These are the incredible music industry professionals who are confirmed as mentors for the 2026 conference. We are still adding mentors, check back here for more!
In alphabetical order.....
Jennie Armon - Music Supervisor
Jennie Armon, Co-Founder and Music Supervisor at Zoo Collective, thrives at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and sound. She brings a rare blend of business acumen and creative instinct to her work, placing the right music into ads, film, and branded content, while also consulting her peers on business strategy and creative partnerships.
Her career spans leading music production houses, and today, as the co-founder of Zoo Collective, she’s dedicated to creating standout original compositions, remixes, and collaborations with top-tier composers and artists. Jennie has helped bring music and sound to life for campaigns with the Olympics, Apple, Nike, Google, BMW, L’Oréal, M&Ms, and more. Her work has contributed to major industry recognition, including awards from AMP, D&AD, Cannes Lions, and the Clio Award for Best Music Supervision. Her music supervision film credits include Blue Christmas, Lucia Before & After, Deporting Myself, Fainting Spells, Jay Myself, and I’ll Be Right There (starring Edie Falco), along with countless commercials she has secured music for.
In addition to co-running Zoo Collective, Jennie is also a lecturer at the University of Colorado, where she teaches a course on Women in Music and next semester - The Brand & Business of Billie Eilish, mentoring the next generation of music leaders. Beyond her day-to-day work, Jennie is an active force in the broader music and advertising community. She recruits for both agency and production roles, serves on the Association of Music Producers’ Social Impact and Culture Committee, is an active member of Women in Music, and is a voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs). She also dedicates time to philanthropic work with various nonprofit organizations.
Current projects include branded advertisement projects for Lexus, Olive Garden, Apple, Oak Street Health, DirecTV, NFL Partnership, Nordstrom, Trolli, Progressive, Adobe MLB, and Hilton.
Jennie Armon, Co-Founder and Music Supervisor at Zoo Collective, thrives at the intersection of creativity, strategy, and sound. She brings a rare blend of business acumen and creative instinct to her work, placing the right music into ads, film, and branded content, while also consulting her peers on business strategy and creative partnerships.
Her career spans leading music production houses, and today, as the co-founder of Zoo Collective, she’s dedicated to creating standout original compositions, remixes, and collaborations with top-tier composers and artists. Jennie has helped bring music and sound to life for campaigns with the Olympics, Apple, Nike, Google, BMW, L’Oréal, M&Ms, and more. Her work has contributed to major industry recognition, including awards from AMP, D&AD, Cannes Lions, and the Clio Award for Best Music Supervision. Her music supervision film credits include Blue Christmas, Lucia Before & After, Deporting Myself, Fainting Spells, Jay Myself, and I’ll Be Right There (starring Edie Falco), along with countless commercials she has secured music for.
In addition to co-running Zoo Collective, Jennie is also a lecturer at the University of Colorado, where she teaches a course on Women in Music and next semester - The Brand & Business of Billie Eilish, mentoring the next generation of music leaders. Beyond her day-to-day work, Jennie is an active force in the broader music and advertising community. She recruits for both agency and production roles, serves on the Association of Music Producers’ Social Impact and Culture Committee, is an active member of Women in Music, and is a voting member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs). She also dedicates time to philanthropic work with various nonprofit organizations.
Current projects include branded advertisement projects for Lexus, Olive Garden, Apple, Oak Street Health, DirecTV, NFL Partnership, Nordstrom, Trolli, Progressive, Adobe MLB, and Hilton.
Charles Brotman - Songwriter, Producer
Former President of Hawai'i Songwriting Festival, composer, Grammy award winning producer, and multiple Na Hoku award nominee and winner. He owns and runs the Lava Tracks Recording Studio and is a co-founder of Palm Records on the Big Island, where he has produced Grammy nominated albums for local artists Sonny Lim and Kahulanui. His music placements in film and TV include Black-ish, NCIS, Chicago Med, The Path, Good Morning America, Portlandia, Hawaii 5-0, Dateline, Days of Our Lives, Magnum PI, The Descendants, Two and a Half Men, NBC Nightly News, Brooklyn 99, FIFA World Cup, Anderson Cooper, Beverly Hills 90210, Criminal Minds, All About Steve, The Deadliest Catch, Oprah, Nickelodeon, Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, America's Most Wanted, Animal Adventures, Prime Suspect, and many others.
Former President of Hawai'i Songwriting Festival, composer, Grammy award winning producer, and multiple Na Hoku award nominee and winner. He owns and runs the Lava Tracks Recording Studio and is a co-founder of Palm Records on the Big Island, where he has produced Grammy nominated albums for local artists Sonny Lim and Kahulanui. His music placements in film and TV include Black-ish, NCIS, Chicago Med, The Path, Good Morning America, Portlandia, Hawaii 5-0, Dateline, Days of Our Lives, Magnum PI, The Descendants, Two and a Half Men, NBC Nightly News, Brooklyn 99, FIFA World Cup, Anderson Cooper, Beverly Hills 90210, Criminal Minds, All About Steve, The Deadliest Catch, Oprah, Nickelodeon, Saturday Night Live, The Today Show, America's Most Wanted, Animal Adventures, Prime Suspect, and many others.
Julia Brotman - Attorney
In addition to serving as the President of the Hawai'i Songwriting Festival, Julia is a principal at Settle Meyer Law, a boutique law firm where she practices entertainment and intellectual property law. She serves an eclectic clientele of music creators, actors, artists, writers, and businesses, including some of the biggest names in the industry, aspiring entrepreneurs and novice creatives who are just getting started, and everyone in between. Her practice includes: litigation; government affairs; business formation and management; contract drafting and negotiation (including a wide variety of entertainment and music related contracts); and endless protection, enforcement, and licensing matters involving copyright, trademark, patents, trade secrets, and rights of publicity. Before returning to Hawai'i to work at Settle Meyer Law in 2017, Julia spent four years in Los Angeles learning how to navigate the entertainment industry. Past work experience includes Warner/Chappell, CBS Television Network, Marmoset, NBCUniversal, and Sony/RED. She graduated from Whittier Law School summa cum laude and is licensed to practice law in Hawai’i and California.
In addition to serving as the President of the Hawai'i Songwriting Festival, Julia is a principal at Settle Meyer Law, a boutique law firm where she practices entertainment and intellectual property law. She serves an eclectic clientele of music creators, actors, artists, writers, and businesses, including some of the biggest names in the industry, aspiring entrepreneurs and novice creatives who are just getting started, and everyone in between. Her practice includes: litigation; government affairs; business formation and management; contract drafting and negotiation (including a wide variety of entertainment and music related contracts); and endless protection, enforcement, and licensing matters involving copyright, trademark, patents, trade secrets, and rights of publicity. Before returning to Hawai'i to work at Settle Meyer Law in 2017, Julia spent four years in Los Angeles learning how to navigate the entertainment industry. Past work experience includes Warner/Chappell, CBS Television Network, Marmoset, NBCUniversal, and Sony/RED. She graduated from Whittier Law School summa cum laude and is licensed to practice law in Hawai’i and California.
Bailey Bryan - Songwriter/Artist
Genre-bending artist and songwriter Bailey Bryan has become a primary force behind some of today’s most culturally resonant releases. Operating seamlessly across genres, Bryan’s sharp commercial instincts and sophisticated pen have made her a highly sought-after collaborator for major-label projects and rising stars alike.
Most notably, Bryan co-wrote the standout track “My Fault (feat. Noah Cyrus)” for Shaboozey, contributing to the historic global success of his multi-platinum, Billboard #1 album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going. The single commanded top real estate across global New Music Friday playlists and has amassed well over 60 million streams on Spotify. Her versatile catalog also features “Baby Blue” for Cody Simpson, a string of cuts for Kiana Ledé’s Cut Ties (including “Space and Pussy” & “Natural”), and collaborative work with Jay Sean and Jason Derulo.
Bryan’s prowess as a writer is fueled by her own distinct journey as a solo artist. She first commanded industry attention with her 2021 breakthrough project Fresh Start (driven by the viral success of tracks like “play w/ me” and “MF” ft. 24kGoldn) before establishing her signature "Sensitive Bad Bitch" ethos on her acclaimed 2023 collection, Vol. 1. Continuously evolving her sound, Bryan's 2025 solo singles “best kept secret” and “nobody’s mad” showcase a distinct shift toward a stripped-back, singer-songwriter lane. Blending acoustic and folk-inspired textures with her signature razor-sharp lyricism and infectious mainstream hooks, Bryan remains at the vanguard of modern songwriting.
Genre-bending artist and songwriter Bailey Bryan has become a primary force behind some of today’s most culturally resonant releases. Operating seamlessly across genres, Bryan’s sharp commercial instincts and sophisticated pen have made her a highly sought-after collaborator for major-label projects and rising stars alike.
Most notably, Bryan co-wrote the standout track “My Fault (feat. Noah Cyrus)” for Shaboozey, contributing to the historic global success of his multi-platinum, Billboard #1 album Where I’ve Been, Isn’t Where I’m Going. The single commanded top real estate across global New Music Friday playlists and has amassed well over 60 million streams on Spotify. Her versatile catalog also features “Baby Blue” for Cody Simpson, a string of cuts for Kiana Ledé’s Cut Ties (including “Space and Pussy” & “Natural”), and collaborative work with Jay Sean and Jason Derulo.
Bryan’s prowess as a writer is fueled by her own distinct journey as a solo artist. She first commanded industry attention with her 2021 breakthrough project Fresh Start (driven by the viral success of tracks like “play w/ me” and “MF” ft. 24kGoldn) before establishing her signature "Sensitive Bad Bitch" ethos on her acclaimed 2023 collection, Vol. 1. Continuously evolving her sound, Bryan's 2025 solo singles “best kept secret” and “nobody’s mad” showcase a distinct shift toward a stripped-back, singer-songwriter lane. Blending acoustic and folk-inspired textures with her signature razor-sharp lyricism and infectious mainstream hooks, Bryan remains at the vanguard of modern songwriting.
Kristian Bush - Artist, Songwriter, Producer
Kristian Bush is country music’s renaissance man — a shape-shifting creator who thrives on the genre’s fringes while staying true to its creative heartbeat. His recent run as a producer has surged with artists including Megan Moroney, Lanie Gardner, K. Michelle, and Runaway June, earning him multiple Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music nominations this season. The commercial popularity of the songs he produces routinely lands him in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Country Producers chart — often at No. 1. Through his work with Moroney, he has also produced artists including Brooks & Dunn, Ed Sheeran, Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, and Kacey Musgraves — projects that reflect his expanding creative reach. It’s one more lane where he stretches norms, embraces creative freedom, and refuses to quit.
Bush has founded two wildly successful duos in different genres — Sugarland and Billy Pilgrim — launched a solo career, formed the improvisational rock band Dark Water, and explored lo-fi chill music through Cabin Chill. His songwriting also remains in constant demand. A multi-platinum, two-time Grammy winner, he is best known as one-half of Sugarland with Jennifer Nettles. In 2024, he celebrated Sugarland’s 20th anniversary with a co- headlining arena tour with Little Big Town — while also marking 34 years with Billy Pilgrim, which made its Grand Ole Opry debut that same year. In 2026, Sugarland will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their seminal album Enjoy the Ride. Sugarland earned accolades from the Recording Academy, the CMA, and the ACM for hits including “Stay,” “Baby Girl,” “Stuck Like Glue,” and “Life in a Northern Town.”
Billy Pilgrim — Bush and Andrew Hyra — began in 1990, released five albums in 11 years, and gained lasting traction with “Sweet Louisiana Sound” and “Insomniac,” which
resurfaced decades later in The New York Times. In 2024, they recommitted to their trademark harmonies and folk-rock storytelling. That same exploratory spirit drives Dark Water, Bush’s collaboration with brother Brandon Bush and guitarist Benji Shanks. Formed in 2020, the group released One Step Ahead of the Robot in fall 2025. In addition, the trio records as Cabin Chill, steadily releasing lo-fi tracks throughout the year. They’re also the sonic backbone of Moroney’s albums, with Bush producing while Brandon and Benji serve as her studio band. As he has with every Moroney album, Bush produced her 2026 collection, Cloud 9, which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. The album generated a breathtaking 76.3 million streams in its first week, pushing Moroney’s entire catalog to over 100 million weekly streams. The project further underscores a Bush’s creative ecosystem that has led to an ever- expanding list of high-profile studio collaborations.
In 2026, Bush will take his music overseas twice, touring the U.K. on two separate runs. Two decades in, Bush is still experimenting — or, as he puts it, “finding joy in the
challenge of an ever-expanding creative space.”
Kristian Bush is country music’s renaissance man — a shape-shifting creator who thrives on the genre’s fringes while staying true to its creative heartbeat. His recent run as a producer has surged with artists including Megan Moroney, Lanie Gardner, K. Michelle, and Runaway June, earning him multiple Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music nominations this season. The commercial popularity of the songs he produces routinely lands him in the Top 5 on Billboard’s Country Producers chart — often at No. 1. Through his work with Moroney, he has also produced artists including Brooks & Dunn, Ed Sheeran, Kenny Chesney, Jamey Johnson, and Kacey Musgraves — projects that reflect his expanding creative reach. It’s one more lane where he stretches norms, embraces creative freedom, and refuses to quit.
Bush has founded two wildly successful duos in different genres — Sugarland and Billy Pilgrim — launched a solo career, formed the improvisational rock band Dark Water, and explored lo-fi chill music through Cabin Chill. His songwriting also remains in constant demand. A multi-platinum, two-time Grammy winner, he is best known as one-half of Sugarland with Jennifer Nettles. In 2024, he celebrated Sugarland’s 20th anniversary with a co- headlining arena tour with Little Big Town — while also marking 34 years with Billy Pilgrim, which made its Grand Ole Opry debut that same year. In 2026, Sugarland will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their seminal album Enjoy the Ride. Sugarland earned accolades from the Recording Academy, the CMA, and the ACM for hits including “Stay,” “Baby Girl,” “Stuck Like Glue,” and “Life in a Northern Town.”
