Music Industry Conference (MIC)

Christopher Walker is a composer, performer, sound engineer, and music organizer active in spaces for arts nonprofits, radio, education, festivals, clubs, and other venues.

Through both his professional and scholarly output, Christopher maintains an actionable research agenda focused on deconstructing white supremacist frameworks within cultural institutions. He serves as Development Director for The Vera Project and further administrates an annual chamber music series with Emerald City Music across the Puget Sound. His current active musical project is the avant-pop duo Other People’s Energy with composer-improviser Celia Hill.

Since 2017, Christopher has produced a weekly two-hour radio program called TONOTOPICALIA on KUZU LP-FM with co-host Louise Fristensky. The broadcast highlights contemporary composition along with new releases of genre-blurring popular music and has garnered an avid international following.

Christopher is a proud member of The Recording Academy (GRAMMYs), American Composers Forum, Jazz Education Network, ASPA, and ASCAP.

Jasen Samford spent nearly a decade as employee #2 at DistroKid, where he built the company's artist support and education operations from the ground up. During that time he worked with independent artists, major labels, and everyone in between, developing a deep understanding of how music moves through the digital ecosystem and what it actually takes to get heard.

He now runs an independent music distribution consulting practice, helping artists navigate distributor disputes, royalty recovery, and direct-to-fan strategy. He also founded Gatefolded, a platform designed to help artists share music privately and exclusively with fans, collaborators, and press without relying on algorithms or gatekeepers.

Based in the Seattle area, Jasen remains an active participant in the local music scene and is passionate about helping working musicians understand the systems that shape their careers.

Jessica has dedicated her career to developing audience and supporting creative communities through mission-driven arts and culture organizations. She currently serves as Senior Executive Director of the Recording Academy (GRAMMY Awards) across the Pacific Northwest; is an active mentor and public speaker; is a Board member and Advisor to several organizations; and is serving a mayoral appointment as Vice Chair of the Seattle Music Commission, where she advises the City and its lawmakers on music, arts, and nightlife-related policy and legislation.

Previously, she co-owned and operated an independent record label; served as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF); was recruited as Head of Marketing and Audience Development to lead the strategic brand and growth initiatives for Paul Allen’s Experience Music Project, successfully pivoting the brand to Museum of Pop Culture (MoPOP); and has worked with multiple private clients to develop and manage their creative investments and philanthropic initiatives across the arts.

Katie Gray is a radio professional, musician, and community music organizer whose career centers on building access to music from the airwaves to the stage. She currently works at KUGS, the student‑operated station here at WWU, and has held nearly every role in radio from maintenance engineer and producer to on‑air talent, operations, and management at stations including KUGS, KAFE, KGMI, KZAX, and KISM, with a strong foundation in community radio. As a musician and songwriter, she has worked across pop, jazz, rock, and indie genres, and is most recently focused on a hyper‑pop dance project. Katie has also produced events ranging from DIY shows to large‑scale productions of up to 5,000 people and previously served as Executive Director of Make.Shift, a nonprofit all‑ages music venue and art space.

Nancy Chang built a career on helping young people create the community that they want to thrive in. She began her journey as a teaching artist in 2002, and worked in a variety of roles, e.g. City of Redmond’s Old Fire House Teen Center / All Ages Venue (2003 – 2014), co-founded and co-directed Skate Like a Girl (2005 – 2018) where she started the Youth Employment Skateboarding Program and served as the executive director of Reel Grrls (2014 – 2019) starting programs like the Learning Immersive Technology (LIT) and worked at Arts Corps (2019) supporting their summer programs e.g. the Residency, Arts Liberation Leadership Institute.

During the pandemic, Nancy pivoted out of arts and culture to work on federally funded state and national issues, e.g. digital equity, climate action, and resilience. She currently is focused on Modern Asian Diaspora Experience, and serves as an advisor to the Creative Economy Finance Network, Washington State Black Legacy Institute / Seattle Griot Project

With 16 years of both professional & DIY touring, 8 years in music journalism, 7 years in music distribution, and current Executive Director of Make.Shift Art Space, Bow-Edison based Nikko Van Wyck has seen just about everything the industry can throw at young and developing creatives.

