Building Skills for Music Industry Careers Beyond Performance
Clinic Synopsis:
Industry leaders from Yamaha, Sweetwater, and Music Will explore academic and professional pathways to non-performance careers in music. Aligned with the NAMM Foundation’s Careers in Music initiative, this panel highlights how educators can guide students to study music while developing essential industry skills. Panelists will share insights from manufacturing, retail/eCommerce, and nonprofit sectors, demonstrating the diverse career opportunities available in the music industry.
John Mlynczak
- Biographical Information
John Mlynczak has an extensive range of experiences in the music industry, music education, technology and leadership. John currently serves as the President and CEO of NAMM. Prior to NAMM, John served as Vice President of Music Education & Technology at Hal Leonard, where he oversaw worldwide education market strategy, managed Noteflight, Essential Elements Interactive, and Essential Elements Music Class, and collaborated on all music education technology related initiatives for Hal Leonard. Previously, he was Managing Director of Noteflight and he is the immediate Past-President of the Technology Institute of Music Educators (TI:ME). Mr. Mlynczak has taught online graduate courses at VanderCook College, served as Advocacy Chair of the Massachusetts Music Educator's Association, served on the NAMM SupportMusic Coalition, and on the NAfME Advocacy Leadership Force. He is a Google Level 2 Certified Educator and a frequent clinician on education technology and music advocacy.Before his career at Hal Leonard, John served as Director of Education for PreSonus Audio, where he developed curriculum, products, and marketing strategies for music education technology. As an educator Mr. Mlynczak taught general music, band, choir, marching band, and music technology. He started the first music technology course in Louisiana and wrote the state curriculum for an official approved course. From 2011- 2013 John served as Chairman of the Creative Arts Assessment Committee in Louisiana and provided model assessment for the creative arts. John has enjoyed a long career of performing as a solo artist and in symphony orchestras, pit orchestras, and top 40 bands. John Mlynczak earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, and Masters degrees in both Music Performance and Education Leadership from Louisiana State University.
Heather Mansell - Biographical Information
Heather Mansell is the Manager, Segment Marketing, Education at Yamaha Corporation of America. With over 25 years in the music industry, Heather has developed expertise in retail, product management, and marketing. Beginning her career at Shar Music and progressing through roles at Yamaha Canada and Yamaha Corporation of America, Heather has been an influential figure in music education. She has championed significant initiatives like the award-winning '40 Under 40' in Education, which celebrates pioneering early-career music educators, in a campaign reaching over eighty million readers. An advocate for arts education, Heather actively promotes the importance of music in schools and communities, supporting policies and partnerships that expand student participation. Recognized for her leadership by receiving the inaugural ‘Women of NAMM’ professional development scholarship in 2020, Heather continues to drive change and works to engage the next generation of music leaders. She brings her comprehensive experience and passion for advocacy to her new role as a board member and Vice President of the Guitar & Accessories Marketing Association (GAMA), focusing on expanding guitar education and programs.
Bryan Powell - Biographical Information
Dr. Bryan Powell is Associate Professor of Music Education and Music Technology, and a Coordinator for the Recording Arts and Production degree at Montclair State University. Bryan teaches classes in popular music, modern band, and music technology, and directs the Montclair State popular music ensemble. Bryan is also the Chief Program Officer for Music Will and former Director of Programs for Amp Up NYC, a partnership between Berklee College of Music and Little Kids Rock. A former NYC public school music teacher, Bryan is the founding co-editor of the Journal of Popular Music Education, co-author of Popular Music Pedagogies: A Practical Guide for Music Teachers (Routledge), series co-editor for Contemporary Music Making and Learning (Intellect Books), and editor of The Modern Band Handbook (OUP). Bryan was the director of the 2022 NAfME All-National Honor Ensemble for Modern Band, and director of the 2023 NAfME All-Eastern Division Honor Ensemble for Modern Band. He serves as the Executive Director of the Association for Popular Music Education and is the Chair for the International Society for Music Education’s Popular Music Education Special Research Interest Group.
Jennifer Witt - Biographical Information
Jennifer Witt is the Senior Marketing Manager,
Institutional Sales at Sweetwater, one of the nation's largest music technology and instrument retailers. In her role, she develops strategic initiatives to expand Sweetwater’s presence in the band and orchestra category, fostering relationships with music educators, students, and industry professionals. She plays a key role in partnerships, such as Sweetwater’s collaboration with Music for All and Bands of America, aimed at strengthening music education programs nationwide. Over the course of her thirty-year career in marketing, media relations, and nonprofit leadership, Jennifer has developed marketing campaigns and strategy for a broad range of industries, including foodservice, office furniture, public and transportation seating, as well as arts outreach organizations and places of worship. Before transitioning fully into music industry marketing, Jennifer also had an extensive background in music education. Until 2023, she served as an Adjunct Professor of Flute at Mount Saint Mary’s University and worked as a Flute Instructor and Marching Band Clinician at Penn Harris Madison Schools. Her hands-on experience in the classroom gives her a unique perspective in her marketing work, allowing her to authentically connect with music educators and students. Jennifer’s contributions to both music education and marketing have been recognized throughout her career. She has received numerous accolades for her dedication to the arts and her innovative approach to marketing within the music industry. Her passion for music and education continues to drive her work at Sweetwater, where she is committed to ensuring that musicians and educators have the resources they need to inspire the next generation of performers.
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