Billy Pilgrim — Bush and Andrew Hyra — began in 1990, released five albums in 11 years, and gained lasting traction with “Sweet Louisiana Sound” and “Insomniac,” which
resurfaced decades later in The New York Times. In 2024, they recommitted to their trademark harmonies and folk-rock storytelling. That same exploratory spirit drives Dark Water, Bush’s collaboration with brother Brandon Bush and guitarist Benji Shanks. Formed in 2020, the group released One Step Ahead of the Robot in fall 2025. In addition, the trio records as Cabin Chill, steadily releasing lo-fi tracks throughout the year. They’re also the sonic backbone of Moroney’s albums, with Bush producing while Brandon and Benji serve as her studio band. As he has with every Moroney album, Bush produced her 2026 collection, Cloud 9, which debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard 200. The album generated a breathtaking 76.3 million streams in its first week, pushing Moroney’s entire catalog to over 100 million weekly streams. The project further underscores a Bush’s creative ecosystem that has led to an ever- expanding list of high-profile studio collaborations.
In 2026, Bush will take his music overseas twice, touring the U.K. on two separate runs. Two decades in, Bush is still experimenting — or, as he puts it, “finding joy in the
challenge of an ever-expanding creative space.”
John Cruz - Artist, Songwriter
A long-time member of the HSF Board of Directors and Advisory Council, John performed on Hawai'i's first Grammy award winning album, and has also won multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. John has distinguished himself as one of the most talented artists that has ever come from Hawaii. He was named the Best Singer Songwriter by Hawaii Magazine in 2008.
A long-time member of the HSF Board of Directors and Advisory Council, John performed on Hawai'i's first Grammy award winning album, and has also won multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano awards. John has distinguished himself as one of the most talented artists that has ever come from Hawaii. He was named the Best Singer Songwriter by Hawaii Magazine in 2008.
Wendy Day - Indie Artist Consultant
Wendy Day is one of the most respected and influential advocates in the music industry. She founded Rap Coalition in 1992 to level the playing field for artists—fighting against exploitation and helping those with little to no leverage gain power and control over their careers. Over the past 33 years, Wendy has negotiated some of the most artist-friendly deals in history and has been instrumental in creating many music industry millionaires. Her work has helped shaped the careers of Eminem, Tupac, Master P, Twista, Cash Money Records, David Banner, Do Or Die, Fiend, Boosie, Webbie, Trouble, Foolio, C-Murder, LaRussell, Flawless, and many more—with her clients collectively selling over a billion units.
Wendy’s mission has always been clear: empower artists with knowledge, strategy, and independence. Through her consulting, her how-to books, and artist-first business models, she’s helped hundreds of artists build their own successful labels and careers. Today, Wendy is launching an educational platform and an artist incubator designed to teach artists how to monetize their music, build their brands, and succeed on their own terms. She also hosts two weekly podcasts and has a reality TV show in development with Lifetime. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Wendy has spoken at Harvard, Stanford, NYU, Georgia Tech, Berklee, University of South Carolina Law School, and other leading institutions. Based in Atlanta, Wendy continues to be a fearless voice for truth, fairness, and artist empowerment in the music business. Follow her on Instagram: @RapCoalition and YouTube: YouTube.com/@ThisIsWendyDay
Wendy Day is one of the most respected and influential advocates in the music industry. She founded Rap Coalition in 1992 to level the playing field for artists—fighting against exploitation and helping those with little to no leverage gain power and control over their careers. Over the past 33 years, Wendy has negotiated some of the most artist-friendly deals in history and has been instrumental in creating many music industry millionaires. Her work has helped shaped the careers of Eminem, Tupac, Master P, Twista, Cash Money Records, David Banner, Do Or Die, Fiend, Boosie, Webbie, Trouble, Foolio, C-Murder, LaRussell, Flawless, and many more—with her clients collectively selling over a billion units.
Wendy’s mission has always been clear: empower artists with knowledge, strategy, and independence. Through her consulting, her how-to books, and artist-first business models, she’s helped hundreds of artists build their own successful labels and careers. Today, Wendy is launching an educational platform and an artist incubator designed to teach artists how to monetize their music, build their brands, and succeed on their own terms. She also hosts two weekly podcasts and has a reality TV show in development with Lifetime. A sought-after speaker and thought leader, Wendy has spoken at Harvard, Stanford, NYU, Georgia Tech, Berklee, University of South Carolina Law School, and other leading institutions. Based in Atlanta, Wendy continues to be a fearless voice for truth, fairness, and artist empowerment in the music business. Follow her on Instagram: @RapCoalition and YouTube: YouTube.com/@ThisIsWendyDay
Jordyn Dodd - Songwriter, Artist
Singer, rapper, songwriter, vocal producer, these are just some of the titles held by multifaceted recording artist Jordyn. Jordyn grew up in San Diego, California. Adopted into a multi-ethnic family, he was exposed to a wide variety of music and culture. His ability to gracefully flow between genres & mediums has earned the attention of music moguls like Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records. Berry enlisted him as a songwriter/vocal producer in 2015. Jordyn has since worked with a broad spectrum of artists: Twista, Jordin Sparks, Xavier Omar, Tsu Surf, Zach Hood, Alex Aiono, Full Crate, Lay Zhang (EXO), Ronnie DeVoe, Cece Peniston. His work landed him a spot on Red Bull Music's Songwriter/Artist roster in fall of 2019. In 2021, he was quickly scooped up by artist-first, sync powerhouse: Secret Road, & has since placed songs with the NFL, Netflix, Disney, The CW, Smartwater and many more.
Singer, rapper, songwriter, vocal producer, these are just some of the titles held by multifaceted recording artist Jordyn. Jordyn grew up in San Diego, California. Adopted into a multi-ethnic family, he was exposed to a wide variety of music and culture. His ability to gracefully flow between genres & mediums has earned the attention of music moguls like Berry Gordy, founder of Motown Records. Berry enlisted him as a songwriter/vocal producer in 2015. Jordyn has since worked with a broad spectrum of artists: Twista, Jordin Sparks, Xavier Omar, Tsu Surf, Zach Hood, Alex Aiono, Full Crate, Lay Zhang (EXO), Ronnie DeVoe, Cece Peniston. His work landed him a spot on Red Bull Music's Songwriter/Artist roster in fall of 2019. In 2021, he was quickly scooped up by artist-first, sync powerhouse: Secret Road, & has since placed songs with the NFL, Netflix, Disney, The CW, Smartwater and many more.
Timie Ann Dolan - The Recording Academy/GRAMMYs, Pacific Northwest Chapter
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Timie’s career spans over three decades of supporting the music and arts community and its creators. From working at independent record stores, to her current role as manager of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy/GRAMMY’s, Timie has developed skills in marketing and communications, strategic branding, fundraising, programming, and event management for some of the most celebrated organizations including KEXP, The Vera Project, Bumbershoot, KUOW, Sub Pop Records, and Universal Music Distribution. Timie has built a reputation as a fierce and loyal advocate for supporting creative communities through education, engagement, and funding. She has dedicated her career to the belief that music is fundamental to the human experience, and loves connecting with others, and mentoring the next generation of music lovers.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Timie’s career spans over three decades of supporting the music and arts community and its creators. From working at independent record stores, to her current role as manager of the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the Recording Academy/GRAMMY’s, Timie has developed skills in marketing and communications, strategic branding, fundraising, programming, and event management for some of the most celebrated organizations including KEXP, The Vera Project, Bumbershoot, KUOW, Sub Pop Records, and Universal Music Distribution. Timie has built a reputation as a fierce and loyal advocate for supporting creative communities through education, engagement, and funding. She has dedicated her career to the belief that music is fundamental to the human experience, and loves connecting with others, and mentoring the next generation of music lovers.
Jamie Dominguez - The MLC (Mechanical Licensing Collective)
Jamie Dominguez is the National Director of Industry Relations at the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), where she creates and maintains relationships with industry organizations and their stakeholders such as songwriters, publishers, business managers and music industry attorneys. With 25 years of experience in the music industry, Jamie collaborates with creators across all genres and specializes in rights management, music publishing, artist development and education initiatives. In her role at The MLC, Jamie is responsible for amplifying the identity and mission of The MLC by communicating critical messages and spearheading outreach efforts focused on educating and empowering music creator. She actively participates in industry events and conferences strategically positioned to reach key audiences and effectively tell the story of The MLC. Additionally, Jamie follows current and emerging music trends to facilitate a steady influx of new songwriters and partners across all genres and platforms.
Beginning her career in Austin, Texas, Jamie earned a BA in Journalism, Mass Communication and Media Studies from the University of Texas. During college, she gained experience in radio and entertainment PR. After graduating, Jamie moved to New York City to join SESAC, where she spent 19 years growing within the company, identifying, curating and nurturing their extensive roster of songwriters. As Senior Director of Creative Services, she led the New York-based team in supporting and creating opportunities for SESAC-affiliated songwriters and publishers, while also forging alliances with other industry organizations and their stakeholders.
Jamie's dedication to building a healthy music industry ecosystem by encouraging fair business practices and empowering creators led her to join Sound Royalties in July 2020 as Regional Director of Business Development & Artist Relations, where she launched the company's New York presence. In this role, she provided music creators with financial insight and alternative funding strategies that allowed them to access capital without sacrificing ownership of their copyrights or independence.
A committed mentor and educator, Jamie was a former instructor for BerkleeNYC’s Master of Arts in Creative Media and Technology program at the legendary Power Station in Manhattan. Passionate about supporting creatives and building community, Jamie actively volunteers with various non-profit organizations. She serves on the Recording Academy's New York Chapter Board of Governors and is the current DREAM (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Music People) Ambassador, spotlighting the cultural contributions of creators and establishing member resource groups with a focus on promoting and implementing practices that advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Jamie is also a board member for Mono Stereo Groove (M.S.G.), a community of the music industry's Asian creators & executives curating initiatives to uplift, connect, and empower. She has previously served on the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board and the Education Special Projects Committee for the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jamie Dominguez is the National Director of Industry Relations at the Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC), where she creates and maintains relationships with industry organizations and their stakeholders such as songwriters, publishers, business managers and music industry attorneys. With 25 years of experience in the music industry, Jamie collaborates with creators across all genres and specializes in rights management, music publishing, artist development and education initiatives. In her role at The MLC, Jamie is responsible for amplifying the identity and mission of The MLC by communicating critical messages and spearheading outreach efforts focused on educating and empowering music creator. She actively participates in industry events and conferences strategically positioned to reach key audiences and effectively tell the story of The MLC. Additionally, Jamie follows current and emerging music trends to facilitate a steady influx of new songwriters and partners across all genres and platforms.
Beginning her career in Austin, Texas, Jamie earned a BA in Journalism, Mass Communication and Media Studies from the University of Texas. During college, she gained experience in radio and entertainment PR. After graduating, Jamie moved to New York City to join SESAC, where she spent 19 years growing within the company, identifying, curating and nurturing their extensive roster of songwriters. As Senior Director of Creative Services, she led the New York-based team in supporting and creating opportunities for SESAC-affiliated songwriters and publishers, while also forging alliances with other industry organizations and their stakeholders.
Jamie's dedication to building a healthy music industry ecosystem by encouraging fair business practices and empowering creators led her to join Sound Royalties in July 2020 as Regional Director of Business Development & Artist Relations, where she launched the company's New York presence. In this role, she provided music creators with financial insight and alternative funding strategies that allowed them to access capital without sacrificing ownership of their copyrights or independence.
A committed mentor and educator, Jamie was a former instructor for BerkleeNYC’s Master of Arts in Creative Media and Technology program at the legendary Power Station in Manhattan. Passionate about supporting creatives and building community, Jamie actively volunteers with various non-profit organizations. She serves on the Recording Academy's New York Chapter Board of Governors and is the current DREAM (Diversity Reimagined by Engaging All Music People) Ambassador, spotlighting the cultural contributions of creators and establishing member resource groups with a focus on promoting and implementing practices that advance diversity, equity and inclusion. Jamie is also a board member for Mono Stereo Groove (M.S.G.), a community of the music industry's Asian creators & executives curating initiatives to uplift, connect, and empower. She has previously served on the Library of Congress National Recording Preservation Board and the Education Special Projects Committee for the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis - Producer
Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis is a dynamic, Grammy Award–winning, multi-platinum music super producer, composer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose influence has helped define the sound of hip-hop and global popular music since the early 1990s. Born and raised in Haiti, he has built a stellar international career marked by three Grammy Awards, over 16 Grammy nominations, a publishing catalog of more than 300 titles, and over 300 million singles and albums sold worldwide.
As a co-founding member of the legendary The Fugees, Jerry’s production on the landmark album The Score reshaped modern hip-hop and earned multiple Grammy Awards, cementing its place as one of the most influential albums in music history. A self-taught musician with a rare ability to fuse global rhythms and mainstream appeal, he has produced hits across hip-hop, pop, R&B, reggae, rock, and world music.
Throughout his career, Jerry has collaborated with an extraordinary roster of musical icons, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Carlos Santana, Mick Jagger, Bono, Eric Clapton, John Legend, and Justin Bieber, among many others. His work for film includes scoring ten films and documentaries and producing songs for major motion pictures, including the Golden Globe–nominated “Million Voices” from Hotel Rwanda.
An accomplished entrepreneur, Jerry founded Platinum Sound Recording Studios in 2002 in the heart of TriBeCa, building one of New York City’s most iconic and enduring creative hubs. The studio has welcomed world-renowned artists and continues to serve as a birthplace for groundbreaking music.
