Serona Elton

Serona Elton is a Professor at the University of Miami within its Frost School of Music, specifically the Music Industry Department. She also holds administrative roles as Interim Vice Dean and Director of the Music Industry Program. Her career bridges academia, music industry practice, and legal expertise, with past senior roles at Warner Music Group and EMI Recorded Music, as well as consulting for Sony Music, Universal Music Group, and Zumba Fitness.

• Education:
  • B.S.B.A. in Finance, University of Florida
  • M.M. in Music Media and Industry, University of Miami
  • J.D., Brooklyn Law School

Her research and professional focus lies in music business, copyright law, digital licensing, mechanical royalties, and artist management. Through her publications and Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) role as Head of Educational Partnerships, she has significantly shaped understanding of music licensing reforms like the Music Modernization Act. Her work addresses both foundational and emerging challenges, including AI’s impact on copyright and international anti-piracy strategies.

The trends in her 10 publications (2009–2023) span music industry history, digital distribution, copyright enforcement, and artist revenue models. These works emphasize mechanical licensing, graduated response programs to piracy, and contemporary music business practices.

Scientific Awards and Recognitions:

• Recognized as Yamaha Master Educator
• Served as President of MEIEA (Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association)
• Trustee of the Copyright Society of the U.S.A.
• Active in the Florida Bar Entertainment, Arts, and Sports Law Section

Media Appearances include NPR Marketplace, CNN, The New York Times, and Wired, where she comments on concert ticket pricing, music catalog sales, streaming platform negotiations, and copyright issues. She also co-authored the widely cited textbook Music Business Handbook and Career Guide, now in its 13th edition, which serves as a core resource for students and professionals.