Songwriter and artist advocate Erin McAnally has always been a part of the music business. Born in Muscle Shoals, AL, and raised in Nashville, she has extensive experience in A&R, production, music supervision and scoring for film and tv, publishing, and concerts and festivals.  

Now living in Los Angeles, she has been serving as Songwriters of North America’s Co-Executive Director and Vice-Chair since 2023. She co-owns a publishing company with her husband, Mick Utley. They were frequent co-writers with Jimmy Buffett, landing two songs on his most recent and posthumous album.

She also works as a consultant and prose writer, helping artists, brands, and non-profits with marketing and communications, fundraising, education, events, and operations. In the past few years, one of her focuses was developing and teaching an education program with Artist Rights Alliance to empower artists and music creators and aiding the organization with strategic growth initiatives. She has extensive public speaking experience, having presented at conferences like Folk Alliance, SXSW, Americana Fest, and the US Copyright Office’s Unclaimed Royalties Study Kickoff Symposium.

Michelle Lewis is an Emmy-winning songwriter & composer based in Los Angeles, as well as a highly-influential music creators’ rights advocate. The daughter of musicians, she spent her early career in New York City as a recording artist signed to Irving Azoff’s Giant Records after attending Columbia University.  But it was upon moving to LA that she had her first radio hit as a songwriter with Cher’s “A Different Kind of Love Song” in 2002.  She spent the next 10 years as a go-to top-liner and songwriter, writing hits including the worldwide #1 single “Wings” by the British girl group Little Mix.  

For the last decade, Michelle has branched out into the world of songwriting for animated television, most notably as a Peabody Award-winning composer of all original music for Disney Jr’s hit show, Doc McStuffins and Emmy-nominated songwriter of the beloved Nickelodeon series The Loud House. She and her co-writers won an Emmy this past year for Outstanding Original Song for “Unsaid Emily” from the Netflix series Julie and the Phantoms. She has over a half-dozen TV themes currently airing; including Doc McStuffins, The Loud House, Ada Twist, The Harvey Street Kids, Sydney 2 the Max and DC Super Hero Girls.  

Michelle is solidly situated on the leading edge of issues facing songwriters as evidenced by her many roles: as SONA’s executive director; as a member of ASCAP’s Board of Directors; as an LA Chapter board member of the Recording Academy, as well as serving on the executive committee of the Music Peer Group for the Television Academy. She is deeply committed to the ongoing fight to make streaming royalty rates more fair to creators, to the education and empowerment of creators through metadata, to the implementation and utilization of the Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) and to the fight for songwriters to get healthcare and workplace safety standards in place.  In 2019 she won the California Copyright Coalition’s (CCC) Apollo Award and was on Rolling Stone’s “Future 25” list.

Composer Adam Gorgoni’s scoring credits include Sundance favorite Starting Out In The Evening, Deauville Grand Prize Winner The Dead Girl, cult comedy classic Waiting, the HBO documentary I Knew It Was You, and many others. 

Recent television work includes USA Network’s Necessary Roughness, the CW series Aliens In America, Lorne Michaels’ ABC comedy Sons and Daughters, as well as shows for NBC, Disney, Discovery Channel, Bravo and National Geographic. Adam also has extensive experience in music for advertising, with clients including Toyota, AT&T, IBM, Mastercard. 

Adam indulged his longtime love of musical theater as a co-producer of the groundbreaking musical Head Over Heels, which debuted in 2018 on Broadway to critical acclaim.

Following the passage of the Music Modernization Act (MMA) in October, 2018, Adam — a SONA founding member and board member — was asked to oversee a national nomination process choosing a handful of songwriters (out of hundreds of applicants) to be part of the Music Licensing Collective (MLC).   Moving forward, this committee will have the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of this historic legislation.

Adam is proud to be part of a movement that will ensure music creators will be paid fairly in the digital age. He is deeply committed to SONA and especially enjoys continual conversations with an expanding group of legislators who wish to support this mission.