Beyond his musical achievements, Jerry is a dedicated civic leader and global advocate. He serves as a Governor of the New York Chapter of The Recording Academy and is a Goodwill
Ambassador to Haiti, championing humanitarian relief, education, health initiatives, sustainable business, and community development. He is the creator of the One World Project, co-founder of WeThePlanet, and a speaker at United Nations events. A steadfast supporter of the New Jersey and Newark communities, Jerry has led youth arts and entrepreneurial initiatives and was honored with the Impact Award from Rutgers University. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Newark Symphony Hall and has been recognized at numerous events, including the Creole Image Honors Awards. His philanthropic efforts extend to supporting causes related to clean water, mental health advocacy, and pediatric brain tumor research.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Jerry Wonda Duplessis continues to shape culture at the highest level — creating timeless music, building transformative platforms, and using his global voice to uplift communities around the world. Over the years, Jerry Wonda has worked with an impressive list of artists and producers across multiple
genres. Here are some of the most notable names: Shakira, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Eric Clapton, YG Marley, Wyclef Jean, DJ Khaled, Ms. .Lauryn Hill, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Swiss Beatz, Aretha Franklin, Ron Isley, Akon, Ne-Yo, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, T.I., Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, Salaam Remi, Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Trey Songz, Miguel, Rick Ross, LL Cool J, Ashanti, Nas, Melissa Etheridge, Raekwon, Black Eyed Peas, Jon Batiste, Buju Banton, Gwen Stefani, Black Eyed Peas, Bono, DMX, Barrington Levy, Steven Marley, and Timbaland.
Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis is a dynamic, Grammy Award–winning, multi-platinum music super producer, composer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist whose influence has helped define the sound of hip-hop and global popular music since the early 1990s. Born and raised in Haiti, he has built a stellar international career marked by three Grammy Awards, over 16 Grammy nominations, a publishing catalog of more than 300 titles, and over 300 million singles and albums sold worldwide.
As a co-founding member of the legendary The Fugees, Jerry’s production on the landmark album The Score reshaped modern hip-hop and earned multiple Grammy Awards, cementing its place as one of the most influential albums in music history. A self-taught musician with a rare ability to fuse global rhythms and mainstream appeal, he has produced hits across hip-hop, pop, R&B, reggae, rock, and world music.
Throughout his career, Jerry has collaborated with an extraordinary roster of musical icons, including Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Shakira, Mary J. Blige, Carlos Santana, Mick Jagger, Bono, Eric Clapton, John Legend, and Justin Bieber, among many others. His work for film includes scoring ten films and documentaries and producing songs for major motion pictures, including the Golden Globe–nominated “Million Voices” from Hotel Rwanda.
An accomplished entrepreneur, Jerry founded Platinum Sound Recording Studios in 2002 in the heart of TriBeCa, building one of New York City’s most iconic and enduring creative hubs. The studio has welcomed world-renowned artists and continues to serve as a birthplace for groundbreaking music.
Beyond his musical achievements, Jerry is a dedicated civic leader and global advocate. He serves as a Governor of the New York Chapter of The Recording Academy and is a Goodwill
Ambassador to Haiti, championing humanitarian relief, education, health initiatives, sustainable business, and community development. He is the creator of the One World Project, co-founder of WeThePlanet, and a speaker at United Nations events. A steadfast supporter of the New Jersey and Newark communities, Jerry has led youth arts and entrepreneurial initiatives and was honored with the Impact Award from Rutgers University. He also serves on the Board of Directors for Newark Symphony Hall and has been recognized at numerous events, including the Creole Image Honors Awards. His philanthropic efforts extend to supporting causes related to clean water, mental health advocacy, and pediatric brain tumor research.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Jerry Wonda Duplessis continues to shape culture at the highest level — creating timeless music, building transformative platforms, and using his global voice to uplift communities around the world. Over the years, Jerry Wonda has worked with an impressive list of artists and producers across multiple
genres. Here are some of the most notable names: Shakira, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Rihanna, Eric Clapton, YG Marley, Wyclef Jean, DJ Khaled, Ms. .Lauryn Hill, Justin Bieber, Mary J. Blige, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Swiss Beatz, Aretha Franklin, Ron Isley, Akon, Ne-Yo, Ludacris, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliott, T.I., Kanye West, Wiz Khalifa, Salaam Remi, Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Jennifer Hudson, Trey Songz, Miguel, Rick Ross, LL Cool J, Ashanti, Nas, Melissa Etheridge, Raekwon, Black Eyed Peas, Jon Batiste, Buju Banton, Gwen Stefani, Black Eyed Peas, Bono, DMX, Barrington Levy, Steven Marley, and Timbaland.
JC Dwyer - Composer, Producer, Production Music Library
Co-Founder, President, Creative Director, Composer & Producer | Megatrax Music (1990–2026), JC Dwyer brings over 45 years of media music expertise to the industry.
Over his distinguished and diverse 36-year tenure leading Megatrax from 1990 to 2026, JC produced and co-produced over 1,000 album volumes, establishing a benchmark for production music across film, television, and major network campaigns. Now embarking on an exciting new chapter, JC is refocusing his energy on independent composing, song writing and creating music for multiple top-tier publishers and production catalogs worldwide.
A highly regarded figure in the sync and scoring community, JC has been recognized at the Production Music Association's Mark Awards with multiple prestigious honors for songwriting, trailer compositions, producing, and co-writing. His compositions and productions have backed major Hollywood theatrical trailers, primetime broadcasts, and global media campaigns. As an active supporter of the sync community, he has also been a proud friend and sponsor of The Guild of Music Supervisors since inception.
JC holds a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music in Composition from USC, and a degree from USC’s world-renowned Master of Music in Screen Scoring. He is an active member of The Recording Academy (Grammys), ASCAP, the Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL), and the Production Music (PMA), AIMP and The CCC.
Co-Founder, President, Creative Director, Composer & Producer | Megatrax Music (1990–2026), JC Dwyer brings over 45 years of media music expertise to the industry.
Over his distinguished and diverse 36-year tenure leading Megatrax from 1990 to 2026, JC produced and co-produced over 1,000 album volumes, establishing a benchmark for production music across film, television, and major network campaigns. Now embarking on an exciting new chapter, JC is refocusing his energy on independent composing, song writing and creating music for multiple top-tier publishers and production catalogs worldwide.
A highly regarded figure in the sync and scoring community, JC has been recognized at the Production Music Association's Mark Awards with multiple prestigious honors for songwriting, trailer compositions, producing, and co-writing. His compositions and productions have backed major Hollywood theatrical trailers, primetime broadcasts, and global media campaigns. As an active supporter of the sync community, he has also been a proud friend and sponsor of The Guild of Music Supervisors since inception.
JC holds a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music, a Master of Music in Composition from USC, and a degree from USC’s world-renowned Master of Music in Screen Scoring. He is an active member of The Recording Academy (Grammys), ASCAP, the Society of Composers & Lyricists (SCL), and the Production Music (PMA), AIMP and The CCC.
Michael Eames - Music Publishing
Michael Eames is a trained composer, songwriter, and pianist who majored in music at Cornell University and completed the Certificate Program in Film Scoring at UCLA Extension; he also secured a minor in Business Management from Cornell.
As president of PEN Music Group, Inc., Michael oversees all aspects of the operation as well as focuses on pitching the catalogue to all media and business development. He was chosen to serve (along with 4 other independent music publishers and 5 songwriters) on the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee (UROC) of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) that commenced blanket mechanical licensing of the digital services in the U.S. on January 1, 2021 and currently serves as the UROC Chair. He also proudly serves on the Independent Publishers Advisory Council (IPAC) of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and on the Advisory Board of Songwriters Of North America (SONA). He also previously served as the National President of the Association Of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) from 2015-2018 and served as its National Vice President from 2013-2014.
Immediately prior to starting PEN, Michael oversaw the international and film & TV departments of Don Williams Music Group where he was responsible for song catalogues such as Jimi Hendrix, Chicago, and Roy Orbison among numerous others. He also worked previously for Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and the management and music supervision firms The Derek Power Co and Seth Kaplan Entertainment.
Michael wrote the music publishing section of the Hal Leonard/Rowman & Littlefield-published book entitled Five Star Music Makeover: The Independent Artist’s Guide for Singers, Songwriters, Bands, Producers and Self Publishers (2016) and is co-author (with Bobby Borg) of the book Introduction To Music Publishing For Musicians whose 2nd Edition was published in 2025 and is already used in many curriculums across the country. He is a frequent guest speaker in both real and virtual classrooms, festivals and panel discussions worldwide.
Michael Eames is a trained composer, songwriter, and pianist who majored in music at Cornell University and completed the Certificate Program in Film Scoring at UCLA Extension; he also secured a minor in Business Management from Cornell.
As president of PEN Music Group, Inc., Michael oversees all aspects of the operation as well as focuses on pitching the catalogue to all media and business development. He was chosen to serve (along with 4 other independent music publishers and 5 songwriters) on the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee (UROC) of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) that commenced blanket mechanical licensing of the digital services in the U.S. on January 1, 2021 and currently serves as the UROC Chair. He also proudly serves on the Independent Publishers Advisory Council (IPAC) of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) and on the Advisory Board of Songwriters Of North America (SONA). He also previously served as the National President of the Association Of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) from 2015-2018 and served as its National Vice President from 2013-2014.
Immediately prior to starting PEN, Michael oversaw the international and film & TV departments of Don Williams Music Group where he was responsible for song catalogues such as Jimi Hendrix, Chicago, and Roy Orbison among numerous others. He also worked previously for Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and the management and music supervision firms The Derek Power Co and Seth Kaplan Entertainment.
Michael wrote the music publishing section of the Hal Leonard/Rowman & Littlefield-published book entitled Five Star Music Makeover: The Independent Artist’s Guide for Singers, Songwriters, Bands, Producers and Self Publishers (2016) and is co-author (with Bobby Borg) of the book Introduction To Music Publishing For Musicians whose 2nd Edition was published in 2025 and is already used in many curriculums across the country. He is a frequent guest speaker in both real and virtual classrooms, festivals and panel discussions worldwide.
Imua Garza - Songwriter, Producer, Artist
Imua Garza is a Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Hawaiʻi. As a member of the Opihi Pickers and founder of Zeo Music, he has spent decades performing, writing, and producing music across a wide range of genres. Known for his collaborative spirit and passion for artist development, Imua enjoys helping songwriters bring their stories to life through authentic and meaningful music.
Imua Garza is a Grammy-nominated producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist from Hawaiʻi. As a member of the Opihi Pickers and founder of Zeo Music, he has spent decades performing, writing, and producing music across a wide range of genres. Known for his collaborative spirit and passion for artist development, Imua enjoys helping songwriters bring their stories to life through authentic and meaningful music.
Richard Harris - Songwriter, Producer, Mentor
Richard is a #1 selling songwriter, producer and mentor. Transplanted from the UK to Los Angeles California, Richard quickly signed a staff writer publishing deal with Peer Music landing multiple major label song cuts all around the world resulting in several Billboard #1's, top ten singles and Platinum and Gold records.
Richard has landed hundreds of TV, Film and Ad song placements through Peer and the major music libraries he has composed for. His music has been used in hit TV shows including “The Rookie” “All American” “Empire", "Nashville", “Pretty Little Liars”, “The Bold Type”, “Good Trouble”, "One Tree Hill", movies "This Means War" and "Single Moms Club", commercials placements for eBay, TJ Maxx, Hyundai and Vivo and trailer/promos for The NFL, HBO, AT&T and Fox TV.
Richard is also consulting as head of Film and TV for Nashville based publisher Demolition Music and is on the lookout for great artists, producers and writers focused on writing for sync. Richard is also a songwriting mentor and recently launched a new company SongWriterCamps (www.songwritercamps.com) with long-time collaborator, Pam Sheyne.
Richard is a #1 selling songwriter, producer and mentor. Transplanted from the UK to Los Angeles California, Richard quickly signed a staff writer publishing deal with Peer Music landing multiple major label song cuts all around the world resulting in several Billboard #1's, top ten singles and Platinum and Gold records.
Richard has landed hundreds of TV, Film and Ad song placements through Peer and the major music libraries he has composed for. His music has been used in hit TV shows including “The Rookie” “All American” “Empire", "Nashville", “Pretty Little Liars”, “The Bold Type”, “Good Trouble”, "One Tree Hill", movies "This Means War" and "Single Moms Club", commercials placements for eBay, TJ Maxx, Hyundai and Vivo and trailer/promos for The NFL, HBO, AT&T and Fox TV.
Richard is also consulting as head of Film and TV for Nashville based publisher Demolition Music and is on the lookout for great artists, producers and writers focused on writing for sync. Richard is also a songwriting mentor and recently launched a new company SongWriterCamps (www.songwritercamps.com) with long-time collaborator, Pam Sheyne.
Greg Holden - Artist, Songwriter, Producer
Greg Holden is a multi-platinum selling songwriter, artist, and producer. The Scottish singer moved to New York City in 2009 where he spent eight years honing his craft in the New York music scene before relocating to Los Angeles. During the pandemic he left the California sunshine for the rainy forests of Portland, OR where he currently calls home. Over the years Holden has toured and performed with Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Grace Potter, Butch Walker and many others while touring extensively in bars, clubs, theaters, and arenas around the world.
In 2014, he was awarded an ASCAP Award for co-writing the hit song “Home” for American Idol-winner Phillip Phillips, which sold over six million copies and streamed over two hundred million times.
Greg Holden is a multi-platinum selling songwriter, artist, and producer. The Scottish singer moved to New York City in 2009 where he spent eight years honing his craft in the New York music scene before relocating to Los Angeles. During the pandemic he left the California sunshine for the rainy forests of Portland, OR where he currently calls home. Over the years Holden has toured and performed with Brandi Carlile, Ingrid Michaelson, Grace Potter, Butch Walker and many others while touring extensively in bars, clubs, theaters, and arenas around the world.
In 2014, he was awarded an ASCAP Award for co-writing the hit song “Home” for American Idol-winner Phillip Phillips, which sold over six million copies and streamed over two hundred million times.
Lava Hong - Music Supervisor
Lava Hong is a LA-based music supervisor, artist, and mentor whose work bridges Hollywood, gaming, and global entertainment. She currently serves as Music Supervisor at Riot Games and Premier Music Group, leading music supervision and creative strategy across international campaigns and interactive media.
Before joining Premier and Riot, Lava built her foundation at Trailer Park Group, one of the world’s foremost entertainment marketing agencies. Rising from coordinator to music supervisor, she supported and facilitated music supervision, licensing, and placements for acclaimed campaigns including Oppenheimer, Wicked, Wednesday, Furiosa, Mufasa, Stranger Things, and 3 Body Problem.
