PANEL - Evolving Audio Economics

The future of music creation and monetization is being reshaped by innovators who blend artistry, technology, and business vision. This panel features Angela Blair (Adaptive Music), providing expert coaching for sustainable careers; Dot Bustelo (ex-Apple, Head of Partnerships, Beatoven.ai), pioneering a fully licensed AI music model with ongoing artist payouts; Heather Mundinger (Vocana), leading a streaming service with a user-centric payment model; and Elizabeth Strickler, an educator and technologist advancing XR and generative AI in learning and creativity. Together, they’ll explore how new tools, approaches, and leadership are transforming the evolving economics of audio.

Featured Speakers:

Angela Blair is a dynamic force in the Memphis music scene, recognized for her powerful voice, captivating stage presence, and influential leadership in the music business. A Memphis native, she discovered her passion for music in her church choir, later honing her skills at performing arts schools and earning a bachelor’s degree in Music Business in the Recording Industry from Middle Tennessee State University.

 As an independent artist, Angela has showcased her range and storytelling through her music, while also shaping the industry behind the scenes. She serves as Head of Administrative Services at Beatroot and Director at Adaptive Music, both part of Made in Memphis Entertainment (MIME). In these roles, she supports and empowers other independent artists, bridging the gap between creativity and business.

 Angela is an active member of the Recording Academy, Women in Music, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is deeply committed to building community, advancing opportunities for women in music, and championing independent artists from her Memphis base. 

Dot Bustelo - Head of Partnerships, Beatoven.ai

Dot Bustelo is Head of Partnerships at Beatoven.AI and formerly an Apple Logic Pro team member for a decade, later founding Loupe Art, a patented digital art and music streaming platform featured on 14 global TV networks and acquired by Stingray Group. She now leads initiatives across emerging AI-powered creative tech companies—including RC.Enterprises and Collimation.TV—shaping product strategy and market development. An Emmy-winning engineer and longtime electronic music producer, Dot has served on the Recording Academy’s P&E Advisory Council and is the author of the Amazon bestseller The Power of Logic Pro.

Heather Mundinger is the Head of Marketing at Vocana, with a career spanning marketing, partnerships, operations, and editorial at companies like SoundCloud, TikTok, and Venice Music. With an expertise in artist development, digital strategy, and music marketing, she has worked extensively at the intersection of technology and independent music. Heather is passionate about creating opportunities for independent artists and building platforms that empower the next generation of music creators.

Heather Mundinger - Head of Marketing, Vocana

Elizabeth Strickler - Director, Media Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Georgia State University

Elizabeth Strickler is a professor, innovator, and creative technologist. She directs Media Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Georgia State University, where she teaches and researches the intersections of AI, storytelling, and emerging media. She also leads workshops, keynotes, and consulting through her company, Xpand Studio, focusing on the future of creativity and technology.

Moderator:

An artist advocate, Bryan has spent 30+ years at the nexus of music, business, and technology. He provides digital strategy to media companies and A-list musicians. He's held key positions at and consulted labels, distributors, SoundExchange, and global streaming platforms. He created the Music Business Toolbox, a book and tools used by music business programs to empower musicians and executives with actionable business guidance.