Andrae Alexander, a GRAMMY-winning musician and USC professor, moved to Los Angeles in 2009 from Maryland. A veteran of the United States Marine Corps and the U.S. Navy Band of Washington, D.C., he is also an Amazon best-selling author of the book, “Build Your Music Career From Scratch,” now in its second edition.  An internationally traveled musician and clinician on the subjects of the music industry and music production, Andrae has been to over 40 countries.

As a musician, composer and consultant, he has worked on projects such as Empire, Detroit (the film) and the soundtrack of The Birth of a Nation. Among the artists he has worked with are NeYo, BlackBear, George Drakoulias, Swae Lee, Mellissa Ethridge, Allee Willis, Meek Mills, Pusha-T, Kanye West, Jesse J., Rodney Jerkins, Lamont Dozier and No I.D.  In 2022 Andrae shared co-writing credits on Jon Batiste’s GRAMMY-winning Album Of The Year. 

To the academic setting, Andrae brings real-world experience. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music, a Master of Arts in Music Industry Administration and is in the process of completing a PhD. Andrae is currently a voting member of both the Recording Academy and the Songwriters Hall of Fame and a faculty member of USC’s Thornton School of Music in the Music Industry Department. Prior to USC, Andrae taught courses on the music business, production, composition and programming at the LA Film School in Hollywood. 

Being a proponent of philanthropy, Andrae has worked with non-profits to use music as a tool for social rehabilitation in the homeless community and to serve underserved grade school children, where music has been removed from their school’s curriculum. The Amazing Grace Conservatory (AGC), under the direction of Wendy Raquel Robinson, and Urban Possibilities, under the direction of Eyvette Jones-Johnson, are the other two non-profits that he currently serves in addition to SONA.

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Autumn Rowe is a GRAMMY-winning singer/songwriter/producer/DJ from New York. Growing up in the South Bronx, she applied her musical talents to a range of roles, from band leader to session singer. Later, she became a sought-after after songwriter, working with some of the world’s biggest artists and record labels. She wrote the dance anthem behind the 2011 FIFA World Cup “Happiness” featuring Alexis Jordan and has worked with Diana Ross, Dua Lipa, Tori Kelly, Ava Max, Jon Batiste, Naia Izumi, Jax Jones, Big Freedia, MK, Avicci, Zedd, Alesso, AfroJack, Deadmau5, Alex Newell, Leona Lewis, Digital Farm Animals, Boy George, Jon Bellion, The Knocks, Nick Jonas, Kali Uchis, Kacy Hill, Fifth Harmony, One Direction, Sinead Harnett, Fka Twigs, Lindsey, Stirling, Becky G and Macy Gray, among many other artists. In 2022, she became a GRAMMY winner as part of the writing and production team for Jon Batiste’s highly-acclaimed Album Of The Year, We Are. 

Autumn is also a celebrated vocal coach. She appeared on season 2 of The X Factor and as the only vocal coach on America’s Got Talent for five years, between the show’s eighth and twelfth seasons. She has coached artists including America’s Got Talent winner Grace VanderWaal, Fifth Harmony, Bea Miller, Carly Rose Sonenclar and Diamond White. 

Currently living in Los Angeles, Autumn continues to write and mentor both established and emerging artists as well as working on her own projects as an artist and producer. Autumn recently added GRAMMY winner to her list of accomplishments as part of the writing and production team for Jon Batiste’s highly-acclaimed Album Of The Year, We Are.  She is currently signed to Stellar/Sony Music Publishing.

Dina LaPolt, Esq. is the founder and owner of LaPolt Law, P.C., one of the music industry’s leading law firms and the only firm of its stature founded and run by a sole female attorney. Employing ten full-time attorneys who work together overseeing one of the industry’s most diverse client rosters, the firm represents music creators, superstar entertainers, top industry executives and prominent influencers in the areas of fashion and beauty.  Dina is an expert at strategizing and solving complex and sophisticated legal and business issues relating to contracts, copyrights, trademarks, rights of publicity and litigation. She serves as an activist for creators and celebrities in the areas of privacy, copyright, and social justice initiatives, often becoming involved in legislative matters affecting the rights of her clients and advocating on their behalf.   