A passionate mentor and advocate for emerging talent, especially women and AAPI creatives in music and sync. In 2025, Carnegie Mellon
University awarded her the Heinz College Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, honouring her artistic leadership and cross-cultural contributions to the global music industry.
Lava Hong is a LA-based music supervisor, artist, and mentor whose work bridges Hollywood, gaming, and global entertainment. She currently serves as Music Supervisor at Riot Games and Premier Music Group, leading music supervision and creative strategy across international campaigns and interactive media.
Before joining Premier and Riot, Lava built her foundation at Trailer Park Group, one of the world’s foremost entertainment marketing agencies. Rising from coordinator to music supervisor, she supported and facilitated music supervision, licensing, and placements for acclaimed campaigns including Oppenheimer, Wicked, Wednesday, Furiosa, Mufasa, Stranger Things, and 3 Body Problem.
A passionate mentor and advocate for emerging talent, especially women and AAPI creatives in music and sync. In 2025, Carnegie Mellon
University awarded her the Heinz College Outstanding Recent Alumni Award, honouring her artistic leadership and cross-cultural contributions to the global music industry.
Akira Hori - Music Publishing
Akira Hori, based in Nashville, works across music publishing, artist development, label operations, and artist management at Hori Global Entertainment. Drawing on a background in project management and a lifelong connection to the music business, he helps artists and songwriters through creative strategy, release planning, catalog management, song pitching, and talent scouting. He's also helping build out Hori Global's label and management divisions, focused on creating opportunities for emerging artists and songwriters while keeping the song at the center of everything.
Akira Hori, based in Nashville, works across music publishing, artist development, label operations, and artist management at Hori Global Entertainment. Drawing on a background in project management and a lifelong connection to the music business, he helps artists and songwriters through creative strategy, release planning, catalog management, song pitching, and talent scouting. He's also helping build out Hori Global's label and management divisions, focused on creating opportunities for emerging artists and songwriters while keeping the song at the center of everything.
Kainani Kahaunaele - Songwriter, Artist
Kainani Kahaunaele is a mele (Hawaiian song) enthusiast, singer, songwriter, teacher, and musician. She was born and raised in Anahola, Kauaʻi and has lived in Hilo, Hawaiʻi for 27 years as an advocate for Hawaiian language revitalization and the perpetuation of Hawaiian music through education and performance.
While earning her B.A in Hawaiian Studies and Master’s degree in Hawaiian Literature at Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language and Literature of UH Hilo, this talented songstress started singing professionally and composing traditional songs (haku mele) as Hawaiian language curriculum for ʻAha Pūnana Leo (a pioneering Hawaiian language revitalization program). It also encouraged and promoted the documentation of our current history through mele and garnered five Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards along the way for her CDs Naʻu ʻOe (2003) and ʻŌhai ʻUla (2010), including Haku Mele of the Year (Composer of Hawaiian Song award), Hawaiian Language Performance, Most Promising Artist, and the highly coveted Female Vocalist of the Year establishing Kainani as one of the most notable talents of her generation.
Kainani’s proficiency in haku mele attracted many renown artists such as Weldon Kekauoha, Aaron Salā, Nā Leo, Lehua Kalima & Shawn Pimental, and Kapono Nāʻiliʻili to record her original mele while numerous hālau hula have danced her songs in Hawaiʻi and around the world. She has also recorded with many artists from Hawaiʻi including Kealiʻi Reichel, Kaumakaʻiwa Kanakaʻole, Kekuhi Kanahele, Manu Boyd, Shilo Pā, Moemoeā, and with her former band Kahikina. She was also part of Project Kuleana’s inaugural videos Kaulana Nā Pua and All Hawaiʻi Stands Together, and Playing For Change’s Natural Mystic. Her songs have been featured on Hawaiʻi 5-0, Hawaiʻi Skin Diver, ʻŌiwi TV, three Kamehameha School Song Contests, several Merrie Monarch competitions, and in the sci-fi comedy drama film Strange Frame: Love & Sax. Also known for her warm dynamic vocal abilities, Kainani’s charming voice amplifies the imagery of the songs, enabling delightful encounters with the poetry she delivers.
Kainani’s highly anticipated and brand new CD release Waipunalei showcases her new original music and collaborations with over 20 of Hawaiʻi’s finest musicians. Waipunalei will lyrically take us on a trip throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond with traditional Hawaiian, contemporary, jazz, and RnB musical flavors.The Waipunalei CD also features a comprehensive mele booklet complete with lyrics, imagery interpretation, contextual notes, and rich graphics.
Kainani Kahaunaele is a mele (Hawaiian song) enthusiast, singer, songwriter, teacher, and musician. She was born and raised in Anahola, Kauaʻi and has lived in Hilo, Hawaiʻi for 27 years as an advocate for Hawaiian language revitalization and the perpetuation of Hawaiian music through education and performance.
While earning her B.A in Hawaiian Studies and Master’s degree in Hawaiian Literature at Ka Haka ʻUla o Keʻelikōlani College of Hawaiian Language and Literature of UH Hilo, this talented songstress started singing professionally and composing traditional songs (haku mele) as Hawaiian language curriculum for ʻAha Pūnana Leo (a pioneering Hawaiian language revitalization program). It also encouraged and promoted the documentation of our current history through mele and garnered five Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards along the way for her CDs Naʻu ʻOe (2003) and ʻŌhai ʻUla (2010), including Haku Mele of the Year (Composer of Hawaiian Song award), Hawaiian Language Performance, Most Promising Artist, and the highly coveted Female Vocalist of the Year establishing Kainani as one of the most notable talents of her generation.
Kainani’s proficiency in haku mele attracted many renown artists such as Weldon Kekauoha, Aaron Salā, Nā Leo, Lehua Kalima & Shawn Pimental, and Kapono Nāʻiliʻili to record her original mele while numerous hālau hula have danced her songs in Hawaiʻi and around the world. She has also recorded with many artists from Hawaiʻi including Kealiʻi Reichel, Kaumakaʻiwa Kanakaʻole, Kekuhi Kanahele, Manu Boyd, Shilo Pā, Moemoeā, and with her former band Kahikina. She was also part of Project Kuleana’s inaugural videos Kaulana Nā Pua and All Hawaiʻi Stands Together, and Playing For Change’s Natural Mystic. Her songs have been featured on Hawaiʻi 5-0, Hawaiʻi Skin Diver, ʻŌiwi TV, three Kamehameha School Song Contests, several Merrie Monarch competitions, and in the sci-fi comedy drama film Strange Frame: Love & Sax. Also known for her warm dynamic vocal abilities, Kainani’s charming voice amplifies the imagery of the songs, enabling delightful encounters with the poetry she delivers.
Kainani’s highly anticipated and brand new CD release Waipunalei showcases her new original music and collaborations with over 20 of Hawaiʻi’s finest musicians. Waipunalei will lyrically take us on a trip throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond with traditional Hawaiian, contemporary, jazz, and RnB musical flavors.The Waipunalei CD also features a comprehensive mele booklet complete with lyrics, imagery interpretation, contextual notes, and rich graphics.
Lehua Kalima - Songwriter, Artist
Lehua Kalima is an award-winning singer, songwriter, composer, and recording artist whose music has helped define contemporary Hawaiian music for more than four decades. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, she co-founded Nā Leo Pilimehana while still in high school, helping launch what would become one of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved and successful musical groups.
Over the course of an extraordinary career, Kalima and Nā Leo Pilimehana have released more than two dozen recordings, earned 23 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, and built a devoted following that spans generations. The group’s enduring success and cultural impact led to its induction into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, and in Fall 2026, Nā Leo Pilimehana will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award honoring more than forty years of contributions to Hawaiian music.
Beyond her work with Nā Leo, Kalima has established herself as a respected songwriter, solo artist, and collaborator. Her solo album Rising in Love earned the 2012 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Contemporary Album of the Year, and her songwriting has been recognized with multiple Song of the Year honors. As a member of the acclaimed group Kulāiwi, which she co-founded in 2023, she earned multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, including the prestigious Album of the Year honor. Known for crafting songs that blend heartfelt storytelling with authentic island sensibilities, her work reflects a deep connection to the people, culture, and traditions of Hawaiʻi.
In 2015, Kalima was selected as a National Artist Fellow by the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, one of the highest honors awarded to Native Hawaiian, Native American, and Alaska Native artists. The fellowship recognized both her artistic excellence and her commitment to preserving and perpetuating Native Hawaiian culture through music.
Today, Kalima continues to write, record, and perform while mentoring emerging artists and sharing insights gained from a lifetime in the music industry. Drawing from decades of experience as a songwriter, performer, independent artist, and cultural practitioner, she offers aspiring songwriters a unique perspective on creativity, collaboration, artistic longevity, and the importance of finding and honoring one’s authentic voice.
Lehua Kalima is an award-winning singer, songwriter, composer, and recording artist whose music has helped define contemporary Hawaiian music for more than four decades. A graduate of Kamehameha Schools, she co-founded Nā Leo Pilimehana while still in high school, helping launch what would become one of Hawaiʻi’s most beloved and successful musical groups.
Over the course of an extraordinary career, Kalima and Nā Leo Pilimehana have released more than two dozen recordings, earned 23 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, and built a devoted following that spans generations. The group’s enduring success and cultural impact led to its induction into the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame, and in Fall 2026, Nā Leo Pilimehana will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award honoring more than forty years of contributions to Hawaiian music.
Beyond her work with Nā Leo, Kalima has established herself as a respected songwriter, solo artist, and collaborator. Her solo album Rising in Love earned the 2012 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award for Contemporary Album of the Year, and her songwriting has been recognized with multiple Song of the Year honors. As a member of the acclaimed group Kulāiwi, which she co-founded in 2023, she earned multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards, including the prestigious Album of the Year honor. Known for crafting songs that blend heartfelt storytelling with authentic island sensibilities, her work reflects a deep connection to the people, culture, and traditions of Hawaiʻi.
In 2015, Kalima was selected as a National Artist Fellow by the Native Arts and Cultures Foundation, one of the highest honors awarded to Native Hawaiian, Native American, and Alaska Native artists. The fellowship recognized both her artistic excellence and her commitment to preserving and perpetuating Native Hawaiian culture through music.
Today, Kalima continues to write, record, and perform while mentoring emerging artists and sharing insights gained from a lifetime in the music industry. Drawing from decades of experience as a songwriter, performer, independent artist, and cultural practitioner, she offers aspiring songwriters a unique perspective on creativity, collaboration, artistic longevity, and the importance of finding and honoring one’s authentic voice.
Justin Kamps - Music Supervisor
Justin started his career in 2009 as an intern at Chop Shop Music Supervision, where he worked his way up and gained experience over the course of 10 years. During his time there, he earned credits on various projects such as Insatiable (Netflix), A Futile and Stupid Gesture (Netflix), and Z: The Beginning of Everything (Amazon). He also contributed uncredited work to shows like Scandal (ABC), How to Get Away With Murder (ABC), Council of Dads (NBC) and many more.
After his journey at Chop Shop, Kamps launched his own independent music supervision company, Monster Sector Music Supervision. Since then, he has supervised a multitude of projects including Bridgerton (Netflix), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Death By Lightning (Netflix), Lucifer (Netflix), The Actor (Neon), Nancy Drew (CW), Resident Evil (Netflix), The Winchesters (CW), Perfect Addiction (Constantin), Rebel (ABC), Another Life (Netflix), Supernatural (CW), and upcoming projects like Misty Green (A24). He also received a Guild of Music Supervisors Awards Nomination for his work on Season 2 of Bridgerton.
Prior to his career in music supervision, Justin earned a Master’s degree in Arts Management with an emphasis on Music Business from Columbia College Chicago. Outside of work, he stays connected to his musical roots by performing with multiple choirs in the Los Angeles area.
Justin started his career in 2009 as an intern at Chop Shop Music Supervision, where he worked his way up and gained experience over the course of 10 years. During his time there, he earned credits on various projects such as Insatiable (Netflix), A Futile and Stupid Gesture (Netflix), and Z: The Beginning of Everything (Amazon). He also contributed uncredited work to shows like Scandal (ABC), How to Get Away With Murder (ABC), Council of Dads (NBC) and many more.
After his journey at Chop Shop, Kamps launched his own independent music supervision company, Monster Sector Music Supervision. Since then, he has supervised a multitude of projects including Bridgerton (Netflix), Grey’s Anatomy (ABC), Death By Lightning (Netflix), Lucifer (Netflix), The Actor (Neon), Nancy Drew (CW), Resident Evil (Netflix), The Winchesters (CW), Perfect Addiction (Constantin), Rebel (ABC), Another Life (Netflix), Supernatural (CW), and upcoming projects like Misty Green (A24). He also received a Guild of Music Supervisors Awards Nomination for his work on Season 2 of Bridgerton.
Prior to his career in music supervision, Justin earned a Master’s degree in Arts Management with an emphasis on Music Business from Columbia College Chicago. Outside of work, he stays connected to his musical roots by performing with multiple choirs in the Los Angeles area.
J. Lauryn - Artist, Songwriter, Producer
Grammy Award-winning, 8x Platinum-selling songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and independent artist J.Lauryn is from the small town of Kailua, Hawaii. She moved to Los Angeles in 2007, pursuing a career as a professional dancer. During her time as a dancer, she performed alongside Queen Latifah at the 2011 People's Choice Awards, a moment she still considers one of the highlights of her early entertainment career. It wasn't long before she shifted her focus to writing and recording music.
In 2015, J.Lauryn was invited to perform her original song "Criminal Love" from her debut EP, ViBeS & HiGhS, live on VH1's The Big Morning Buzz in Times Square, New York City. In 2017, she released her self-produced, self-written, and self- engineered album, Golden Year, on her 29th birthday. That same year, J.Lauryn became a Grammy Award winner for her contribution to Ziggy Marley's self-titled album, which won Best Reggae Album.
