Serona Elton

Speaker Bio:

Serona Elton has extensive experience as a music industry professional and educator. She is currently 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 Education Partnerships for The Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC). Previously, Serona 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, Serona has written numerous articles about the music industry and directed several industry conferences. She is recognized by many for her extensive insight into mechanical licensing, royalties, contract summarization and management, rights management, record company operations and music industry information management. She is also very active in music industry organizations and is currently the Immediate Past Chair of the Florida Bar, Entertainment, Arts, and Sport Law Section. Previously, Serona has served as President of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA), a member of the Recording Academy Board of Governors for the Florida Chapter, a Trustee of the Copyright Society of the USA, and Chair of the Florida Bar, Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section. Additionally, the Leadership Music alumnus has provided expert commentary for Billboard and CNN.com and has made multiple appearances on NPR’s Marketplace. Serona holds a B.S.B.A. in Finance from the University of Florida, an M.M. in Music Media and Industry from the University of Miami and a J.D. from Brooklyn Law School. She is a member of the New York Bar and Florida Bar. Serona resides in Miami, Florida.