Dina co-founded Songwriters of North America (SONA) with songwriters Michelle Lewis and Kay Hanley in 2016 and orchestrated SONA’s filing of a lawsuit against the Department of Justice in response to their mandate of 100% licensing in connection with the ASCAP and BMI consent decree review.  

She has been honored with numerous industry accolades including Super Lawyers, a prominent rating system reserved for lawyers with a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, The Hollywood Reporter’s Power Lawyers and Top Music Business Attorneys; Billboard’s Power 100, Women in Music, Music’s Most Powerful Attorneys lists, as well as Variety’s Dealmakers Impact Report and Women’s Impact Report. Notably, in 2018 Dina earned recognition for her work on industry-leading advocacy efforts on behalf of SONA in the passage of the Music Modernization Act  (MMA) and was named one of the Executives of the Year for Billboard’s Women in Music and was also chosen by MIDEM in Cannes, France, with the 2018 MIDEM Music Lawyer of the Year award. Dina was honored by the Recording Academy in 2019 with the prestigious ELI Service Award at the Entertainment Law Initiative luncheon – the youngest attorney and only the second woman to ever receive the award in the history of the organization. The same year, she was also inducted into Billboard’s Women in Music Hall of Fame. 

Dina is also on the board of We Are R.I.S.E., a non-profit established in South Los Angeles to empower young girls of color ages 7-12; City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Group and serves on the Executive Leadership Council of the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC) which honored her with its 2021 BMAC Agent of Change Award alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump at their Inaugural Music in Action Awards gala.

Versatile writer/producer Jack Kugell’s work spans the pop, R&B, country and film/TV arenas. He has worked with artists from all over the world, reaching #1 more than a dozen times in many different countries.

Jack was first signed to EMI Music Publishing (which later became Sony/ATV) in 1993, a successful relationship lasting 23 years. As the son of producer Marty Kugell (“In The Still of The Night”), his first musical experiences took place as he watched his dad write and record in the classic studios of New York and Los Angeles. By the age of 11, he knew that he wanted to be a songwriter. What started as a hobby soon became a full-time career and lifelong passion.

His first success as a songwriter came after he penned the perennial Christmas song “Hey Santa!” for The Wilsons and the theme song for The Carnie Wilson Show. Jack is perhaps most recognized for his #1 chart-topper “Valentine,” recorded by Martina McBride, co-written with Jim Brickman. “Valentine” became a #1 AC hit as well as reaching Top 5 on the Billboard Country Singles chart and earned multi-platinum status for both Martina McBride and Jim Brickman’s albums. Artists Jack has worked with include Christina Aguilera, Kesha, J.Lo, Fergie, The Pussycat Dolls, Jim Brickman, Martina McBride, Jessica Simpson, Sean Kingston, Mary J. Blige, Wayne Brady, Taio Cruz, 98 Degrees, All-4-One, Anastacia & Michelle Williams to name a few.

Jack along with his partners Jamie Jones and Matt Wong, are songwriters/producers collectively known as The Heavyweights. The GRAMMY-nominated, multi-platinum production team has delivered hit songs to amass collective sales of over 35 million units. Their work has been featured in the Disney Channel Original Musical Movies Descendants 2, Zombies, the upcoming Descendants 3 as well as Disney’s feature film Kim Possible and most-recently the critically acclaimed Raven’s Home Remix – The Musical.

The Heavyweights other endeavors include writing and producing Shontelle’s “Battle Cry,” which received the historic honor of being an official theme song for the Obama campaign, as well as being included on the official Obama Campaign CD. The Heavyweights also wrote and produced Wayne Brady’s critically-acclaimed debut album “A Long Time Coming,” which resulted in a 2009 GRAMMY- nomination for Brady’s vocal performance on the Sam Cooke classic, “A Change Is Gonna Come.” In 2015 the Heavyweights work resulted in their second GRAMMY-nominated vocal for Hidden Beach Recordings Artist, Angie Fisher, for the song “I.R.S.”

Jack, who serves as a board member of Songwriters of North America (SONA), is committed to fighting for creators’ rights.   He continues to consistently write great songs and put his stamp on great talent.