In 2019, J.Lauryn co-wrote her first major hit single, "Goodbyes" by Post Malone and Young Thug, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song served as the lead single from Post Malone's blockbuster album Hollywood's Bleeding, which became the highest-selling album of 2019, reached #1 on the Billboard 200, and earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. At the beginning of 2020, J.Lauryn landed a placement on Map of the Soul: 7 by global superstars BTS, the highest pre-ordered album of all time at its release. The
song "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)," co-written by J.Lauryn, helped propel the album to #1 on the Billboard 200. Since then, J has continued building an impressive catalog of global hits. In 2021, Rosé of BLACKPINK released her debut solo project featuring the single "Gone," co-written by J.Lauryn. Later that year, she co-wrote the worldwide hit "SG" by DJ Snake, Ozuna, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lisa of BLACKPINK.
In 2022, J.Lauryn co-produced and co-wrote "Waiting For Never" and "Hateful" from Post Malone's Twelve Carat Toothache (Deluxe). To date, she remains the only female songwriter-producer to have written and produced for Post Malone. She also celebrated another #1 Billboard 200 achievement when BTS included "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)" on their anthology album, Proof. In May 2023, J.Lauryn was featured as a songwriter on a YouTube Music billboard in Times Square. That same year, she wrote for global superstar Jackson Wang on his remix of XG's "Left Right," featuring Ciara, and co-wrote "Eyes Roll" and "Flip It" for (G)I-DLE's EP HEAT.
While continuing to write for some of the world's biggest artists, J.Lauryn has also reconnected with her own artistry. After a seven-year hiatus from releasing a full body of work, she returned with a series of singles including "Bad To The Bone," "Pretty Hi," "Who The Man," and "Catch That Groove," leading up to the release of her self-written and self-produced album Highbiscus on April 5, 2024. The project showcased her passion for reggae, hip-hop, and authentic storytelling. Beyond music, J.Lauryn is also the co-founder of Vibey Kids, a children's entertainment and educational brand inspired by motherhood and created alongside her husband, former NFL player Drew Carter. Through original music, educational programming, learning adventures, and family-focused content, Vibey Kids reaches young audiences around the world with positive, engaging experiences designed for children ages 1–5. The brand has amassed millions of views and continues to grow as a trusted destination for fun, learning, and family entertainment.
Throughout her songwriting career, J.Lauryn has worked with a diverse range of artists including Jessie J, Macklemore, ONE OK ROCK, Pia Mia, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyla Yaweh, French Montana, Ronny J, and many more. Today, her songwriting and production contributions have generated over 5 billion streams worldwide, solidifying her place as one of the most accomplished independent songwriters and producers of her generation.
Grammy Award-winning, 8x Platinum-selling songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and independent artist J.Lauryn is from the small town of Kailua, Hawaii. She moved to Los Angeles in 2007, pursuing a career as a professional dancer. During her time as a dancer, she performed alongside Queen Latifah at the 2011 People's Choice Awards, a moment she still considers one of the highlights of her early entertainment career. It wasn't long before she shifted her focus to writing and recording music.
In 2015, J.Lauryn was invited to perform her original song "Criminal Love" from her debut EP, ViBeS & HiGhS, live on VH1's The Big Morning Buzz in Times Square, New York City. In 2017, she released her self-produced, self-written, and self- engineered album, Golden Year, on her 29th birthday. That same year, J.Lauryn became a Grammy Award winner for her contribution to Ziggy Marley's self-titled album, which won Best Reggae Album.
In 2019, J.Lauryn co-wrote her first major hit single, "Goodbyes" by Post Malone and Young Thug, which debuted at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song served as the lead single from Post Malone's blockbuster album Hollywood's Bleeding, which became the highest-selling album of 2019, reached #1 on the Billboard 200, and earned a Grammy nomination for Album of the Year. At the beginning of 2020, J.Lauryn landed a placement on Map of the Soul: 7 by global superstars BTS, the highest pre-ordered album of all time at its release. The
song "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)," co-written by J.Lauryn, helped propel the album to #1 on the Billboard 200. Since then, J has continued building an impressive catalog of global hits. In 2021, Rosé of BLACKPINK released her debut solo project featuring the single "Gone," co-written by J.Lauryn. Later that year, she co-wrote the worldwide hit "SG" by DJ Snake, Ozuna, Megan Thee Stallion, and Lisa of BLACKPINK.
In 2022, J.Lauryn co-produced and co-wrote "Waiting For Never" and "Hateful" from Post Malone's Twelve Carat Toothache (Deluxe). To date, she remains the only female songwriter-producer to have written and produced for Post Malone. She also celebrated another #1 Billboard 200 achievement when BTS included "00:00 (Zero O'Clock)" on their anthology album, Proof. In May 2023, J.Lauryn was featured as a songwriter on a YouTube Music billboard in Times Square. That same year, she wrote for global superstar Jackson Wang on his remix of XG's "Left Right," featuring Ciara, and co-wrote "Eyes Roll" and "Flip It" for (G)I-DLE's EP HEAT.
While continuing to write for some of the world's biggest artists, J.Lauryn has also reconnected with her own artistry. After a seven-year hiatus from releasing a full body of work, she returned with a series of singles including "Bad To The Bone," "Pretty Hi," "Who The Man," and "Catch That Groove," leading up to the release of her self-written and self-produced album Highbiscus on April 5, 2024. The project showcased her passion for reggae, hip-hop, and authentic storytelling. Beyond music, J.Lauryn is also the co-founder of Vibey Kids, a children's entertainment and educational brand inspired by motherhood and created alongside her husband, former NFL player Drew Carter. Through original music, educational programming, learning adventures, and family-focused content, Vibey Kids reaches young audiences around the world with positive, engaging experiences designed for children ages 1–5. The brand has amassed millions of views and continues to grow as a trusted destination for fun, learning, and family entertainment.
Throughout her songwriting career, J.Lauryn has worked with a diverse range of artists including Jessie J, Macklemore, ONE OK ROCK, Pia Mia, Ty Dolla $ign, Tyla Yaweh, French Montana, Ronny J, and many more. Today, her songwriting and production contributions have generated over 5 billion streams worldwide, solidifying her place as one of the most accomplished independent songwriters and producers of her generation.
Kenneth Makuakāne - Artist, Songwriter, Producer, Author
Kenneth Makuakāne, a native Hawaiian has written, performed, and recorded Hawaiian music for over 45 years. He is a record producer, tv producer, record engineer, arranger, songwriter, touring artist, author, pastor, inspirational speaker, community advocate, lover of all humanity and all creation, kanaka maoli. He has been one of the most active, versatile composers, recording artists, performers, arrangers, engineers, and producers that Hawai‘i has produced. With 24 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards to his credit, he is a prolific composer of Hawaiian music with over 2,000 songs written and many recorded by numerous Hawaiian performers.
Kenneth has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Korea, Japan, and other parts of the world. He has even performed twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He has over two hundred albums to his producing credits and participated in over four hundred fifty album projects, working with renowned Hawaiian artists such as Nā Leo, HAPA, O’brian Eselu, Jeff Rasmussen, Willie K, Mākaha Sons and Grammy-nominated artists such as Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom, Hoʻokena, and Raiatea Helm.
Kenneth Makuakāne, a native Hawaiian has written, performed, and recorded Hawaiian music for over 45 years. He is a record producer, tv producer, record engineer, arranger, songwriter, touring artist, author, pastor, inspirational speaker, community advocate, lover of all humanity and all creation, kanaka maoli. He has been one of the most active, versatile composers, recording artists, performers, arrangers, engineers, and producers that Hawai‘i has produced. With 24 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards to his credit, he is a prolific composer of Hawaiian music with over 2,000 songs written and many recorded by numerous Hawaiian performers.
Kenneth has performed throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Korea, Japan, and other parts of the world. He has even performed twice at Carnegie Hall in New York City. He has over two hundred albums to his producing credits and participated in over four hundred fifty album projects, working with renowned Hawaiian artists such as Nā Leo, HAPA, O’brian Eselu, Jeff Rasmussen, Willie K, Mākaha Sons and Grammy-nominated artists such as Amy Hānaiali‘i Gilliom, Hoʻokena, and Raiatea Helm.
Bill Meyer - Music Attorney
Bill began practicing business law in Hawai'i in 1979. His practice emphasizes intellectual property law (including copyright, trademark and right of publicity licensing and registration, entertainment, trade secret, art and advertising matters); government relations; real estate matters; and related dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration and mediation.
For more than four decades, Bill has provided creative legal and business guidance to a broad spectrum of individuals, companies and educational institutions, both in Hawai`i and on the mainland, including intellectual property owners, licensors and licensees such as artists, writers, photographers, television and film producers, actors including major cast members of primetime television dramas, composers, software and game developers, publishers, advertisers, broadcasters, art gallery owners, entertainers, recording artists, musicians, record labels, architects, scientists, apparel designers and merchandisers. Bill’s clients have included the University of Hawai'i, local, national and international media companies and many of Hawai'i's top recording artists, record labels and film makers. Bill’s government relations work has promoted the diversification of Hawai`i’s economy through the adoption of legislation which has enhanced the development of the creative and high tech industries.
Bill has taught at the William S. Richardson School of Law and the Pacific New Media Workshop at University of Hawai`i at Manoa, and the Hawai`i Music Institute at Windward Community College. He served as a court appointed mediator for the United States District Court for the District of Hawai'i in connection with intellectual property issues. He is past Chair of the Intellectual Property & Technology Section of the Hawai'i State Bar Association, and a frequent speaker on intellectual property, music, art, advertising, e‐commerce and Internet law, and has authored numerous articles and other materials on this subject matter, including continuing legal education materials for the Hawai'i State Bar Association and other organizations and publishers.
Bill is active in community organizations dedicated to the promotion of literacy, the preservation of Hawai'i’s host culture and the arts and devotes time to a pro bono practice which assists creative individuals with their legal and business issues and mentors young lawyers interested in the creative industries. He has served on the Board of Governors of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts and on the board of the Hawai'i Songwriting Festival, and has served as special counsel to the Hawai'i International Film Festival and the Academy For Creative Media at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. In 2002 Bill received the Loyal Garner Award at the 6th Annual Hawai'i Music Awards for his service to Hawai'i’s music industry. And, he loves to play drums.
Bill began practicing business law in Hawai'i in 1979. His practice emphasizes intellectual property law (including copyright, trademark and right of publicity licensing and registration, entertainment, trade secret, art and advertising matters); government relations; real estate matters; and related dispute resolution including litigation, arbitration and mediation.
For more than four decades, Bill has provided creative legal and business guidance to a broad spectrum of individuals, companies and educational institutions, both in Hawai`i and on the mainland, including intellectual property owners, licensors and licensees such as artists, writers, photographers, television and film producers, actors including major cast members of primetime television dramas, composers, software and game developers, publishers, advertisers, broadcasters, art gallery owners, entertainers, recording artists, musicians, record labels, architects, scientists, apparel designers and merchandisers. Bill’s clients have included the University of Hawai'i, local, national and international media companies and many of Hawai'i's top recording artists, record labels and film makers. Bill’s government relations work has promoted the diversification of Hawai`i’s economy through the adoption of legislation which has enhanced the development of the creative and high tech industries.
Bill has taught at the William S. Richardson School of Law and the Pacific New Media Workshop at University of Hawai`i at Manoa, and the Hawai`i Music Institute at Windward Community College. He served as a court appointed mediator for the United States District Court for the District of Hawai'i in connection with intellectual property issues. He is past Chair of the Intellectual Property & Technology Section of the Hawai'i State Bar Association, and a frequent speaker on intellectual property, music, art, advertising, e‐commerce and Internet law, and has authored numerous articles and other materials on this subject matter, including continuing legal education materials for the Hawai'i State Bar Association and other organizations and publishers.
Bill is active in community organizations dedicated to the promotion of literacy, the preservation of Hawai'i’s host culture and the arts and devotes time to a pro bono practice which assists creative individuals with their legal and business issues and mentors young lawyers interested in the creative industries. He has served on the Board of Governors of the Hawai'i Academy of Recording Arts and on the board of the Hawai'i Songwriting Festival, and has served as special counsel to the Hawai'i International Film Festival and the Academy For Creative Media at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. In 2002 Bill received the Loyal Garner Award at the 6th Annual Hawai'i Music Awards for his service to Hawai'i’s music industry. And, he loves to play drums.
Farnell Newton - A&R, Songwriter, Producer
Trumpet player, award-winning producer, music licensing A&R, and family man. Farnell Newton (he/him) is one of the most versatile musicians in the game, releasing dozens of records spanning jazz, funk, Latin music, soul, hip hop, low-fi and more.
Throughout his illustrious career, Farnell has toured the world playing with multi Grammy winner, Jill Scott, the legendary Bootsy Collins, and The Portland Cello Project to name a few. Farnell has also shared the stage with a who’s who of world-class artists, including Aretha Franklin, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Preservation Hall, Stevie Wonder, Karl Denson, Lettuce, George Duke, and more.
When he’s not on stage, Farnell is composing and recording music for Marmoset and his own sync start-up, Formation Sound. His songs have graced commercials for Uber, Adidas, Puma, Facebook, NFL, Redbull, and many renowned brands. Farnell is based in Portland, Oregon.
Trumpet player, award-winning producer, music licensing A&R, and family man. Farnell Newton (he/him) is one of the most versatile musicians in the game, releasing dozens of records spanning jazz, funk, Latin music, soul, hip hop, low-fi and more.
Throughout his illustrious career, Farnell has toured the world playing with multi Grammy winner, Jill Scott, the legendary Bootsy Collins, and The Portland Cello Project to name a few. Farnell has also shared the stage with a who’s who of world-class artists, including Aretha Franklin, George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic, Preservation Hall, Stevie Wonder, Karl Denson, Lettuce, George Duke, and more.
When he’s not on stage, Farnell is composing and recording music for Marmoset and his own sync start-up, Formation Sound. His songs have graced commercials for Uber, Adidas, Puma, Facebook, NFL, Redbull, and many renowned brands. Farnell is based in Portland, Oregon.
