songs, vision, and collaborations transcended borders, breaking genres and building bridges between cultures.

Evolving from the studio to the boardroom, Jalen founded World Artists United (WAU)—a next-generation creative consultancy and artist agency connecting the world’s most influential brands, creators, and innovators. His work spans over 20 countries, advising everyone from emerging artists to royal families, global CEOs, and entertainment icons.

He is also the co-founder of the Music Entrepreneur Conference (MECon)—launched at Harvard University and later produced for the City of New York—uniting pioneers across music, business, and technology. In addition, Jalen serves as an instructor and contributor to Music Industry Essentials, the groundbreaking online program developed with NYU and Billboard to educate the next generation of creative entrepreneurs.

His visionary work and story have been featured in Forbes, Billboard, Business Insider, and more.

Yet beyond the accolades, Jalen’s mission remains deeply human: to inspire creators everywhere to “eat from their dreams.” His story isn’t just about success—it’s about resilience, purpose, and the unstoppable force of imagination.

On stage, Jalen doesn’t just tell his story—he brings audiences into it. His message is electric, cinematic, and unforgettable: you are the author of your own legend.

Laura Catana
Director, Content & Social Media Strategy
Symphonic Distribution

Laura Catana is a passionate advocate for independent artists and the democratization of the music industry. She co-founded one of Cuba’s first indie music labels, Guámpara Music, where she served as artists & label manager, marketing manager and creative producer. After spearheading Artist Relations at music startups Tigre Sounds and IndieFlow, she has found a home at Symphonic Distribution as a Director, Content and Social Media Strategy on the Corporate Marketing team where she manages a talented cross-cultural team of Social Media + Marketing Coordinators spanning the United States and Colombia, continuing her mission to empower musicians with the tools and resources they need to succeed. Always curious and forward-thinking, Laura remains dedicated to building a more inclusive and sustainable music industry.

Nasha Clark
Entrepreneur and Business Owner
Nasha Clark Inc.

A notable journalist, publicist and marketing specialist, Nasha Clark is committed to transforming and serving the entertainment, media, and professional sports industries. As a revered publicist, Nasha has worked alongside and represented former clients, the McClure Twins Family and current clients, Queen Naija, and Support Black Colleges. She spearheaded publicity and marketing for the IMPACT 17 Music, Art, Tech and Fashion Summit featuring DJ Khaled; co-chaired publicity for the Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N Out Tour Live; and has conceptualized marketing strategies for Roc Nation athlete and artist rosters. After dedicating several years in this role, Nasha is presently shifting focus and her efforts to mental health in the Black community. It’s with this new journey that Nasha will raise awareness and build a platform for the internal struggles many experience. Nasha obtained her B.A. in Journalism and Law from the University at Albany, and her M.A. from Hofstra University’s Graduate Journalism Program.

MODERATOR

Krysti O’Rourke
Director of Career Services
Five Towns College         

Dan Cooney
Royalties Coordinator
MNRK Music Group

Dan Cooney graduated from Five Towns College in 2023 with a B.B.A. in Music Business. He currently serves as a Royalties Coordinator at MNRK Music Group, and is also an independent recording artist in his own time!

Matt Harris
Director A&R
Founder and Head of A&R, Hideaway Music Group

Michael Houlihan
Personal Assistant
Fred Schneider (legendary frontman of The B-52s)

Michael Houlihan is the Personal Assistant to Fred Schneider, legendary frontman of The B-52s. He manages Fred’s day-to-day schedule, travel, and appearances, and assists with interviews, rehearsals, and social media content. Michael also provides full glam before shows, preps backstage essentials, and captures behind-the-scenes moments for fans. He occasionally joins the band on stage dressed as the Rock Lobster.