Jared Brenner is a transactional attorney working at the intersection of music and technology. Jared advises companies and their investors on corporate governance, venture capital investments, IP licensing transactions, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, employee matters and securities law compliance. He also regularly represents entertainment talent establishing joint ventures for lifestyle and consumer products brands, and in other investment transactions and acquisitions. In addition to his corporate practice, Jared is active in the music industry as an advisor to songwriters, artists and producers.

Lauren Christy’s journey into music began at the age of five when she found a piano buried in the garden at her parents’ house in South London. As a child at the Bush Davies Theatrical School in East Grinstead, Sussex, she first dreamed of a career as a ballet dancer. But the piano drew Lauren’s attention in every dance studio.

“I was driven by the motion of sound, rather than the movement to sound,” she recalls. During that pivotal period, Lauren made her first attempts at songwriting with her close friend at the school, who happened to be the daughter of songwriter Tony Hatch (“Downtown”). It was then she slowly realized songwriting was what she really wanted to do.

By the age of 19, she was recording her own songs, soon signing her first publishing deal with EMI, followed by a record deal at Mercury Records at age 21.  Relocating to Los Angeles, she started work on her first album with producer and Carpenters guitarist Tony Peluso. That debut album, Lauren Christy, garnered her a nomination for Best New Artist at the 1994 American Music Awards. Lauren’s single, “The Color of the Night,” was a Top 10 AC hit and landed her a nomination for Best Song in a Motion Picture at the Golden Globes.

As Lauren started a family, she reinvented herself again as the co-creator of hit production team The Matrix. Alongside creative partners Graham Edwards and Scott Spock, the trio wrote and produced the worldwide phenomenon Avril Lavigne’s debut album “Let Go,” which included three international number-one hits- “Complicated,” “Sk8er Boi” and “I’m With You” – selling 25 million copies. For “Complicated,” the Matrix trio won the prestigious Ivor Novello Award for International Hit of The Year as well as receiving seven GRAMMY nominations: Song of the Year in 2003 for “Complicated” and again in 2004 for “I’m With You” along with Producer of the Year. (Lauren is one of only seven women ever to be nominated.) Christy is also a two-time Juno award winner and a BMI Songwriter of the Year Award recipient.

The Matrix has sold more than 30 million records and has worked with artists including Avril Lavigne, Jason Mraz (“The Remedy”), Shakira (“Don’t Bother”), Liz Phair (“Why Can’t I”), Korn (“Coming Undone” “Twisted Transister”), David Bowie (“New Killer Star”), Christina Aguilera (“This Year”), Ricky Martin (“This Is Good”), Britney Spears (“Shadow”), Hillary Duff (“So Yesterday”), Ferras (“Hollywood’s Not America”), Busted (“Three AM”), Tokio Hotel (“Human Connect to Human”), Rihanna (“Cheers”), Grayson Chance (“Hold On To The Night”) among many others.

Entering her fourth decade as a music professional, this one-time dancer can be found six days a week raising kids and making music. Working closely with Donna Caseine and Golnar Khosrowshahi at Reservoir, Lauren’s recent independent work includes Enrique Iglesias’s worldwide number one hit “Tonight I’m Loving You,” as well as 

songs recorded by a dazzling and diverse list of artists including Chris Medina, Kelly Clarkson, Jason Derulo, Headley, Bebe Rexha, Me Myself and I, Dua Lipa, Iggy Azalea, Avril Lavigne, The Struts, KORN and Jenn Bostic. 

Lauren recently started her own record label, Youth Be Served Records (YBS Records). The first signing was artist Jenn Bostic, whose Take My Hand EP entered the iTunes Christian chart at #11. The label’s second signing, Australian artist Tassia Zappia, saw the debut single “You Don’t Want Me” earn more than half a million streams shortly after release. And the latest signing, Rosse, just signed a publishing deal with Merck Mercuriadis’s Hipgnosis Songs and is about to drop her first release.

Lauren is currently enjoying working with her daughters Georgia Christy Edwards and Sophie Skye Edwards on their band SkyeChrist, and they have recently released their first two singles, “Sending Light (for Lucas)” and “Black Lake.”

