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. 

Heather has worked in nearly all aspects of the music industry, from independent record labels to acting as manager and buyer of a record store to tour booking and show promotion. She started out sitting behind a record store counter, first as an employee and then as the manager of a small, independent record store. At the store, Heather worked closely with both major and indie labels on new release promotion and worked on in-store performances from artists across all genres.  She left the record store to move to Glasgow, Scotland, where she worked at indie label Shoeshine Records. There, Heather got to do a little of everything: dealing with manufacturing and distribution, securing international licensing agreements, artist management, tour booking, show promotion and album promotion.

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