Frank Palazzolo - Music Supervisor
Los Angeles-based music supervisor Frank Palazzolo has worked on over 1,000 episodes of television during his 18-year career, along with several films and advertising spots. While Frank believes that 1994 is one of the best years of music in existence, he loves ALL genres and eras of music, which can be heard in his work beginning in the Universal Pictures Film Music department, throughout his successful collaboration alongside Emmy-nominated music supervisor, Liza Richardson, and now in his own ventures with ctrl+F music.
When he’s not seeking out the newest artists to spotlight throughout his projects, Frank can be found brewery-hopping, watching Alabama Football and Formula 1 or trying his best to entertain his children on any one of the many playgrounds in the neighborhood.
At ctrl+F music, Frank has recently worked on Surface Season 2 (AppleTV+), The Waterfront (Netflix), Shelter (Feature) and now working on BISHOP, which will be coming to Amazon TV this winter.
Los Angeles-based music supervisor Frank Palazzolo has worked on over 1,000 episodes of television during his 18-year career, along with several films and advertising spots. While Frank believes that 1994 is one of the best years of music in existence, he loves ALL genres and eras of music, which can be heard in his work beginning in the Universal Pictures Film Music department, throughout his successful collaboration alongside Emmy-nominated music supervisor, Liza Richardson, and now in his own ventures with ctrl+F music.
When he’s not seeking out the newest artists to spotlight throughout his projects, Frank can be found brewery-hopping, watching Alabama Football and Formula 1 or trying his best to entertain his children on any one of the many playgrounds in the neighborhood.
At ctrl+F music, Frank has recently worked on Surface Season 2 (AppleTV+), The Waterfront (Netflix), Shelter (Feature) and now working on BISHOP, which will be coming to Amazon TV this winter.
Shannon Palazzolo - Music Licensing
Shannon has been an integral part of helping independent artists land placements in hit TV shows, national & global Advertisements, major studio Films, movie and video game Trailers, and everything in between. With a strong ear for lyrics and love of artists who fall left-of-center, Shannon is always looking for new music to fall in love with. She takes pride in her music education work done through panel discussions and speaker engagements ranging from the LA College of Music to SXSW.
With a background in artist management, Shannon spent six years at Brick Wall Management in New York City, working with their large roster of artists and producers that included Citizen Cope, Marc Broussard, The Clarks, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ari Hest. After moving to LA and working on Ingrid Michelson’s management team, Shannon was quickly drawn to the licensing side of the industry which ultimately led her to Think Music.
Shannon was introduced to the music industry through a collegiate program at The University of Texas at Austin, assisting the producers for the acclaimed live television program Austin City Limits. After two seasons working on episodes with some of the
biggest artists on the planet (Wilco, Etta James, Pixies, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, The Shins, The Flaming Lips, to name a few), she decided that behind the scenes in the
music industry is where she belonged, and the rest is history.
Shannon also takes pride in her work with non-profit organizations, most notably The Kristen Ann Carr Fund, Alliance Schools, Artist Against Hunger and Poverty, and
Musicians on Call.
Fun fact about me: I’ve kept a list of every concert I have ever been to, and it is over 25 pages long!
Shannon has been an integral part of helping independent artists land placements in hit TV shows, national & global Advertisements, major studio Films, movie and video game Trailers, and everything in between. With a strong ear for lyrics and love of artists who fall left-of-center, Shannon is always looking for new music to fall in love with. She takes pride in her music education work done through panel discussions and speaker engagements ranging from the LA College of Music to SXSW.
With a background in artist management, Shannon spent six years at Brick Wall Management in New York City, working with their large roster of artists and producers that included Citizen Cope, Marc Broussard, The Clarks, and Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Ari Hest. After moving to LA and working on Ingrid Michelson’s management team, Shannon was quickly drawn to the licensing side of the industry which ultimately led her to Think Music.
Shannon was introduced to the music industry through a collegiate program at The University of Texas at Austin, assisting the producers for the acclaimed live television program Austin City Limits. After two seasons working on episodes with some of the
biggest artists on the planet (Wilco, Etta James, Pixies, Elvis Costello, Sheryl Crow, The Shins, The Flaming Lips, to name a few), she decided that behind the scenes in the
music industry is where she belonged, and the rest is history.
Shannon also takes pride in her work with non-profit organizations, most notably The Kristen Ann Carr Fund, Alliance Schools, Artist Against Hunger and Poverty, and
Musicians on Call.
Fun fact about me: I’ve kept a list of every concert I have ever been to, and it is over 25 pages long!
Nitanee Paris - Songwriter, Artist Management
Nitanee Paris is the Director of A&R at ArtistMax, founded by legendary producer Ken Caillat (Fleetwood Mac, Colbie Caillat). She is also the Managing Partner at Marshmellow Skies Immersive Audio Studio, where her team won the 2024 Grammy for their work on Joni Mitchell''s at Newport live album. Paris is the Founder and Creative Director of the micro-sync label, Great Minds Sync Alike, with music credits including PARAMOUNT, CBS Sports, CMT, NETFLIX, MTV, NICKLEODEON, VH1, BET, BRAVO, The CW, HULU, VIACOM/CBS, Comedy Central, the HALLMARK CHANNEL, Apple Fitness, Peloton, NFL Football, and Dignity Health. She is a voting member of the Recording Academy, and she is on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Songwriting Festival, the judging panel of the Intercontinental Music Awards, the SongArts Committee for the Society of Composers and Lyricists, and she is a professor of Songwriting at Cal Lutheran University.
Nitanee Paris is the Director of A&R at ArtistMax, founded by legendary producer Ken Caillat (Fleetwood Mac, Colbie Caillat). She is also the Managing Partner at Marshmellow Skies Immersive Audio Studio, where her team won the 2024 Grammy for their work on Joni Mitchell''s at Newport live album. Paris is the Founder and Creative Director of the micro-sync label, Great Minds Sync Alike, with music credits including PARAMOUNT, CBS Sports, CMT, NETFLIX, MTV, NICKLEODEON, VH1, BET, BRAVO, The CW, HULU, VIACOM/CBS, Comedy Central, the HALLMARK CHANNEL, Apple Fitness, Peloton, NFL Football, and Dignity Health. She is a voting member of the Recording Academy, and she is on the Board of Directors of the Hawaii Songwriting Festival, the judging panel of the Intercontinental Music Awards, the SongArts Committee for the Society of Composers and Lyricists, and she is a professor of Songwriting at Cal Lutheran University.
Kala'e Parish - Songwriter, Artist
Kala‘e Parish is a nine-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning Native Hawaiian singer, songwriter, and producer. His debut album Where I’m Going earned him Album of the Year, Song of the Year (“Kickin’ Back”), and Male Vocalist of the Year amongst other notable awards at the 2025 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. His music has been licensed by major brands such as Yeti and Pacifico Beer, as well as featured in popular Netflix series. He has shared the stage with top country artists including Billy Currington, Brett Young, and LeAnn Rimes. As an indigenous artist, he continues to write, compose, and release his own original music inspired by the beautiful countryside of Hawai’i.
Kala‘e Parish is a nine-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning Native Hawaiian singer, songwriter, and producer. His debut album Where I’m Going earned him Album of the Year, Song of the Year (“Kickin’ Back”), and Male Vocalist of the Year amongst other notable awards at the 2025 Nā Hōkū Hanohano Awards. His music has been licensed by major brands such as Yeti and Pacifico Beer, as well as featured in popular Netflix series. He has shared the stage with top country artists including Billy Currington, Brett Young, and LeAnn Rimes. As an indigenous artist, he continues to write, compose, and release his own original music inspired by the beautiful countryside of Hawai’i.
Kalenaku Parish - Songwriter, Artist, HARA President
Kalena Parish, "Kalenaku," is an eight-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artist and former keyboardist and vocalist for the acclaimed band Kapena. Kalena is a powerhouse vocalist, classically trained in piano and voice, with over 25 years of experience as a live musician and entertainer, touring and performing all over the world. In 2021, she founded the non-profit Kapena School of Music, where she serves as Executive Director. Alongside her ongoing music career, Kalena dedicates her time to supporting the local music community as the President of the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts and as a board member for the Hawaii Songwriting Festival.
Kalena Parish, "Kalenaku," is an eight-time Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning artist and former keyboardist and vocalist for the acclaimed band Kapena. Kalena is a powerhouse vocalist, classically trained in piano and voice, with over 25 years of experience as a live musician and entertainer, touring and performing all over the world. In 2021, she founded the non-profit Kapena School of Music, where she serves as Executive Director. Alongside her ongoing music career, Kalena dedicates her time to supporting the local music community as the President of the Hawaii Academy of Recording Arts and as a board member for the Hawaii Songwriting Festival.
Whitney A. Pilzer - Music Supervisor, Consultant
Whitney Pilzer is a Music Supervisor for TV & film.
Some of her recent credits include The Umbrella Academy on Netflix, Atlanta on FX, The Company You Keep on ABC, Will Trent on ABC, School Spirits on Paramount+, WeCrashed on AppleTV, The Offer on Paramount+ and Yellowjackets Season 1 on Showtime. She has also contributed to blockbuster projects such as Euphoria (HBO), Thirteen Reasons Why (Netflix), Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros.) and Ocean’s Eight (Warner Bros.). Previously, she served as an executive at Lionsgate/Starz, overseeing the robust Starz television slate, including projects such as The Power Universe and Blindspotting.
Whitney lives in Hilo and is dedicated to helping local creators find success in their careers.
Whitney Pilzer is a Music Supervisor for TV & film.
Some of her recent credits include The Umbrella Academy on Netflix, Atlanta on FX, The Company You Keep on ABC, Will Trent on ABC, School Spirits on Paramount+, WeCrashed on AppleTV, The Offer on Paramount+ and Yellowjackets Season 1 on Showtime. She has also contributed to blockbuster projects such as Euphoria (HBO), Thirteen Reasons Why (Netflix), Crazy Rich Asians (Warner Bros.) and Ocean’s Eight (Warner Bros.). Previously, she served as an executive at Lionsgate/Starz, overseeing the robust Starz television slate, including projects such as The Power Universe and Blindspotting.
Whitney lives in Hilo and is dedicated to helping local creators find success in their careers.
Nellie Rajabi - Music Supervisor
Nellie Rajabi is a GMS award-winning Music Supervisor who has worked across film, television, trailers and promos, and commercial content since 2014. Her in-house experience includes roles at Google and Apple, where she helped shape how music and sound bring brand storytelling to life. She has also served as a judge for the Clio Awards and AICP Show. Nellie is drawn to the discovery side of the craft — finding the right song, artist, or sound to serve a story — and brings that same curiosity to mentoring emerging songwriters.
Nellie Rajabi is a GMS award-winning Music Supervisor who has worked across film, television, trailers and promos, and commercial content since 2014. Her in-house experience includes roles at Google and Apple, where she helped shape how music and sound bring brand storytelling to life. She has also served as a judge for the Clio Awards and AICP Show. Nellie is drawn to the discovery side of the craft — finding the right song, artist, or sound to serve a story — and brings that same curiosity to mentoring emerging songwriters.
Amy Roberts - Sync Licensing and Publishing
Amy Roberts has over two decades of diversified experience in synch, creative, licensing & admin. She has been part of PEN Music Group, Inc. since 2021 and currently co-runs the synch department. Early in her career she worked in licensing & admin for TouchTunes Music Corporation. From 2003 – 2020 she acted as synch & licensing manager for Bosshouse Music. From 2015 – 2020, Amy worked for Round Hill Music as Senior Director Creative Marketing. She additionally ran synch and licensing/admin for Sottophonic Music from 2017 – 2024. In 2014, Amy founded Broadest Spectrum Music representing artists and music catalogs in the US and abroad for synch. She has helped secure hundreds of synch placements over the years, with a stand-out achievement of 250 artist song placements in the Shameless series on Showtime. Amy is also a professional singer, songwriter and voice coach who received her BFA in Fine Arts from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
Amy Roberts has over two decades of diversified experience in synch, creative, licensing & admin. She has been part of PEN Music Group, Inc. since 2021 and currently co-runs the synch department. Early in her career she worked in licensing & admin for TouchTunes Music Corporation. From 2003 – 2020 she acted as synch & licensing manager for Bosshouse Music. From 2015 – 2020, Amy worked for Round Hill Music as Senior Director Creative Marketing. She additionally ran synch and licensing/admin for Sottophonic Music from 2017 – 2024. In 2014, Amy founded Broadest Spectrum Music representing artists and music catalogs in the US and abroad for synch. She has helped secure hundreds of synch placements over the years, with a stand-out achievement of 250 artist song placements in the Shameless series on Showtime. Amy is also a professional singer, songwriter and voice coach who received her BFA in Fine Arts from the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.
Scott Settle - Attorney
Scott is the managing partner at Settle Meyer Law, a boutique law firm based in Honolulu that specializes in business, real estate, finance, and intellectual property and entertainment law. HSF president Julia Brotman has been an attorney at Settle Meyer Law since 2017, and the firm is one of HSF's key supporters.
Scott is a skilled attorney with 30 years of experience in real estate, business and finance law. His development and business background provides a practical and insightful viewpoint in approaching unique issues and complex transactions, and he has a keen ability to find “outside of the box” solutions where others may see unsolvable problems. His experiences and commitment to the local community give Scott the ability to help clients understand and successfully navigate Hawai‘i’s customs and business environment.
At HSF, Scott will provide attendees with information and guidance about how to structure their business and protect themselves from liability and exposure as their music career grows, how to protect and manage their intellectual property, and what role an experienced attorney can play in building a team to support them in their music career.
Scott is the managing partner at Settle Meyer Law, a boutique law firm based in Honolulu that specializes in business, real estate, finance, and intellectual property and entertainment law. HSF president Julia Brotman has been an attorney at Settle Meyer Law since 2017, and the firm is one of HSF's key supporters.