“It’s such a blessing to get to make records for a living and help people achieve their vision,” she says.  “I want to keep doing this until I die. Just bury me with my piano!”

Mark’s practice emphasizes the proactive management of the tax and financial affairs of a variety of people who work in film, television, music and technology. His clientele also includes touring acts, international executives and entrepreneurs, and other high net worth individuals and their businesses.

Mark sees his role as providing the peace of mind that allows his clients to focus on both their professional and personal interests while knowing that their financial matters are in good hands. Financial and business management is complicated, challenging and shifts constantly. Markets can be volatile; tax laws change and risks exist today that did not exist just a few short years ago. Mark oversees his clients’ affairs by providing budgeting and cash flow planning as well as incorporating insurance review, estate and tax planning into his management activities.

In addition he works closely with Manifest Works, an organization dedicated to workforce development and job placement for those affected by foster care, homelessness and incarceration, to make sure they comply with the various tax rules that apply to charities.

Shane Stevens is a Grammy and ACM nominated singer/songwriter who has written for a variety of country and pop acts, including Walker Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Lady A, Sara Evans, Kellie Pickler, Ronnie Milsap, Jo Dee Messina, Jordin Sparks, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Meghan Trainor.

Born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, he grew up in a house filled with country, pop, R&B, Christian, and beach music. In 1996, he moved to Nashville with his best friend and co-writer Karyn Rochelle to fulfill his dream of becoming a professional songwriter.

He achieved his first Billboard #1 on the Hot Country Songs chart in 2010 with “American Honey,” performed by Lady A and co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Cary Barlowe.

After achieving much success in writing country music, Shane wanted to broaden his songwriting horizon and moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a new direction as a writer, vocal producer, and artist developer in the pop and R&B world.

While in Los Angeles, Shane has contributed songs to several pop artists, such as “Super Bad”, “Goodie Bag” by Jesse McCartney, “Everlasting Love” by Fifth Harmony, “Paper Doll” by Bea Miller, “Paradise” by Little Boots, “Step On Up” by Ariana Grande, “Love Me or Leave Me” by Little Mix, “Woman Up” by Meghan Trainor, “Nobody” by Selena Gomez, and “I’ll Chase The Sky”, “No Better Feelin’” and “Neighsayer” on the 2017 My Little Pony soundtrack.

Shane’s most recent accolades includes selling a Country music musical movie to Paramount Pictures in 2019 where Shane was responsible for writing all original compositions associated with the musical alongside childhood friend Karyn Rochelle and co writing the biggest song of 2021 titled “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes. Currently, Shane spends the majority of his time where it all started, Nashville, TN. Shane primary focus is writing for both country and pop music while developing talent in both genres.

Angie Pagano is the CEO of the multi-faceted music company, AMP Entertainment.  After 15+ years at both indie and major publishing and record companies, Pagano felt the need for another female-led company in the music industry.  Prior to launching AMP in 2020, Pagano was the General Manager of Artist Publishing Group and Senior Vice President of sister recording company, Artist Partner Group. For the better half of a decade, Pagano led APG in operations, business affairs, A&R, finance, synchronization, as well as the company’s overall compounding growth. Prior to APG, Pagano, who began her career at Chrysalis Music Publishing, became one of the key members responsible for the integration of Chrysalis into BMG. She was instrumental in the early building of BMG into what it is today, one of the largest publishers in the U.S.  As an A&R, Pagano was involved in several hits including: Ava Max’s first album Heaven & Hell including singles Sweet but Psycho, Kings & Queens, My Head & My Heart; Fifth Harmony – Work From Home; Niall Horan – Slow Hands; Selena Gomez – Rare; Megan Thee Stallion – Diamonds (with Normani); Justin Bieber – Anyone; Tate McRae – Vicious; Kane Brown – Be Like That.  Pagano’s clients have also been responsible for successes including: BTS – Butter; Justin Bieber – Holy; Ariana Grande – positions, 35+35, POV; Blackpink – Ice Cream (ft. Selena Gomez); Rihanna – Needed Me.

