Music Business
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11/16/2009 - Winter Quarter Registration Begins
11/26/2009 - Thanksgiving (School Closed)
11/27/2009 - Thanksgiving Friday (School Closed)
12/4/2009 - Winter Quarter Registration Ends
12/23/2009 - Fall Quarter Ends
12/24/2009 - Christmas Eve (School Closed)

Meet Our Music Business Instructors: Industry Pros


Learn from those who do. Instructors in our Music Business programs are themselves successful entrepreneurs and business managers for the entertainment industry. If you want to join that select group, our faculty members will provide you with the training you need to succeed and valuable professional networking opportunities.

Mitch Hare, Associate Dean, Music Business Program

Mitch is Program Director and an instructor for our Music Business programs. He has more than 30 years of experience in the music business as a performer, artist contractor and owner of his own music contracting business. He has been playing music forever, starting as a bassist with local bar bands performing on two albums and touring full time with the regional jump blues band, “The Michael James Band”. While with MJB, he shared the same stage with national recording artists BB King, Joe Cocker, The Guess Who and Little Anthony and the Imperials. After getting off the road, Mitch focused on performing up to 100 dates a year locally with artists in the “corporate band” scene. This allowed him to maintain a successful career and develop business relationships by contracting some of the area’s best musicians for work on corporate and social special events for some of the area’s largest companies. Mitch continues to find work as a keyboardist in the Twin Cities, currently performing with singer/songwriter Aimee Fischer.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Minnesota,where he studied music theory under the direction of David Dahmschroeder. While at the University, he also studied piano, voice and performed in the esteemed Chamber Singer’s ensemble. Mitch studied jazz piano and theory with noted jazz pianist, Severin Behnen at the MacPhail Center for the Arts in Minneapolis. 

As an educator, Mitch has developed curriculum for the Music Business department and particularly enjoys his work with the students, teaching Audio and Music Business classes. He coordinates the annual Music Business Perspectives series which brings industry professionals together annually for a forum on current issues affecting the entertainment business. In 2007 he worked with the Shubert Performing Arts Center to promote “Backstage Pass”, a month-long web event presenting a behind the scenes look at a touring rock band. His work as Program Director at Globe University/Minnesota School of Business provides him with the opportunity to work with fellow instructors, coordinators and campus staff in further developing the program at the administrative level.
He is a member of the Music and Entertainment Industry Educator’s Association, the Music Educator’s National Conference and the Minnesota Music Educator’s Association.

Charles Gehr, Music Business Instructor, Richfield and Woodbury

Charles has a Masters degree in Business Administration, a Bachelors degree in Music Performance from Augsburg College, and an Associate degree from McNally Smith.

Charles is an accomplished agent and manager, coordinating tours for international artists. He plays drums in Ouija Radio, and recently played concerts at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas. Years of national touring make Charles a leading expert in the many skills of road managing and tour logistics.

Charles was musical director for Voltage Fashion Amplified, an event that filled First Avenue. He has extensive credits as a recording artist, performer, label owner, talent buyer and manger. Charles teaches on the “Business” side of music business, capitalizing on his acumen in Marketing and Small Business Management.

Charles Artist Management classes develop and produce benefit shows at night clubs, giving students an opportunity to work hands-on. In progress is an internet radio station, WMSB, for GU/MSB students.
http://www.myspace.com/ouijaradio
http://www.myspace.com/supergehr

Steve Gittus, Music Business Instructor, Brooklyn Center and Woodbury

Craig Grossman, Music Business Instructor, Brooklyn Center and Woodbury

Chris Hinding, Music Business Coordinator, Richfield

Chris has a certificate from the R.I.A. in Audio Engineering/Production, and several Apple certifications. His B.A. from the U of M is in “Audio and Visual Arts”. He has an associate degree from Globe University/Minnesota School of Business in web design and is a member of the Grammy Association, AES, and the MMA.

Chris is co-owner of Sugarfoot Music, an internet based music label. His CD “For New Orleans” benefits New Orleans musicians through Habitat for Humanity. The CD includes Grammy winner Dan Wilson, Natalie Merchant, Indigo Girls, Jeff Buckley, Jayhawks, & Paul Westerberg. Chris and Bobby Z (Navarre) placed “For New Orleans” in 1,000 music stores nationwide, including 800 Best Buys.

An award winning audio engineer, Chris was an owner of the legendary Tracks on Fifth studios in St. Paul. His live sound and studio credits include Muddy Waters, Elvis Costello, Patty Smith, Bonnie Raitt, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Peter Himmelman, Rio Nido, Prudence Johnson, Vixen, Peter Lang & the Flamin Ohs.

Chris has logged over 2,000 recording sessions, recording countless albums and demos. Commercial production and composing clients include B96, Best Buy, Miller Brewing Co., Minnesota Zoo, Hot Shots & KQRS.