Scott is a skilled attorney with 30 years of experience in real estate, business and finance law. His development and business background provides a practical and insightful viewpoint in approaching unique issues and complex transactions, and he has a keen ability to find “outside of the box” solutions where others may see unsolvable problems. His experiences and commitment to the local community give Scott the ability to help clients understand and successfully navigate Hawai‘i’s customs and business environment.
At HSF, Scott will provide attendees with information and guidance about how to structure their business and protect themselves from liability and exposure as their music career grows, how to protect and manage their intellectual property, and what role an experienced attorney can play in building a team to support them in their music career.
Liz Sharpe - Songwriter, Producer, Music Licensing
Liz Sharpe is an Emmy-winning songwriter, producer, music supervisor, A&R Director, and educator—and a seasoned female producer and performer with decades of experience—spanning songwriting, production, publishing, and synchronization. Her career bridges high-level creative work with business strategy. Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Piano, Composition, and Voice from Rollins College and a Master of Music in Music Technology (Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games) from Southern Utah University. She is an Avid Certified Pro Tools Instructor, works across multiple digital audio workstations including Pro Tools and Logic Pro, and is currently pursuing certification in game audio to further expand her expertise in interactive media.
In addition to her industry work, Liz has taught master-level courses and lectures in music marketing and branding, synchronization, publishing, and songwriting, equipping students with both creative and entrepreneurial skill sets. She currently teaches at Troy University, Southern Utah University, as a guest lecturer at Belmont University, and leads songwriting courses at Lipscomb Academy. Liz is also proud to sit on synchronization panels nationwide, where she inspires artists to pursue their creative paths while helping them understand and adapt to the rapidly evolving music marketplace. Her teaching approach emphasizes real-world application, preparing students to navigate the industry with a strong foundation in both artistry and business.
Professionally, Liz has collaborated across genres including pop, hip-hop, country, bluegrass, K-Pop, Christian, and cinematic music, working with artists such as Michael Bolton, Arrested Development, and Van Hunt. A former touring musician with Michael Bolton, Holly Williams, and Zac Brown—and a member of the Zac Brown–discovered band Little Feather—she brings extensive performance and recording experience into the classroom. Liz is currently a writer/producer for Bell Publishing/Savage Sync House and Firefly Sweden. Her music has been featured in major placements including NBC’s The Voice, CW’s All American, Apple TV’s Amber Brown, Netflix’s Selling Sunset, Fox NFL, and national campaigns for global brands. She currently serves as A&R Director for Bell Partners Worldwide and works in music supervision with Songs for Film & TV, where she develops talent, oversees catalog strategy, and facilitates music placements across media.
Liz is also the founder of SOS, an online academy focused on synchronization, marketing, and branding, designed to provide accessible, industry-relevant education for emerging creators. She is concurrently developing a book that expands on these principles, further supporting artists in building sustainable, strategic careers.
Liz Sharpe is an Emmy-winning songwriter, producer, music supervisor, A&R Director, and educator—and a seasoned female producer and performer with decades of experience—spanning songwriting, production, publishing, and synchronization. Her career bridges high-level creative work with business strategy. Liz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Piano, Composition, and Voice from Rollins College and a Master of Music in Music Technology (Scoring for Film, Television, and Video Games) from Southern Utah University. She is an Avid Certified Pro Tools Instructor, works across multiple digital audio workstations including Pro Tools and Logic Pro, and is currently pursuing certification in game audio to further expand her expertise in interactive media.
In addition to her industry work, Liz has taught master-level courses and lectures in music marketing and branding, synchronization, publishing, and songwriting, equipping students with both creative and entrepreneurial skill sets. She currently teaches at Troy University, Southern Utah University, as a guest lecturer at Belmont University, and leads songwriting courses at Lipscomb Academy. Liz is also proud to sit on synchronization panels nationwide, where she inspires artists to pursue their creative paths while helping them understand and adapt to the rapidly evolving music marketplace. Her teaching approach emphasizes real-world application, preparing students to navigate the industry with a strong foundation in both artistry and business.
Professionally, Liz has collaborated across genres including pop, hip-hop, country, bluegrass, K-Pop, Christian, and cinematic music, working with artists such as Michael Bolton, Arrested Development, and Van Hunt. A former touring musician with Michael Bolton, Holly Williams, and Zac Brown—and a member of the Zac Brown–discovered band Little Feather—she brings extensive performance and recording experience into the classroom. Liz is currently a writer/producer for Bell Publishing/Savage Sync House and Firefly Sweden. Her music has been featured in major placements including NBC’s The Voice, CW’s All American, Apple TV’s Amber Brown, Netflix’s Selling Sunset, Fox NFL, and national campaigns for global brands. She currently serves as A&R Director for Bell Partners Worldwide and works in music supervision with Songs for Film & TV, where she develops talent, oversees catalog strategy, and facilitates music placements across media.
Liz is also the founder of SOS, an online academy focused on synchronization, marketing, and branding, designed to provide accessible, industry-relevant education for emerging creators. She is concurrently developing a book that expands on these principles, further supporting artists in building sustainable, strategic careers.
Pam Sheyne - Songwriter, Mentor
Pam Sheyne is a multi-platinum, Ivor Novello Award–winning and Grammy-nominated songwriter whose work has contributed to over 50 million records sold and more than 100 platinum certifications worldwide.
She is best known for co-writing Christina Aguilera’s global No. 1 hit “Genie in a Bottle” and has written songs recorded by artists including Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Jason Derulo, Seal, Backstreet Boys, Camila Cabello, and Pink Pantheress. Her work has also featured in numerous major film and television productions, including The Princess Diaries, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, and The Young Victoria.
As a vocalist, she has recorded and/or toured with artists including Elton John, Celine Dion, Pet Shop Boys, Cyndi Lauper, Tom Jones, Daryl Hall, Dave Stewart, and Bryan Adams.
A respected mentor and educator for more than two decades, Pam is co-founder of SongWriterCamps and a founding board member of Songwriters of North America (SONA), where she helped advocate for songwriter rights and the passage of the Music Modernization Act.
Pam Sheyne is a multi-platinum, Ivor Novello Award–winning and Grammy-nominated songwriter whose work has contributed to over 50 million records sold and more than 100 platinum certifications worldwide.
She is best known for co-writing Christina Aguilera’s global No. 1 hit “Genie in a Bottle” and has written songs recorded by artists including Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Jason Derulo, Seal, Backstreet Boys, Camila Cabello, and Pink Pantheress. Her work has also featured in numerous major film and television productions, including The Princess Diaries, Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen, and The Young Victoria.
As a vocalist, she has recorded and/or toured with artists including Elton John, Celine Dion, Pet Shop Boys, Cyndi Lauper, Tom Jones, Daryl Hall, Dave Stewart, and Bryan Adams.
A respected mentor and educator for more than two decades, Pam is co-founder of SongWriterCamps and a founding board member of Songwriters of North America (SONA), where she helped advocate for songwriter rights and the passage of the Music Modernization Act.
Zach Sorgen - Songwriter, Artist, Producer
Zach Sorgen is an American songwriter, producer, and vocalist whose work bridges pop, R&B, electronic, and K-pop across the United States and Asia. His credits include No. 1 releases in South Korea and China, music featured in Netflix films and global television campaigns, and an appearance on NBC’s Songland, where he collaborated with Ryan Tedder and Charlie Puth.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sorgen earned a B.A. in Music from Vassar College, studying jazz, classical composition, and musical theater. After relocating to Los Angeles, he began writing and producing for electronic artists including DVBBS, Tritonal, Sultan + Shepard, Justin Mylo, and Slander.
His songwriting and production credits now span artists such as KAI, aespa, Terror Jr, Dinah Jane, Common Kings, James Reid, TOKiMONSTA, and Conor Maynard. Highlights include Terror Jr’s breakout single “Come First,” KAI’s “Peaches,” which reached No.1 on iTunes in more than 60 countries, TNT’s No.1 single “Starry Night” in China, and “Die Trying,” recorded by aespa and TOKiMONSTA for the Netflix film Rebel Moon II.
In recent years, Sorgen has expanded his presence in the Chinese market, writing and producing for leading artists including Song Yaxuan and Liu Yaowen of Teens In Times, Victor Ma, Wang Ziyi, Yan Haoxiang, Yao Chen, Meng Jia, R.E.D, Xin Liu, and Esther Yu, establishing himself as a cross-market songwriter working fluently between Western and Asian pop ecosystems.
Beyond artist releases, Sorgen is active in film and television synchronization with placements across Netflix, Hulu, Disney, MTV, HBO, ABC, BET, CBS, Hallmark, and The CW. He also composed the theme music for Netflix’s official podcast Skip Intro, and recorded character theme songs for the video games Fate Trigger and Reverse: 1999, further expanding his work into the global gaming market.
As an artist, he is the lead vocalist of the dance trio Wake the Wild, and his solo track “Sugarsweet” has been widely used on TikTok. Songs written or co-written by Sorgen have accumulated over 200 million streams on Spotify.
Zach Sorgen is an American songwriter, producer, and vocalist whose work bridges pop, R&B, electronic, and K-pop across the United States and Asia. His credits include No. 1 releases in South Korea and China, music featured in Netflix films and global television campaigns, and an appearance on NBC’s Songland, where he collaborated with Ryan Tedder and Charlie Puth.
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Sorgen earned a B.A. in Music from Vassar College, studying jazz, classical composition, and musical theater. After relocating to Los Angeles, he began writing and producing for electronic artists including DVBBS, Tritonal, Sultan + Shepard, Justin Mylo, and Slander.
His songwriting and production credits now span artists such as KAI, aespa, Terror Jr, Dinah Jane, Common Kings, James Reid, TOKiMONSTA, and Conor Maynard. Highlights include Terror Jr’s breakout single “Come First,” KAI’s “Peaches,” which reached No.1 on iTunes in more than 60 countries, TNT’s No.1 single “Starry Night” in China, and “Die Trying,” recorded by aespa and TOKiMONSTA for the Netflix film Rebel Moon II.
In recent years, Sorgen has expanded his presence in the Chinese market, writing and producing for leading artists including Song Yaxuan and Liu Yaowen of Teens In Times, Victor Ma, Wang Ziyi, Yan Haoxiang, Yao Chen, Meng Jia, R.E.D, Xin Liu, and Esther Yu, establishing himself as a cross-market songwriter working fluently between Western and Asian pop ecosystems.
Beyond artist releases, Sorgen is active in film and television synchronization with placements across Netflix, Hulu, Disney, MTV, HBO, ABC, BET, CBS, Hallmark, and The CW. He also composed the theme music for Netflix’s official podcast Skip Intro, and recorded character theme songs for the video games Fate Trigger and Reverse: 1999, further expanding his work into the global gaming market.
As an artist, he is the lead vocalist of the dance trio Wake the Wild, and his solo track “Sugarsweet” has been widely used on TikTok. Songs written or co-written by Sorgen have accumulated over 200 million streams on Spotify.
Garrison Starr - Artist, Songwriter
Garrison Starr is a Grammy nominated singer songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles. She scored her first hit with 1997’s acclaimed “Superhero”, and then went on to release 15 solo albums, and tour with Melissa Etheridge, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Lilith Fair. Starr’s songs have appeared on countless TV show like Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Nashville, Hart od Dixie, Switched at Birth, and many others. Starr's shows have been described as "marrying pop smarts and Americana grit with a voice of remarkable power and clarity".
Garrison Starr is a Grammy nominated singer songwriter and producer based in Los Angeles. She scored her first hit with 1997’s acclaimed “Superhero”, and then went on to release 15 solo albums, and tour with Melissa Etheridge, Mary Chapin Carpenter, and Lilith Fair. Starr’s songs have appeared on countless TV show like Grey’s Anatomy, Pretty Little Liars, Nashville, Hart od Dixie, Switched at Birth, and many others. Starr's shows have been described as "marrying pop smarts and Americana grit with a voice of remarkable power and clarity".
Josh Stephens - Songwriter, Producer
Josh is an award-winning songwriter and producer from Mililani, HI. He is the co-founder of the local music agency, Craft Brewz Music LLC, and the songwriting/production team, TheBrewz, and an affiliate Twitch streamer in his spare time. Prior to this he was a live musician, busker on the streets of Waikiki, competing national jump roper, and speed jumping national record holder.
Since 2017 Craft Brewz Music has hosted 20+ private writing camps, worked on over 500 songs, including high-profile collaborations with Grammy-nominated artist Kimié Miner, 2x Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning rapper Thomas Iannucci, PARTY FOUL ex-CROSSING RAIN, Ragamuffs, Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of multi-platinum band P.O.D., former After School K-pop Idol Bekah Kim and many more, and has also landed 300+ license placements. In addition to their creative services Craft Brewz Music also serves as the catalog manager for Pat Boone’s Gold Label, 4x Grammy Award Winning artist Kalani Pe’a, Imua Garza’s Zeo Music, Kimié Miner.
Josh is an award-winning songwriter and producer from Mililani, HI. He is the co-founder of the local music agency, Craft Brewz Music LLC, and the songwriting/production team, TheBrewz, and an affiliate Twitch streamer in his spare time. Prior to this he was a live musician, busker on the streets of Waikiki, competing national jump roper, and speed jumping national record holder.
Since 2017 Craft Brewz Music has hosted 20+ private writing camps, worked on over 500 songs, including high-profile collaborations with Grammy-nominated artist Kimié Miner, 2x Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning rapper Thomas Iannucci, PARTY FOUL ex-CROSSING RAIN, Ragamuffs, Sonny Sandoval, lead singer of multi-platinum band P.O.D., former After School K-pop Idol Bekah Kim and many more, and has also landed 300+ license placements. In addition to their creative services Craft Brewz Music also serves as the catalog manager for Pat Boone’s Gold Label, 4x Grammy Award Winning artist Kalani Pe’a, Imua Garza’s Zeo Music, Kimié Miner.
Olivia Taphorn - Production Music
Olivia Taphorn is the Creative Director of Licensing at Warner Chappell Production Music, where she leads licensing strategy across Trailers, Video Games, Sports, and select Film & TV projects. In her role, she oversees custom music initiatives, including trailerizations and bespoke cover productions, helping clients bring creative concepts to life through tailored music solutions.
