It must be pretty satisfying for students at ASU to have its own Popular Music Program as part of the School of Music, Dance and Theatre. Frankly, I imagine it isn’t something that’s very common on college and/or university campuses– even in 2025.
To its credit, ASU proudly rectified that in 2021, the year the Popular Music Program commenced. It’s also overseeing the Music Industry Career Conference (or MICC if you prefer), now in its third year and will be taking place this Fri. March 28 and Sat. March 29 at Fusion on First on the ASU downtown campus.
To be honest, I had never heard of this conference until last month. As many of you know who live downtown, business conferences take place there all the time. However, it’s fair to say that a music business conference has never happened here— until MICC arrived that is.
“This event, at its core, is intended to be an immersive experience for anyone who’s persuing music as a career” said Tuo Clark, Faculty Associate Professor in the Popular Music program at ASU. He was also Sr. VP of Def Jam Recordings from 2016 to 2021.
He continued. “It’s so important for musicians to learn about the many aspects of this business. In fact, I actually started teaching at ASU not long after I attended the first (edition of) MICC in 2023 as a panelist”, Clark said to me in a recent phone chat.
“Once I met some of the students that year, it really inspired me to really give back to the music community here in Phoenix. Which, as you may know, has grown significantly in recent years.”
Clark is confident that this year’s conference is going to be “the best one yet”. With Keynote Speaker Timbaland appearing on Saturday at 10:45 a.m., there will also be live performances by Valley favorites Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra and other local artists at Civic Space Park from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
By the way, the afternoon concert is free and open to the public.
Given the (diminishing and disgraceful) state of music education in K-12 public schools–out of plain curiosity– I asked Clark about the state of music education on a collegiate level. In other words, is it in a good place at least, in his estimation?
“I would say yes for the most part”, Clark stated optimistically. “We are very fortunate here at ASU to have the Popular Music program. Because for me, teaching isn’t just about assigning lessons from a book.”
He concluded. “I want our students to have hands-on access to all the facets of the business, or as many of them as possible. It’s also important to note that the music business isn’t just about being a performer. You have songwriters, producers, live concert promotion. It’s all intertwined with one another.”
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Music Industry Career Conference 2025
WHEN: This Fri. March 28 and Sat. March 29.
WHERE: Fusion on First @ ASU Downtown Campus, 1st Avenue & Fillmore St. (380 N. 1st. Avenue).
COST: General admission for the public, $200.
*NOTE: Arizona high school, community college and university students can get a discounted rate of $50 with “edu” e-mail address when registering. Must present a valid school ID at check-in.
**ASU Popular Music students receive free entry by using a password provided by their department.
Full details on complete conference information can be found at the link below: https://asuevents.asu.edu/event/music-industry-career-conference-2025-asu-popular-music
