Michelle Conceison is an artist manager and business owner. She's had artists sell out world tours while teaching how to promote concerts to the future of the music industry. She's also had artists have top albums and radio singles while teaching her students how to manage artists. But above all those things, she's always been an educator at heart. Conceison was named chair of Middle Tennessee State University's Recording Industry Department earlier this semester.
"I came from a family of educators. My dad spent almost four decades teaching in the public school system in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My sister just retired from teaching high school. We all teach; we're a family of service careers," said Conceison, who has taught at MTSU since 2018 and owns her own marketing and artist management company, Mmgt. "I'm teaching the things I love most. My dream has always been music."
One of Conceison's favorite things about her role at MTSU is working closely with other faculty members in the College of Media and Entertainment and having a front-row seat to what students are doing in and out of the classroom.
"We have the best possible students. At other places I've taught, I've experienced students who dreamt about being in the music industry, and our students are already in it. If you look at our alums, they're leading in the industry. It's no wonder you can find multiple MTSU alums at any music industry event you attend — whether on stage or behind the scenes. Where there is music, MTSU is there," Conceison said.
Two of those students are Carly Smith and Kelly Grenvik, who graduate from MTSU's Recording Arts and Technologies MFA program in May.
"I have had so many amazing and truly life-changing experiences during my time in the MFA program," Smith said. "The professors here are some of the top instructors in the country, and they encourage you to pursue your passions and interests. My favorite experience and opportunity is the collaboration between students. This is such a great learning opportunity for the real-life experiences we will see once we graduate.”
Smith and Grenvik, who are both certified in Dolby Atmos music mixing, are in the process of opening up a production studio that focuses on immersive audio production, mixing and consultations.
"We want to help artists and labels capitalize on using new technology as a tool to further creativity and inspire a new school of thought for music production," explained Grenvik, adding they also want to provide a space for women in the industry to "have their voices and art heard and supported."
MTSU's Department of Recording Industry began in 1973 with just two professors and one studio. The department has grown to more than two dozen professors, 1,400 students, 13 studios, six labs and a songwriting center.
"Going to school at MTSU was easily the best decision I have ever made. Not only did I meet incredible people, but the university empowered me to have confidence in my skill sets and myself as a young professional. All schools offer education, but MTSU offers education and a network of people who will do whatever they can to help you succeed. I will always be grateful for my time here," Grenvik said.
"Where there is music, MTSU is there,"