People from the Program

Episode 34 ft. Jorri Roberts - Creative Strategy Manager @ NBCUniversal

On today's episode, my guest is Jorri Roberts, Jorri Roberts is a Creative Strategy Manager at NBCUniversal. She has previous experience in creative services, includes project management, production, and marketing, and her special expertise is in the area of creative strategy - where she brainstorms, researches, and ideates innovative campaign approaches for networks and artists alike. She also works on podcasts that include editorial production for the music business podcast Musonomics, and guest hosting for the horror movie podcast, Progressively Horrified!
 
Hope you enjoy the episode. Don't forget to like, subscribe, share, rate, and/or review the show!

Episode 33 ft. Sam Guyton - Owner & Artistic Director @ Vali Entertainment

On today's episode my guest is Sam Guyton, Owner & Artistic Director at Vali Entertainment. Sam is a multifaceted artist, musician, and entrepreneur, seamlessly blending creativity with business. As the owner of Vali Entertainment, he curates world-class live music experiences for high-profile events. Sam has built a thriving career as both a performer and a visionary leader, using his talents to elevate the entertainment industry. With a sharp eye for real estate and an unstoppable drive, he’s building a lasting legacy—one show at a time. 
 
Don't forget to like, share, subscribe, rate, and/or review the show. Enjoy the episode!

Episode 32 ft. Oleg Troyanovsky - Executive Music Producer @ Animotion Media Group

On today's episode my guest is Oleg Troyanovsky, an executive music producer at Animotion Media Group. In his role, Oleg is instrumental in elevating the level of music production and distribution for kids animation series, cartoon characters and rising young music talents. During his extensive career he constantly shifted gears between music industry and broadcast TV spaces, starting his career at EMI Music. At MTV, Disney and other broadcast networks, Oleg was responsible for on-air promotion, branding and production management and his project highlights include MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Europe Music Awards and Eurovision.
 
Hope you enjoy the episode!

Episode 31 ft. Folayan Knight - Director of Operations @ The Juneteenth Scotland Foundation; Founder of Grindstone & Baby & The Beat

On today’s show my guest is Folayan Knight, Director of Operations at the Juneteenth Scotland Foundation - The DMV areas largest Juneteenth celebration and cultural event, and founder of Baby & The Beat - a company merging hip-hop with children's products. Folayan is a seasoned entertainment professional with more than 25 years of experience nurturing the careers of some of the industry’s most promising producers, songwriters, and artists. She launched her career at the legendary Def Jam Records - while working in marketing and the label’s A&R department, she shaped albums like Method Man and Redman’s Black Out and DMX’s multi-platinum ...And Then There Was X.  She is also the founder of Grindstone, Inc., where she has consulted for global brands like Red Bull, and has helped artists achieve success through innovative strategies, resulting in collaborations with stars such as Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Wayne, and Bruno Mars.
 
Enjoy the episode!!

Episode 30 ft. Dr. Catherine Moore - Adjunct Professor of Music Technology & Digital Media at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music; Former Director of the NYU Music Business Program

HAPPY NEW YEAR. Welcome to 2025!
 
Today is a little bit of a milestone for the show, it’s our 30th EPISODE here, and I have a VERY VERY special guest. Today I’m speaking with the legend herself, former director of the NYU Music Business program, Dr. Catherine Moore. Dr. Moore is currently Adjunct Professor of Music Technology & Digital Media at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music, where she emphasizes creating (and pitching!) value in business courses, workshop coaching, and consulting work. In her teaching, her focus is on new technologies for digital media distribution, music startups, and collaborative courses that bring students in user-experience design, computer science, and music together. And as I previously stated, Dr. Moore also taught at NYU from 1995 to 2016, directing the Music Business Program for many years. Her focus there was on price strategy, strategic marketing, business development, A&R music evaluation, and international expansion.
It is an honor to have Dr. Moore on the show, and I thoroughly enjoyed hearing her story and having this conversation. Hope you enjoy it as well!

Episode 29 ft. Matt Gevaza - New Business and Emerging Technologies @ Bytedance/TikTok

Last episode of the year!
Today my guest is Matt Gevaza. Matt has been part of ByteDance’s Global Music BD team specializing in New Business and Emerging Technologies at TikTok, where he helps shape trends in music and technology. He is a music industry veteran whose career has spanned roles as a songwriter, touring artist, live engineer, and studio owner, along with positions at major label and tech companies.
Really enjoyed this conversation, and I hope you do as well. See you in the new year!

Episode 28 ft. Aaron Bisman - Senior Vice President of Marketing @ Sesame Workshop

A fresh new episode right before the holiday!
On today's show my guest is Aaron Bisman - Senior Vice President of Marketing at Sesame Workshop, where he is responsible for expanding and elevating consumer engagement and deepening the nonprofit’s relationships with consumers, partners, donors, families, and fans. This includes overseeing global brand management, marketing strategy, owned and paid media, and brand creative. For more than two decades, Aaron has served as an organizational leader building and managing media, cultural, and entertainment brands. He has deep experience in organizational development, digital strategy, marketing innovation, arts and culture program design, and change management. 
 
We had a great conversation, and I hope you all enjoy it! 

Episode 27 ft. Tatiana Vickerie - Director, Digital Marketing @ RCA Records, Sony Music Entertainment

On today's show my guest is Tatiana Vickerie - Director, Digital Marketing at Sony Music Entertainment’s RCA Records. Tatiana specializes in digital strategy and driving success for artists across all career stages. She has worked with a diverse range of talent—from emerging artists to Grammy winners—shaping the digital future of music and entertainment. Tatiana is also the founder of FEEL SEEN, an event series designed for BIPOC creative professionals in media, entertainment, and technology. Focused on holistic networking, wellness, and authentic dialogue, FEEL SEEN provides a space for attendees to recharge, build meaningful relationships, and feel truly seen!

Episode 26 ft. Dinesh Mathew - Transformation and Partner Intelligence Leader, Global Partner Scale @ Intel Corporation

On today's episode my guest is Dinesh Mathew - Transformation and Partner Intelligence Leader, Global Partner Scale @ Intel Corporation. Dinesh has over 25 years working for some of the most iconic companies in the world, which includes transitions from a chemical engineer in manufacturing with Procter & Gamble, on to a market research/business intelligence executive at MTV, and then a chief of staff and business operations leader at Intel. Over those years, his roles have blended creativity with analytical rigor. 

Episode 25 ft. Timothy J. Forcelli - Senior Music Industry Consultant @ GLG; Composer in Residence for Sony Music Publishing South Africa

On today’s show my guest is Timothy J. Forcelli, Senior Music Industry Consultant at GLG. Timothy advises clients on emerging trends and market opportunities using data-driven strategies and advanced analytics. An accomplished guitarist and composer, his recent projects include serving as Composer in Residence for Sony Music Publishing South Africa, where he merges classical music with Afrobeat and Amapiano genres to foster cross-cultural collaboration. Timothy has also managed strategic partnerships, spearheaded artist development, and supported cutting-edge music technologies like AI audio mastering.
 
Enjoy the episode!