Heather McDonald, Ph.D.

Instructor and Director of the Music Industry Concentration

Dr. Heather McDonald is an Instructor of Arts Management and the Director of the Music Industry Concentration. She holds a Ph.D. in Arts Administration from the University of Kentucky, an MBA with a Music Industry Focus from a joint Berklee College of Music program, and a BA in International Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
 
Heather has worked in multiple capacities in the music industry in the US and Scotland and has written extensively about the music industry for a number of different publications. Her research focuses on public funding policies for popular music and the role of popular music in supporting more equitable access to the arts. She is a dedicated advocate for students and is passionate about bridging the gap between the popular music sector and academia. Heather currently leads College of Charleston’s student record label, 1770 Records, which she co-founded with her students in 2011, and is the faculty advisor for the Women and Nonbinary in Music Club.  

Education

Ph.D., Arts Administration
University of Kentucky

MBA, Music Business
Berklee College of Music

BA, International Studies, Economics
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 

Courses Taught

ARTM 205: 1770 Records

ARTM 210: Introduction to Music Industry

ARTM 230: The Music Industry in Context

ARTM 255: Presenting the Performing Arts

ARTM 330: Music in the Marketplace

ARTM 360: Special Topics: Becoming a Music Industry Professional

ARTM 360: Special Topics: Global Music Industry Study Abroad

ARTM 380: Independent Study in Arts Management

ARTM 390: Legal Aspects of the Entertainment Industry

ARTM 400: Arts Management Internship

ARTM 401: Music Industry Internship

ARTM 405: Music Industry Capstone