Olivia works closely with the Warner Chappell Sync team to deliver a seamless, 360 approach to music licensing, bridging creative and commercial opportunities across the entertainment landscape. With a strong focus on strategic partnership development and innovative music placement, she brings a unique perspective on what makes songs resonate across media.
In addition to her role at Warner Chappell Production Music, Olivia is an independent Music Supervisor. Most recently, she served as Music Supervisor for the video game Dispatch, earning a GMS (Guild of Music Supervisors) Award nomination for her work on the project.
Olivia Taphorn is the Creative Director of Licensing at Warner Chappell Production Music, where she leads licensing strategy across Trailers, Video Games, Sports, and select Film & TV projects. In her role, she oversees custom music initiatives, including trailerizations and bespoke cover productions, helping clients bring creative concepts to life through tailored music solutions.
Olivia works closely with the Warner Chappell Sync team to deliver a seamless, 360 approach to music licensing, bridging creative and commercial opportunities across the entertainment landscape. With a strong focus on strategic partnership development and innovative music placement, she brings a unique perspective on what makes songs resonate across media.
In addition to her role at Warner Chappell Production Music, Olivia is an independent Music Supervisor. Most recently, she served as Music Supervisor for the video game Dispatch, earning a GMS (Guild of Music Supervisors) Award nomination for her work on the project.
Ralph Torrefranca - Music Publishing A&R
Ralph Torrefranca is Executive Director of A&R at Angry Mob Music, where he leads creative development across the company’s songwriter, artist, and producer roster. With nearly two decades in the music industry, Ralph has built a career around championing emerging talent and nurturing long-term artistry. Prior to joining Angry Mob, he held roles at Red Light Management and Grandstand Media, where he managed artists and led development efforts. He began his career as the youngest DJ in the history of KJEE Santa Barbara, later expanding into PR and touring with artists such as Ben Gibbard, Jackson Browne, Radiohead, and Local Natives.
At Angry Mob, Ralph has played a key role in identifying and developing a diverse group of writers and producers, including Bailey Bryan (Shaboozey, Kiana Ledé), Jake Scott (Platinum-certified hits including Russell Dickerson’s “She Likes It”), Joe Pepe (iann dior, Travis Barker), and Bus (Ty Dolla $ign, Kendrick Lamar).
He is also the founder of Angry Mob's New Normal Writing Camp, a diversity-focused songwriting initiative, and has authored a widely shared Billboard op-ed on equity and representation in writers' rooms. In addition to his publishing work, Ralph is the frontman of the post-punk band Cuffed Up and an award-winning filmmaker whose work has been recognized by Sundance, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Academy Nicholl Fellowship.
Ralph Torrefranca is Executive Director of A&R at Angry Mob Music, where he leads creative development across the company’s songwriter, artist, and producer roster. With nearly two decades in the music industry, Ralph has built a career around championing emerging talent and nurturing long-term artistry. Prior to joining Angry Mob, he held roles at Red Light Management and Grandstand Media, where he managed artists and led development efforts. He began his career as the youngest DJ in the history of KJEE Santa Barbara, later expanding into PR and touring with artists such as Ben Gibbard, Jackson Browne, Radiohead, and Local Natives.
At Angry Mob, Ralph has played a key role in identifying and developing a diverse group of writers and producers, including Bailey Bryan (Shaboozey, Kiana Ledé), Jake Scott (Platinum-certified hits including Russell Dickerson’s “She Likes It”), Joe Pepe (iann dior, Travis Barker), and Bus (Ty Dolla $ign, Kendrick Lamar).
He is also the founder of Angry Mob's New Normal Writing Camp, a diversity-focused songwriting initiative, and has authored a widely shared Billboard op-ed on equity and representation in writers' rooms. In addition to his publishing work, Ralph is the frontman of the post-punk band Cuffed Up and an award-winning filmmaker whose work has been recognized by Sundance, Santa Barbara International Film Festival and the Academy Nicholl Fellowship.
Chaz Umamoto - Music Licensing/A&R
Chaz Umamoto is a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning A&R, songwriter, music producer, and CEO and co-founder of Craft Brewz Music Agency — where he believes that creating music in Hawai'i should be done with great artisanal care and intention. Craft Brewz Music is in the business of creating great songs, repping the diversity of Hawai’i’s music for licensing and developing producers & songwriters to work competitively in Film & TV.
After years in Los Angeles, Chaz returned home to Hawai'i with a mission: to create real jobs and opportunities in music for local artists. Since 2019, Craft Brewz Music has hosted 20+ private writing camps and landed more than 500 sync placements. Notable collaborations include Grammy-nominated artist Kimié Miner, 2x Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning rapper Thomas Iannucci, Sonny Sandoval of multi-platinum band P.O.D., and former K-pop idol Bekah, among others.
In 2025, Chaz scored his first feature-length documentary — KULEANA, a film on the impact of plastic pollution and micro-plastics in Hawai'i. The film debuted at the Hawai'i International Film Festival, directed and produced by Georgia Scott of GroundTruth Productions, and narrated by Woody Harrelson.
Chaz first attended HSF in 2011 after winning a songwriting scholarship through his creative writing class at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa — an experience he credits as a primary accelerator in his 20+ year career in music. Songwriting will always be his first love, but has found his purpose in serving his community and creating more opportunities for musicians in Hawai’i to thrive. He currently serves as an HSF board member and also serves on the Spectra Foundation board the local host of Creative Mornings HNL.
Chaz Umamoto is a multiple Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning A&R, songwriter, music producer, and CEO and co-founder of Craft Brewz Music Agency — where he believes that creating music in Hawai'i should be done with great artisanal care and intention. Craft Brewz Music is in the business of creating great songs, repping the diversity of Hawai’i’s music for licensing and developing producers & songwriters to work competitively in Film & TV.
After years in Los Angeles, Chaz returned home to Hawai'i with a mission: to create real jobs and opportunities in music for local artists. Since 2019, Craft Brewz Music has hosted 20+ private writing camps and landed more than 500 sync placements. Notable collaborations include Grammy-nominated artist Kimié Miner, 2x Nā Hōkū Hanohano Award-winning rapper Thomas Iannucci, Sonny Sandoval of multi-platinum band P.O.D., and former K-pop idol Bekah, among others.
In 2025, Chaz scored his first feature-length documentary — KULEANA, a film on the impact of plastic pollution and micro-plastics in Hawai'i. The film debuted at the Hawai'i International Film Festival, directed and produced by Georgia Scott of GroundTruth Productions, and narrated by Woody Harrelson.
Chaz first attended HSF in 2011 after winning a songwriting scholarship through his creative writing class at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa — an experience he credits as a primary accelerator in his 20+ year career in music. Songwriting will always be his first love, but has found his purpose in serving his community and creating more opportunities for musicians in Hawai’i to thrive. He currently serves as an HSF board member and also serves on the Spectra Foundation board the local host of Creative Mornings HNL.
Marilynn Wexler - Music Licensing
With over ten years of experience in the music licensing industry, Marilynn currently serves as Creative Partnerships Manager at Marmoset, where she leads the Client Services team. Her adolescence was steeped in music, and combined with a film school background, it fostered a deep appreciation for the intersection of music and visual media. She enjoys collaborating with clients to develop their sonic identity through Marmoset’s robust roster of independent artists and composers, building lasting relationships with brands and agencies that value the importance of supporting real musicians. Marilynn's clients include the in-house creative teams for Apple, Google, Anthropic, Uber, and Meta as well as many major ad agencies, including Wieden + Kennedy, Ogilvy, AKQA, BBDO, and Publicis Groupe.
With over ten years of experience in the music licensing industry, Marilynn currently serves as Creative Partnerships Manager at Marmoset, where she leads the Client Services team. Her adolescence was steeped in music, and combined with a film school background, it fostered a deep appreciation for the intersection of music and visual media. She enjoys collaborating with clients to develop their sonic identity through Marmoset’s robust roster of independent artists and composers, building lasting relationships with brands and agencies that value the importance of supporting real musicians. Marilynn's clients include the in-house creative teams for Apple, Google, Anthropic, Uber, and Meta as well as many major ad agencies, including Wieden + Kennedy, Ogilvy, AKQA, BBDO, and Publicis Groupe.
Ryan Wines - Music Licensing
Ryan Wines is Founder and CEO of Marmoset: a global music agency based in Portland, Oregon. Ryan has done it all — from music supervision for global brand campaigns, to producing records, and scouting and signing award-winning talent. He’s launched and managed multiple record labels, managed bands, worked at advertising agencies, and was a college radio DJ at his alma mater, Southern Oregon University.
Under Ryan’s leadership, Marmoset became the first Certified B Corp in the industry, the first to invest 10% of profits into community partners, and the only music company brave enough issue an Annual Transparency Report, raising awareness to systemic inequalities in music, media and tech industries. A fiery advocate of creators, Ryan gave a TED Talk about "leading creatives amidst a modern landscape" and has given talks on music licensing, music producing, workplace culture, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at places like SXSW, CMJ Music Festival, TechFest NW and regularly guest lectures at universities far and wide.
He’s a member of The Guild of Music Supervisors, has served on the Board of Governors for The Recording Academy (The Grammys), and in his free time, he’s committed to mentoring, equity work, and serves on multiple community boards. Marmoset is a longtime supporter of the Hawaii Songwriting Festival.
Ryan Wines is Founder and CEO of Marmoset: a global music agency based in Portland, Oregon. Ryan has done it all — from music supervision for global brand campaigns, to producing records, and scouting and signing award-winning talent. He’s launched and managed multiple record labels, managed bands, worked at advertising agencies, and was a college radio DJ at his alma mater, Southern Oregon University.
Under Ryan’s leadership, Marmoset became the first Certified B Corp in the industry, the first to invest 10% of profits into community partners, and the only music company brave enough issue an Annual Transparency Report, raising awareness to systemic inequalities in music, media and tech industries. A fiery advocate of creators, Ryan gave a TED Talk about "leading creatives amidst a modern landscape" and has given talks on music licensing, music producing, workplace culture, and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at places like SXSW, CMJ Music Festival, TechFest NW and regularly guest lectures at universities far and wide.
He’s a member of The Guild of Music Supervisors, has served on the Board of Governors for The Recording Academy (The Grammys), and in his free time, he’s committed to mentoring, equity work, and serves on multiple community boards. Marmoset is a longtime supporter of the Hawaii Songwriting Festival.
Adam Zelkind - Songwriter, Composer, Producer
Adam Zelkind is an eight-time award winning songwriter/composer/producer. He has created cutting edge music for more than 2600 television episodes, feature films, records, and ads. His awards include ASCAP’s Most Performed Music on Television for two consecutive years. He has worked with artists and writers such as, Kenny Loggins, Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket), Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s), Jason Mraz, Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Sons of Legion (their New single), Ashley Gorley, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Amy Stroup, Chris Gelbuda, , Brett James, Big Al Anderson, Josh Kelly, Walt Aldridge, Darryl Worley, Gary Burr, Meghan Lindsey (The Voice), Spectre Jones, Will Champlin, Dustin Christensen, Katie Herzig, Rob Kleiner. He wrote & produced 8 songs & the featured end credits song for the film “The Big Ugly” on which he also served as the film’s executive music producer. His work has become a prominent force on many shows including the hit CW show Hart Of Dixie, having had 20 songs featured on this show. Some of his other credits include: Brothers Under Fire with Kiefer Sutherland, The Bondsman, end credits for The Leftovers, 911 Project Harmony, Promos for College Football, Criminal Minds, Hannibal, Law & Order, True Blood, Selena, The Family Stone, Silence of The Lambs, Top Secret Recipe, Rock of Love, Flavor of Love, I Love Money, Real Chance of Love, The Surreal Life, From G's to Gents, I Love New York, Charm School, My Fair Brady, Out Back Jack, Next Action Star, Teen Mom, Below Deck, Beverly Hills 90201, The Steve Harvey Show, Many of his songs can be heard in films including the critically acclaimed film Disconnect, Marine Home Front 3, 10 songs & End Credits song on Slumber Party Slaughter, No Manches Frida, Can't Have You. Adam also serves on the Advisory council for the Hawai'i Songwriting Festival.
Adam Zelkind is an eight-time award winning songwriter/composer/producer. He has created cutting edge music for more than 2600 television episodes, feature films, records, and ads. His awards include ASCAP’s Most Performed Music on Television for two consecutive years. He has worked with artists and writers such as, Kenny Loggins, Glen Phillips (Toad The Wet Sprocket), Tom Higgenson (Plain White T’s), Jason Mraz, Kristian Bush (Sugarland), Sons of Legion (their New single), Ashley Gorley, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Amy Stroup, Chris Gelbuda, , Brett James, Big Al Anderson, Josh Kelly, Walt Aldridge, Darryl Worley, Gary Burr, Meghan Lindsey (The Voice), Spectre Jones, Will Champlin, Dustin Christensen, Katie Herzig, Rob Kleiner. He wrote & produced 8 songs & the featured end credits song for the film “The Big Ugly” on which he also served as the film’s executive music producer. His work has become a prominent force on many shows including the hit CW show Hart Of Dixie, having had 20 songs featured on this show. Some of his other credits include: Brothers Under Fire with Kiefer Sutherland, The Bondsman, end credits for The Leftovers, 911 Project Harmony, Promos for College Football, Criminal Minds, Hannibal, Law & Order, True Blood, Selena, The Family Stone, Silence of The Lambs, Top Secret Recipe, Rock of Love, Flavor of Love, I Love Money, Real Chance of Love, The Surreal Life, From G's to Gents, I Love New York, Charm School, My Fair Brady, Out Back Jack, Next Action Star, Teen Mom, Below Deck, Beverly Hills 90201, The Steve Harvey Show, Many of his songs can be heard in films including the critically acclaimed film Disconnect, Marine Home Front 3, 10 songs & End Credits song on Slumber Party Slaughter, No Manches Frida, Can't Have You. Adam also serves on the Advisory council for the Hawai'i Songwriting Festival.