A WWU alumnus, Nikko grew up catching shows and performing in venues like The Vera Project, The Old Firehouse, and Make.Shift, and now tours professionally with Ya Tseen (Sub Pop). He also wrote for Bellingham's own What's Up Magazine, working to highlight local musicians and new venues and bars in town. Over the last 3 years, Nikko has worked alongside the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET-CWA) to help organize labor in the radio and streaming industries.

DeVon Manier is a seasoned professional with over two decades of experience in operations, talent management, and event logistics. As the visionary behind Sportn’ Life Music Group, he has successfully managed the careers of diverse artists, coordinated large-scale projects, and cultivated lasting relationships across the entertainment industry. Additionally, he co-founded Sportn’ Life Records, a pivotal force in Seattle’s independent Hip Hop scene, where he oversaw artist development, record releases, and strategic partnerships. Under his leadership, the label has become a strong and important piece of the community, known for its influence and regional reputation.

With a strong commitment to excellence and a proven track record in leadership and logistics, DeVon has been instrumental in shaping the careers of artists and advancing the independent music scene. His adaptability, organizational prowess, and customer-focused mindset have made him a trusted leader in the music industry. He continues to be dedicated to creating meaningful opportunities for artists and driving innovative projects that resonate with audiences worldwide.

Ryan Leyva, also known as Johnny Nails, is a Seattle-based artist, producer, multi-instrumentalist, and audio/mix engineer. Working primarily out of his personal studio, ExEx, in Fremont, Ryan has built a reputation for his versatility and collaborative approach across a wide range of genres.

Ryan is deeply embedded in Seattle’s music community, contributing not only as a creator but also as a mentor and collaborator dedicated to fostering the next generation of artists

Mike Young is a working artist, creative economy organizer/planner, and a full-stack software engineer, with 20 years of experience planning events and crafting equitable strategies to bolster sustainable livelihoods for artists.

As a musician, poet, and small press publisher, he has played and organized 400+ shows all across the US, from backyards to large concert halls. His band Clementine Was Right's third LP, Tell Yourself You're Going Home, was named a Top 40 Rock Record of 2024 by Paste Magazine. The band has been featured in Stereogum, Paste, Brooklyn Vegan, and more. His writing and publishing work has been featured in the New York Times, VICE, BOMB, The Poetry Foundation, Best American Poetry, and many more. He is one of the lead organizers of Blucifer's First Rodeo, a new artist-led festival in Denver, CO that will debut with 180 bands in late July.

As a writer/researcher with Creative Startups and co-founder of the Creative Economy Finance Network, he has raised $4M+ in grant funding and earned revenue, written comprehensive economic development plans for the State of New Mexico and City of Sacramento, and is currently advising the State Treasurer's Office of California and the Washington State Department of Commerce on creative economy financing strategies.

As some dude who grew up with garbage bag curtains on the third floor of an apartment built for railroad workers in rural Northern California, his adulthood stacks of 1099s have paved a life of hustling to open up more opportunities for more people to make more art. What he loves most is to empower working artists to achieve ownership stakes in the communities where their labor makes for stronger economies and brighter reasons to live.

Independent singer-songwriter and rapper Jonah Marks recently released his debut album, POEMS (May 1), a deeply personal project rooted in community and human connection.

After spending more than a decade working behind the scenes in artist management and concert production, including booking shows at WWU, Jonah Marks is turning his focus to his own career as an artist.

Jonah will celebrate POEMS with a release show at Sunset Tavern in Seattle on May 15.

Craig Jewell is a Bellingham-based venue owner, talent buyer, and live event producer with nearly two decades of experience in the music industry. A graduate of Western Washington University (2009), he earned a degree in Communication with a minor in International Business.

Craig became co-owner of Wild Buffalo House of Music in 2008 and has served as its talent buyer and manager ever since, helping establish it as one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier independent venues. He has also booked talent for Summer Meltdown Festival and a variety of other festivals and concert series.

In addition to his venue work, Craig is a strategic partner at VenuePilot and co-owner of The Den, a community-focused bar in downtown Bellingham. He is actively involved in the local arts and business community, serving on boards including the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, the Washington State Nightlife and Music Association, Upfront Theatre, and the Bellingham Tourism Commission.

