Meet the First Speakers Announced for the 2025 Music Cities Convention in Fayetteville, AR
- Music Cities Events
- May 28
- 4 min read
Get ready to celebrate a major milestone in music policy and urban innovation! The 10th anniversary of the Music Cities Convention is coming to Fayetteville, Arkansas, from September 16–18, 2025—and it promises to be the most impactful edition yet.
Set in this lively college town, known for its deep musical roots and iconic venue George’s Majestic Lounge (est. 1927), the convention brings together global thought leaders and local changemakers. From trailblazing CEOs and cultural strategists to accessibility advocates and AI innovators, this year’s lineup of speakers is united by one mission: to harness the power of music to shape better cities.
As we get closer to the event, we're thrilled to announce the first set of confirmed speakers of the Fayetteville AR Music Cities Convention. A diverse group of global leaders at the intersection of music, urban development, and cultural policy coming from both sides of the Atlantic.
Join us at the Music Cities Convention in Fayetteville AR to connect, collaborate, and reimagine what it means to be a Music City in 2025 and beyond.
Andrew Mosker (CAN) (@andrew_mosker_) — President & CEO, National Music Centre Canada @nmc_canada // Chair West Anthem @westanthemab
Andrew Mosker is a musician, musicologist, executive and passionate champion of Canadian music. He is the founding President & CEO of the National Music Centre in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. NMC is a charitable organization that is home to four of Canada's music halls of fame, a vast collection of Canadian music memorabilia, recording studios and two live music venues. Andrew is also the co-founded and Chair of West Anthem, which is the Alberta Music Cities advocacy initiative.
Sharon Yazowski (USA) — President & CEO, Levitt Foundation @levittfoundation
As President & CEO of the Levitt Foundation, Sharon leads its mission to strengthen communities through free live music. Her work has expanded Levitt programs nationally, from major cities to rural areas, while promoting equity, public-private partnerships, and creative placemaking. In 2021, she pledged to spend down $150M to advance free outdoor concerts across the U.S.
Brian Crowne (USA) — Owner, Crowne Group LLC / George’s Majestic Lounge @georgesmajesticlounge
Brian Crowne has spent the last 35 years immersed in the live music and event industry, first as a touring musician and then transitioning to a concert promoter and venue owner.
Azucena Micó (ESP) — Global Head of Research and Strategy, Sound Diplomacy @sound_diplomacy
Azucena has managed and overseen Sound Diplomacy’s biggest projects –including music, creative industries and night-time economy city strategies; social and economic impact analysis of events; and creative market analysis– for cities, countries, international organisations and private clients worldwide. She established the firm’s quality assurance division, and she is also leading the company's research and strategy.
Preston Poindexter (USA) — Music Ecosystem Manager, CACHE @cachecreate
Preston Poindexter is an event producer and planner from Memphis, TN. He currently leads all music ecosystem-related work for the local nonprofit CACHE. He also owns a small business that provides event and operations solutions to nonprofits and educational institutions across the Southern and Midwestern United States.
Stacey Ryan (USA) (@_staceyryan_) — President, School of Rock @schoolofrock
Stacey Ryan is President of School of Rock, the global leader in performance-based music education with 70,000+ students in 650+ schools across 23 countries. With 20+ years in education-focused leadership, she brings deep expertise in franchising and growth. She’s also the founder of FrontWomen.org, a platform empowering women to lead authentically. Stacey champions inclusive leadership, youth empowerment, and the life-changing power of music.
Ken Lythgoe (GBR) — Head of Corporate Development, DAACI @daaci_ai
Ken Lythgoe is Head of Corporate Development for DAACI which develops next-gen smart & ethical AI creative music tools to empower music makers to meet the rapidly growing demand for personalised music.
Built by a world-class team of musicians and composers, DAACI’s technology is based on over 30 years of research. Incorporating a portfolio of 79 granted patents & supported by the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in AI and Music at QMUL & the innovative Abbey Road Red incubator.
Kelsea McCrary (USA) (@kelseamc) — Chief Cultural & Economic Development Officer, City of Monroe, LA @cityofmonroela
Kelsea McCrary is the Chief Cultural & Economic Development Officer for the City of Monroe, LA. Kelsea has grown arts organizations, programmed historic buildings, executed cultural events, planned quality of life initiatives, worked in music tourism, and led creative place-keeping projects throughout Louisiana for over fifteen years.
Ryan Hauck (USA) (@ryan.hauck.90) — CEO, Experience Fayetteville @fayettevillear
Ryan Hauck is the CEO of Experience Fayetteville, where he promotes the city’s natural beauty, vibrant culture, outdoor recreation, and music scene. With over a decade of experience in tourism marketing, he works with local stakeholders and partners to boost economic growth through strategic campaigns that highlight Fayetteville’s unique offerings and position it as a top travel destination.
Isabel Díez Monedero (ESP) — Accessibility Technician, Fundación Music For All @fundacionmusicforall
Committed professional with strong expertise in OHS, accessibility, CSR, and workplace wellbeing. She has led European inclusion and wellbeing projects at Fujitsu and holds certifications in OHS, Accessibility, and Workplace Wellbeing Coordination. With experience in multinational settings, she blends strategic vision and a people-centered approach to show that wellbeing and performance go hand in hand.
Join global leaders in music, culture, and city-making at the 10th anniversary of the Music Cities Convention. Get your ticket today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of thriving Music Cities.
Comments