Associate Professor and Chair, Music Media & Industry; Program Director, Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program
Rey Sanchez is associate professor and chair of the Music Media & Industry Program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, where he also serves as program director for the Bruce Hornsby Creative American Music Program. Rey Sanchez holds degrees in Composition and Studio Writing/Production from the University of Miami. Rey is a professional guitarist with an extensive list of credits and was the long-time musical director for Latin superstar Chayanne. He is a voting member of National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Rey Sanchez is actively involved in songwriting and record production, working with EMI Music Publishing, Sony BMG, Universal and others. He also authors educational guitar books for FJH Music Publishing.
Associate Professor and Program Director, Music Business and Entertainment Industries
Serona Elton is associate professor and program director of music business and entertainment industries in the Department of Music Media & Industry at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Elton holds a BS in Business Administration, Major in Finance from the University of Florida (1993), a MM in Music Media and Industry from the University of Miami (1995) and a JD from Brooklyn Law School (2000). She is a member of the New York Bar (2001) and Florida Bar (2002). Serona Elton has broad experience in the music industry. From 1995 to 2003 she worked for EMI Recorded Music, North America. She held a number of key positions and was promoted to vice president, mechanical licensing and repertoire data services, playing an integral role in the successful implementation of a custom designed artist royalty system, design and launch of a global repertoire and rights project, and development of new processes to support the digital distribution of recordings. Ms. Elton left EMI in 2003 and since joining the faculty of the Frost School of Music, has continued consulting for music industry clients such as Sony Music Entertainment. Along with program director Rey Sanchez, she helped design the curriculum for the University of Miami’s new Master’s in Music Business and Juris Doctor degree.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice and Program Director, Arts Presenting
Chris Palmer is assistant professor of professional practice and program director for Arts Presenting and Live Entertainment Management Program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Chris Palmer holds a B.B.A and an M.B.A. from Belmont University. He currently serves as the Managing Partner for the jazz/gospel a cappella group Take 6, overseeing their worldwide recording and touring affairs. Prior to his career in artist management, Chris worked with Warner Bros. Records for over 20 years. As Vice President of Progressive Mu-sic from 1990-2000, Chris was responsible for introducing and marketing artist such as Mark O’Connor, Bela Fleck and the Flecktones, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Jeff Foxworthy. Later, as General Manager and Sr. VP of Marketing, he would oversee releases such as “Breathe” by Faith Hill and introduce new artists such as Blake Shelton, Trick Pony and Big & Rich. Palmer was the Director of Music Business at Murray State University before coming to Miami.
Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, Music Business & Entertainment Industries
John Redmond is an assistant professor of professional practice in the Department of Music Business & Entertainment Industries at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. He is a 30-year veteran of the international music industry and has held executive positions in a number of multi-national music companies including: Vice President, Universal Music Publishing (Canada), Vice President, PolyGram Music Publishing (Canada) and Managing Director, Rondor Music (Canada). John Redmond has served on boards of Canadian music trade organizations and has excellent working relationships with ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, PRS, The Harry Fox Agency and virtually all of the major music publishers. He has been published in the music trades and is a frequent speaker at music trade organizations, universities and colleges. John Redmond is a former songwriter, recording artist and performer with numerous albums to his credit. Consequently, he has a great affinity with songwriters and artists. In 1994 he coupled that creative affinity with his skills, expertise and experience in the music business to form Publish This, Inc., a Miami-based company that specializes in music publishing, copyright management issues and royalty recovery.
Lecturer, Music Business
Louis Tertocha is the general counsel for the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and is also a lecturer in the Music Business and Entertainment Industries Program at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. In his role at the Arsht Center, Tertocha is responsible for legal advice and representation involving all matters pertaining to the Center including supervising the negotiation of contracts, procurement, claims resolution, advocacy support, regulatory affairs, and the full range of legal policies. Prior to joining the Arsht Center, Tertocha owned a private practice which provided transaction and litigation services to a diverse array of entertainment, corporate and insurance clients on a national basis. For the various entertainment entities which he has represented, Tertocha has provided legal representation concerning talent, performance, venue, licensing, recording, publishing, and motion picture transactions. Tertocha holds a juris doctorate from University of Detroit Law School and a bachelor’s degree in history from Oakland University. He is a former chair of the Florida Bar’s Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section, a member of the advisory committee to the Entertainment Law Initiative of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and on the Board of Directors of the Miami Music Authority.