Chris is a successful band leader and bassist, and has performed over 4,000 live shows. He is an accomplished children's music producer & entertainer with the AlphaBits Band. Other professional level skills: internet consultant, webmaster, photographer, bass player, and videographer.

As an instructor, Chris specializes in teaching the new music “revolution”, utilizing the web, multimedia & entrepreneur skills. In his classes students may work on podcasts, music videos, and develop web sites: youTube, Facebook & MySpace. Chris’s classes learn ProTools, sound design, multimedia, create DVDs and learn to promote on the Internet.

Dugan McNeill, Music Business Instructor, Brooklyn Center

Dugan teaches MIDI production in the Globe University/Minnesota School of Business Music Business programs.

If there could be one word to describe Dugan McNeill that word would be “innovator.” A true music visionary, always one step ahead of the curve, Dugan has consistently been on the cutting edge of the music business. Growing up in north Minneapolis and joining his first band at age 16 as a bass player, Dugan quickly learned that music would be his life. By the time he was 21 he was known to thousands of fans in the Midwest as a member of the extremely popular rock band, Chameleon. Dugan was key in their success as one of the first unsigned original bands to produce and manufacture their own albums. They even outsold the Rolling Stones one week, a feat written up in “Rolling Stone” magazine. 

After leaving Chameleon, Dugan signed a solo recording contract with major label Polygram Records and recorded the critically acclaimed album In The Velvet Night. Billboard Magazine called it “Stunning,” and a video for the single “Walls Came Down” enjoyed heavy rotation on MTV in the late 80’s.  

Over the years, Dugan has worked with notables including: Andy Wallace (Nirvana, Pearl Jam), Tom Tucker Sr. (Prince, Lucinda Williams, Soul Asylum) Instrumental icon Yanni, and Owen Davies (Doves).

He continues to engineer and produce projects spanning the globe, working in many of the top recording facilities in the world including TownHouse in London, Paisley Park and MasterMix in Minneapolis, Record Plant in New York City and Bernie Grundman’s in Los Angeles. Dugan and his wife, recording artist Pamela McNeill, own a state of the art recording studio called “The Chalet.” They tour regularly with their 5-piece band in support of Pamela’s music and have developed a fervent following in the Midwest.

For his role as a phenomenal rock bass player in “Chameleon” as well as for his skill as a producer/engineer and solo artist, Dugan was featured in the book Music Legends - A Rewind on the Minnesota Music Scene, written by Martin Keller and released in 2007.

Dugan is also a much-loved instructor at the Institute of Production and Recording (IPR) in Minneapolis, where he has taught Production and Engineering for over six years. As a founding faculty member, he played an integral part in the curriculum development of IPR and helped to set the expressive and creative tone of the school.

Pamela McNeill, Music Business Instructor

Pamela teaches Artist Management and Live Performance in the Globe University/Minnesota School of Business Music Business program.

Versatility has been the key to Pamela McNeill’s success. Whether it’s singing for 50 people in a small acoustic room in Excelsior, MN, to belting it out for 50,000 screaming fans at The Tokyo Dome in Japan, she knows what the gig calls for and how to get it done. Singing for as long as she can remember, she began playing piano by ear when she was seven and started formal lessons on her Grandma’s Hammond organ at age 8.

She joined her first rock ’n’ roll band at 15 as a lead singer, and “played every dive between Winona, (MN) and Canada that existed – and LOVED it!”

Moving to London shortly after high school, she immersed herself in its rich music scene. Soon she was performing at the Royal Albert Hall, singing at “The Royal Variety Show” for the Queen and appearing on BBC’s “Top of the Pops” and in music videos as a backing singer for British Pop Star Rick Astley.

After honing her songwriting skills in England, she moved back to America, where major publishing labels came calling. Eventually she signed with Windswept Pacific in Los Angeles, and her career as a singer/songwriter began to blossom.

Besides songwriting for her own solo career, she has had songs recorded by various artists including Wynonna (Judd) and Instrumental icon Yanni, whose album Tribute earned her a platinum album award. Another song, “Troubled Waters” was featured on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.” In 2004 she was nominated for “Female Singer/Songwriter of the Year” on JustPlainFolks.com, a popular international contest which drew over 100,000 entries.

Her voice has been featured as a session singer on many well–known commercials and ads throughout the US. Her song “The Gift” became the national theme song for the United Way and its NFL partnership in 1999-2000.  

She has released 3 CDs: 1999’s 2 Sides To Every Sky, 2002’s American Breakup and in 2007 she released the critically acclaimed Nightingale. Her five-piece band tours regularly in support of Pamela’s music, and has developed a fervent following in the Midwest. She has shared the stage with blues legend Etta James, Little River Band, Atlanta Rhythm Section, Bachman Turner Overdrive and Boston.