Courtney Harrell is a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter who has performed with and penned hits for Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum artists such as Ariana Grande, Beyonce, Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland, Mary J. Blige, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, and many more. Her current chart-topping hit is “Snap” by Rosa Lynn. Courtney was a semi-finalist on The Voice and now works as a music producer on NBC’s AMERICA’S GOT TALENT.

Roahn Hylton, known as “First Born”, is a multi platinum Grammy nominated Hip-Hop, R&B, and Pop music producer and composer from Houston, Texas. He attended Oral Roberts University before becoming a Grammy nominated professional music producer. Roahn Hylton (First Born) was a co-producer on Nicki Minajʼs first Billboard Top 5 single “Super Bass”. In addition to the song being a platinum hit in the U.S., “Super Bass” spent several weeks inside the top 20 and is Minajʼs highest charting solo single to date. He also produced “Gun Shot” for Nicki Minaj on her Platinum Album “Roman Reloaded”, which ranked #1 on the Billboard 200. He produced “Honeymoon Avenue” for Ariana Grande on her RIAA Gold Certified album “Yours Truly,” also peaking at #1 on Billboard top 200. Then he produced “Rick James” and “No Complications” for Keyshia Cole on her 6th studio album, which eventually become the #1 RnB album in the country, making it his fourth number 1 album in 4 years. Roahn has also worked with Flo Rida, Plies, Ne-Yo, Trey Songz, Kaleena, Ludacris, Cassie, Ariana Grande, The Game, Gucci Mane, and New Boys

​In 2016 he met Jacob Yoffee in Israel and the two became great friends. ‘They have been working together ever since, creating the music group Th3rdstream in 2018. Since then they have scored 6 series together and have worked on film/television projects with Jay-Z, Lebron James, Robert Downey, Jr., Kevin Hart and Janelle Monae.

​In 2019 Roahn was co-composer for ‘Free Meek’ on Amazon, which is produced by Jay-Z & Meek Mill as well as ‘Age of A.I.’ a docu-series from producer Robert Downey, Jr. Hylton was also a series co-composer for ‘Don’t F*** this up’ a Netflix series produced and starred by Kevin Hart. The series was nominated for Best Unstructured Reality Program at the 2020 Emmys.

Most recently, Roahn co-scored the currently untitled Nicki Minaj Documentary as well as the logo and theme for the ‘Power Universe’ on Starz produced by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson. In July 2021 Roahn was announced as Series co-composer for ‘The Wonder Years’ on ABC premiering September 2021.

Linda Bloss-Baum is a full time faculty member and the Assistant Director of the Business and Entertainment Program at American University’s KOGOD School of Business. Prior to joining her beloved alma mater, American University, in her full time role, Bloss-Baum taught the popular course, Protecting the Creative Class, as an Adjunct Faculty Member at the University for a decade while she was serving as the Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy at SoundExchange. Before joining SoundExchange, Bloss-Baum ran the Warner Music Group office in Washington, D.C. for six years. She also served as Vice President, Public Policy/Government Relations at Universal Music Group/NBC Universal and Time Warner, Inc. Linda graduated from Catholic University Law School and has lived in the Washington, DC area for over 35 years.

Polymath entrepreneur Camus Celli started his career in the music industry as a songwriter and producer, where he worked for Nile Rodgers (CHIC, David Bowie, Duran Duran). Camus went on to write and produce for artists such as Tina Turner and David Byrne and developed iconic talents such as Gavin Degraw.

As a founding member of Truideation, an award-winning creative agency, Camus’ team provided data backed cultural strategy for creative teams across esports, sports, and entertainment, launching campaigns for VW, LVMH, Paramount and Viacom. Camus most recently was a member of WPP’s ‘OpenX’ team that was awarded the global Coca-Cola account, providing end to end Cultural Strategy, as well as advising on influencer and GenZ strategy.

In 2023, with his partner famed producer Martin Terefe, they launched Kensaltown East, a 10k-square-foot recording facility and creative hub in the heart of Union Square to capture the current renaissance of art and culture in NYC. The facility houses music publishing, management, gallery spaces, and a spatial audio lab.