Outside of his professional work, Craig is a lifelong musician who has played in numerous bands over the past 20 years, driven by a deep and enduring love for live music.

Britt Lunniss is a Seattle-based freelance entertainment photographer and journalist. You can find her in basement venues, festivals, and haunted theaters across the city. Britt has degrees in Sociology and Music from Pacific Lutheran University, as well as an M.A. in Sociology from UMass Boston. Her photos, album reviews, and band interviews can be found in publications such as The Stranger and The Inlander. Favorite artists she’s covered include Grace Jones, Taylor Swift, Chappell Roan, and Ru Paul. Britt’s art is inspired by drama — bold colors, high contrast, movement, and lots of *glitter.* Dedicated to the craft — Britt once broke her ankle while on assignment, continued shooting, and then drove herself to the ER. When not working, she enjoys stand-up comedy, true-crime podcasts, being witchy, and singing to her dog, Selena. Find her work at britttakemypic.com and on Instagram @britttakemypic.

Rob Achin is a Booking Coordinator at The Crocodile in Seattle. His current position includes offer-writing, calendar oversight, and liaison to other venue departments. Rob started his career in music in Boulder, CO, hanging posters and handing out flyers for the local venues. Before moving to Seattle, he previously worked on the booking agent side of things at Madison House (now a part of Dynamic Talent). He is an avid home cook and has traveled all over the country to see Phish.

Nick Duncan is the A&R Manager at Seattle-based independent record label Sub Pop Records, where he has been responsible for signing artists like Frankie Cosmos, Orville Peck, Telehealth, and more. Nick is a lifelong Seattleite and got his start in music as the music director at KUGS FM in Bellingham, WA, before joining Sub Pop in 2013.

Abby-Rose Linn is the bookkeeper at The Vera Project in Seattle, Washington. She grew up in Shoreline, Washington, and began playing guitar and writing songs at age 12, quickly realizing she wanted a career in music.

In high school, she became the go-to person for helping friends arrange the logistics of their gigs. When a friend suggested she consider artist management, a lightbulb went off leading her to pursue a degree in music business. During school, she discovered a passion for the organizational side of the industry, especially loving spreadsheets and contracts.

After graduating at the start of the pandemic in 2020, Abby-Rose joined The Vera Project in 2022. There she began working in show production and later booking bands. In 2025, she returned to school to study accounting and transitioned into managing finances at Vera, a role she finds extremely rewarding.

With a third venue on the horizon, Abby-Rose is excited about the opportunities ahead and the continued growth of the community she supports.

Juliet Daniel is a singer-songwriter raised in Sonoma County, California, now based in Seattle. Her music sits at the intersection of alt pop and soft emo: coming-of-age, end-of-summer, sweetly falling apart. Drawing from alt rock, indie, and electronic influences, her songs trace the tensions of early adulthood: career pressure, identity, and the cost of holding yourself together for too long.

Her latest releases have earned placements on Spotify editorial playlists including "All New Pop" and Apple Music's "New in Alternative." She has performed at Capitol Hill Block Party, shared stages with Stela Cole and Fiji Blue, and she makes her Bumbershoot debut this summer.

A Stanford-educated former tech professional turned full-time independent artist, Juliet speaks from experience on maintaining a creative practice, navigating the festival circuit, and what it means to build a music career as a woman doing it independently.

Music is everything in my life. It’s how I decompress from stress, how I connect with people, how I have fun, and so much more. I grew up attending concerts and playing in bands, and even recorded myself and others, but once I got to Western, everything picked up. I completed the studio recording minor through Fairhaven and quickly started recording bands in studios, but came to the reality of needing money to do the things I loved. This pushed me into live audio, and this is where I’ve mostly lived since, though I still do a lot of recording, mixing, and production for various projects. All that said, while I’m very much focused on the audio side of events and music, I advance events with promoters and project managers, and have worked in many of the various positions in a festival setting. These days, I work in a multitude of venues in various cities, work for production companies that do everything from corporate gigs to festivals, and tour with bands in the US.