The Business Chops seminar series was recently created by a trio of industry veterans with deep business roots in the professional audio and music fields. John Stiernberg is principal consultant with Stiernberg Consulting, the Sherman Oaks, CA-based business development firm, and co-founder of Succeeding In Music, a provider of business education for music people. David Schwartz, former Editor-in-Chief and co-founder of Mix Magazine, is COO of Mpowered Ideas Media, a company specializing in positive value music projects. Claris-Sayadian-Dodge, is founder and principal of studioexpresso, artists' gateway to production services. She also represents the C Management roster of producers and composers, and was former studio manager at LA's Ocean Way.

“Music and recording people often have great technical chops, but need guidance on the business side. This training is an interactive workshop that combines a deep-rooted focus on sound business principles with a foundation of both artist integrity and commercial viability,” says Stiernberg, the principle facilitator and course developer for Business Chops. “It’s a one-of-a-kind workshop designed to boost the business savvy of anyone who makes a living--or aspires to--from professional music or recording. Our audiences appreciate the no-gimmicks, common sense approach to developing business chops.” Stiernberg is the author of Succeeding In Music, published by Backbeat Books.

The Business Chops seminar will also include a unique facilitated discussion title "The Artist Development Revolution" with special guests to be announced.
All registered attendees will receive light lunch and refreshments, extensive handouts and resource materials, and special prizes provided by leading music and audio industry sponsors. This is a great opportunity to learn, networking, and give your music career a boost.

John Stiernberg is founder and principal consultant with Stiernberg Consulting, the Sherman Oaks (Los Angeles) CA-based business development firm. John has over twenty-five years experience in the music and entertainment technology field. He currently works with a variety of business clients on strategic planning and market development projects. Prior to establishing Stiernberg Consulting in 1993, John worked for audio equipment manufacturers for twelve years in sales, marketing, and general management positions. He has managed salesforces, launched products, developed staff organizations, and written business plans for those companies and over fifty private clients. From 1973-81, John was a professional musician, booking agent, and part owner of a music retail store. John plays acoustic guitar and five-string banjo. As a performer, he has appeared on stage, records, television, and radio. John received a B.A. (magna cum laude/Phi Beta Kappa) in music and anthropology from Ripon College in 1973. He is a member of NAMM, NSCA, and CEDIA as well as a voting member of NARAS, the American Federation of Musicians, the North American Folk Music and Dance Alliance, and the International Bluegrass Music Association.In addition to strategic planning and industry analysis, John is in demand as a keynote speaker and seminar presenter. He was named NSCA "Educator of the Year" in May 2000. He presents seminars, writes articles, and produces a series of educational video programs based on Succeeding In Music called the "Business Chops for Music People" series. For more information including a complete list of publications and original seminars, please contact John via e-mail c/o askjohn@succeedinginmusic.net.

David Schwartz Most recently serving as COO of Mpowered Ideas Media, in Manhattan Beach, CA, David Schwartz has been coordinating the startup operations for a music-oriented media company, with clients and strategic partners including Time Life Music, NBC Television, House of Blues and Univision Music.

An acknowledged leader in music and audio publishing, David is perhaps best known for his work as the founder, former publisher, Editor-in-Chief and President of Mix Magazine, the leading trade magazine for the recording industry. Under his leadership Mix Publications, Inc., became a publishing company that produced three highly regarded international magazines: Mix, Electronic Musician, and Mix Revista (in Spanish), developed a book publishing division and an event production unit which for 19 years has hosted the pro audio industry’s leading awards show, The TEC Awards. David has created and produced many other consumer and professional events that focus on communication and education in the fields of music and technology.

David has served for 20 years on the Board of Governors for the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences/San Francisco, and serves on the Advisory Boards of the House Ear Institute, Hearing Education and Awareness for Rockers, Ear Q, the Mix Foundation and Liquid Audio. In 1994 he received the Most Valuable Person Award from the San Francisco Recording Academy chapter for his contributions to the Bay Area music community.

Claris-Sayadian-Dodge, is founder and president of studioexpresso, the artists' gateway to production services. Through C management, an affiliated company, she represents a choice group of producers and composers. With more than twenty years of studio management, sales and public relations experience, Claris has been active in the Los Angeles music industry since 1986. She has a degree in business and has held positions at various music/media entertainment companies including: Frank Dileo Management, Management III, PMK, Rogers and Cowan Public Relations, Prairie Sun Recording, Ocean Way Studios (where she managed the facility for over a decade), studio bau:ton & TEC:ton engineering.Ms. Dodge’s clients have included: Dr. Dre, Michael Jackson, The Rolling Stones, Natalie Cole, Luis Miguel, Ringo Starr, Alejandro Sanz, Goo Goo Dolls to name a few. For more information, visit: www.studioexpresso.com.