Serona Elton University of Miami

Author Serona Elton has extensive experience as a music business professional and educator. She is a professor, Director of the Music Industry Program, and Associate Dean of Administration at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. She is also a Yamaha Master Educator and serves as Head of Educational Partnerships for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC). She began her career in the music business while earning a BS in Finance from the University of Florida, an MM in Music Media and Industry from the University of Miami, and a JD from Brooklyn Law School.

Previously, Elton worked for Warner Music Group, where she held the position of Vice President, Product Management, and EMI Recorded Music, North America, where she was Vice President, Mechanical Licensing and Repertoire Data Services. She has also provided consulting services to Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Zumba Fitness, and other music-related companies.

A respected expert, Elton has written extensively about the music business and directed several industry conferences. Additionally, the Leadership Music alumnus has provided expert commentary for Billboard and CNN.com and has made multiple appearances on NPR’s Marketplace.

Elton is active in numerous music industry organizations and has served as President of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA), Chair of the Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law section, a member of the Recording Academy Board of Governors for the Florida Chapter, and a Trustee of the Copyright Society of the USA.