She, along with her musician / producer husband Dugan McNeill, owns her own record label, SweetHeart Records, and a state-of-the-art recording studio called The Chalet. Currently, Pamela is working on 2 new solo albums and hopes to release the first one within the year.

Her successful music career is acknowledged in the book Music Legends - A Rewind on the Minnesota Music Scene, written by Martin Keller and released in 2007.

Along with her career as an artist, Pamela has a great passion for teaching. She is one of the founding faculty members of IPR (the Institute of Production and Recording) in Minneapolis and played a key role in helping to develop its curriculum. She has been an instructor for over 6 years at IPR teaching Vocal Production, Songwriting and Digital Recording (she is Pro Tools Certified).
Helping her students to realize their full potential in the many aspects of the music business is, according to Pamela, “the perfect way to give back for all of the amazing opportunities I’ve been given!”

Gary Sklenar, Lead Music Business Instructor, St Cloud

Gary has been a working musician since 1986, touring and recording in the Midwest with original projects and performing in house bands as a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, drummer and keyboardist/sequencer. He studied communications and voice at the University of Minnesota, and is completing his Bachelor of Arts in Business at The Minnesota School of Business. He worked as a web programmer and developer for an online education content provider, retail manager and trainer for Bose audio, and in advertising and marketing at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. 

Currently, he is the lead vocalist of cover-band LRO, and performs annually as Neil Diamond in the hugely successful “Tribute to the Last Waltz”. He is also working on creating a production and music marketing company and developing new and existing musical artists with the Quiditty Records label and Bryte Spot Studios. He is presently working in the studio with Twin Cities legend Pat Hayes of Lamont Cranston, and with the Melissa Moser band on new album projects.

John Skoy, Music Business Coordinator, Brooklyn Center

John Skoy has been active in the music business since age 16, when he formed his first band “Copper” (1995-2004) in Hibbing, MN. The band would go on to release 2 albums, play hundreds of regional shows, negotiate with Atlantic Records in 2001. John has also been a member of bands “Allusion” and “Audio Oblivion” and is currently performing acoustically. A songwriter, artist manager, and multiple instrument musician (guitar, piano, vocals, trumpet, bass), John continues to write and record material in his own project studio. 

John holds a Bachelor of Science in Music Management from Minnesota State University and will be completing his MBA in June of 2008.  He is a member of Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association, the Minnesota Music Academy and the National Honor Society.  

Throughout the years, John has held many diverse roles within the industry. Running sound and lighting for national acts at a theme park, working for Two Fish Recording Studios in Mankato and with Moving Records mobile recording, and founding the experimental City Sound Music group. John has been the Program Coordinator at the Brooklyn Center campus of Globe University/Minnesota School of Business since 2005, instructing all of the music business classes, overseeing the music business club, and fostering the growth of the program.

Rhonda Laurie Smith, Music Business Instructor, Richfield

Rhonda Laurie hails from New York City, where she grew up in a family of professional musicians and performers. Rhonda began her career as a cabaret singer in Manhattan nightclubs. She has studied vocal jazz with the renowned Janet Lawson, Sheila Jordan, Jay Clayton and Judy Niemack. Locally she has performed at the Dakota, Rossis Blue Star, Artists Quarter, Bar Lurcat, Patricks Cabaret, Cave Vin, and the Lake Harriet bandshell. Rhonda performed at the 2004, 2005 and 2006 Hot Summer Jazz Festival in Minneapolis. She is President of the MN Chapter of the Jazz Vocal Coalition (JZVOC).

Rhonda has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the State University of New York (SUNY).

Besides being a marvelous jazz vocalist, Rhonda is an excellent instructor. She takes special care with incoming Music Biz students to get them started on their Music Business Career paths.

Jeff Taube, Music Business Instructor, Richfield

Jeff is a very successful manager and booking agent, with his company, Mid America Talent. Jeff steers the careers of Mint Condition, The Truth, International Reggae All Stars and more, has taken his groups on tours of Asia and Europe, and has launched radio hits in the US and internationally. Jeff is now moving into licensing, placing songs in movies and TV.

Jeff regularly fills top Midwest clubs with special events, including tributes to artists like Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye and James Brown. He is an executive producer for several CDs including a European buzz CD “The Truth – Live”.

Jeff teaches one Globe University/Minnesota School of Business evening class each quarter in Edina. A recent class threw a benefit at the Cabooze Bar in Minneapolis and raised $3,000 for a kidney transplant patient. Jeff’s classes cover pop music history and crucial industry news right off the pages of Pollstar and Billboard. Jeff has a vintage guitar collection that is the envy of his fellow instructors.

Visit us. Get to know us. Join us.

If you are interested in a career in the music and entertainment industry, Globe University/Minnesota School of Business will provide the training you need to stand above other job candidates. Contact us and a representative will answer your questions, conduct a campus tour and help you evaluate our program in light of your personal goals. If you decide to enroll, the rep will help you with the entire administrative process.