Music Industry Summit: OHIO students embrace Bobcat work ethic, experiential learning opportunities

Each year, the Ohio University Music Industry Summit transforms OHIO’s campus into a music industry hub. Artists, industry leaders and music lovers of all ages and backgrounds congregate for informative panels, compelling interviews, networking and learning opportunities, performances, and more all within the foothills of southeast Ohio.

The seventh consecutive Music Industry Summit (MIS) recently took place on March 25-27, 2025, with both in-person and virtual attendance options. The conference hosted several prominent artists and music industry professionals including three-time Grammy Award-winning hip-hop artist DJ Premier, rising country-folk artist Charles Wesley Godwin and renowned Kentucky-born singer-songwriter S.G. Goodman, who all participated in keynote conversations.

Conversations, mentoring roundtables and breakout sessions featured an impressive roster of esteemed industry professionals. Discussions and keynote presentations also incorporated an interactive audience “Q&A” where in-person and virtual attendees could ask speakers questions via the OHIO MIS app. Additional events included an Opening Night Party with a performance by DJ Premier, and live performances from J-Tolb, The Laughing Chimes and Jillian Kay. Godwin also held a special concert to close out the first day of programming.

Beyond the core programming that took place at Baker University Center, this year’s Summit included an expanded selection of community networking events as well, including a Republic of Athens Records in-store performance by Australian singer-songwriter Gordi, a networking happy hour and jam session at StewMac, and an After Party featuring a lineup of local artists at The Union hosted by OHIO’s Women in the Music Industry.

Of the more than 70 artists and speakers who participated in programming at the 2025 Music Industry Summit, a significant portion once called Ohio University home. These Bobcat alumni provided valuable advice, insight and tips to current OHIO students about working in the music industry and the world of media. While imparting valuable knowledge to the next generation of music industry professionals, many alumni also took a walk down memory lane and shared how their education at OHIO still helps shape their careers today.

Director and photographer Mia Barnes earned a degree in Commercial Photography from Ohio University in 2019 and moved to Los Angeles soon after. Barnes has since worked with some of the biggest names in music including Sabrina Carpenter, Ed Sheeran, Megan Thee Stallion, Drake, Bad Bunny and Chris Martin. During her conversation, Barnes provided an in-depth, behind the scenes look at music video production as well as tips for the audience telling students to differentiate themselves and use their uniqueness in their work.

Managing Editor of Stereogum Chris Deville graduated from Ohio University in 2006 with a degree in magazine and online journalism. DeVille participated in a breakout session interviewing fellow OHIO alumnus and Senior Staff Writer for The Ringer, Rob Harvilla, about his podcast and book.

“My time at Ohio University prepared me quite a bit. All the opportunities for hands-on experience were huge,” said DeVille. “I was in the Honors Tutorial College and I was able to put together an independent study of basically creating a website very much like the one I work for now. That was really cool, practical hands-on experience.”

Beyond his experience as a student in the Honors Tutorial College, DeVille touted OHIO’s Alumni Network.

“Being able to connect with other people in my field who had also gone to OU, that has definitely opened up work opportunities for me,” emphasized DeVille. “In my experience I’m always super eager to help out people from Ohio University, students who go to OU currently, people who have recently graduated. Just knowing someone is a Bobcat, my interest is instantly piqued.”

Booking and Management Coordinator at Panache Mads Murphy spoke highly of the experiential learning and post-graduation opportunities OHIO has to offer in the realm of Music Production and the Recording Industry. Murphy is a 2016 Ohio University graduate with a degree in Media Arts and Studies.

“I got exactly what I needed from going to go to school here,” said Murphy. “I feel like I can’t speak more highly of Josh [Antonuccio], he really does such a good job with the [Media Arts and Studies] department. I remember going to South by Southwest for two years and I got my first internship there.”

As for advice Murphy encouraged current students to be intentional with who they work for and embrace their “Midwestern work ethic,” as it could set them apart in a place like Los Angeles or New York.

“In general people in OHIO have a great work ethic,” Murphy said, “People are going to recognize that.”

Jon Zellner is the President of Programming Operations and Digital Music for iHeartMedia as well as a 1987 Ohio University graduate. Jon and his son Xander the Senior Charts and Data Analyst and Social Media Manager at Billboard (also an OHIO alumnus) both participated in the music industry summit this year and were happy to be back in Athens and see how the Summit has expanded.

“I think it’s great to come back as an alumni and see how this event has grown over the past five years it really started small but has turned into something really great and just celebrates the wonder of music and how it impacts people differently,” Jon said.

Jon participated in a mentoring roundtable session, in which he noted the variety of people attending the Summit this year. He also added that he was proud of his son who was a panelist in a conversation about how artists can cut through the noise and get discovered.

“I did a mentor session today which was awesome. There were two women who were graduating in the next couple years with degrees in journalism and they were great and there was a guy who was a musician who wants to get his music on the radio, so wide variety of people here which is terrific.”