Music Industry Moves: Universal and UCLA Announce Berry Gordy Scholarship; NIVA Names Audrey Fix Schaefer President of Board

Universal Music Group and UCLA’s Herb Alpert School of Music have announced the establishment of theBerry Gordy Music Industry Scholarship, in honor of the legendary founder of Motown Records, and in partnership with the UCLA Foundation. The scholarship, endowed by UMG, will support high-potential students studying in the school’s Music Industry program. Each year, a student with exceptional promise and in need of financial aid will be named a Berry Gordy Scholar and receive funding for tuition, housing and other expenses.

“For more than 65 years, Berry Gordy’s name has been synonymous with artistry and the transformative power of music,” said UMG CEO Lucian Grainge (pictured above, right, with Gordy). “Through this scholarship, UMG is honoring his enduring legacy by investing in a new generation of young people who will help carry that spirit forward.”

UMG’s endowment “will help open doors for many more students and continue to pave the way for music to be a force for good and change,” Gordy added.

+ The National Independent Venue Assn. has named Audrey Fix Schaefer as board president. Schaefer is the longtime head of communications for I.M.P. and played a prominent role in the pandemic-era “Save Our Stages” act, replaces Andre Perry in the role.

“As Audrey assumes leadership of the Board, NIVA and our members are excited for her to continue the work she has led since our founding to elevate NIVA into an international brand, make us a part of critical national conversations relevant to our sector, and lead the way on state legislation,” said NIVA Executive Director Stephen Parker.

Schaefer added, “I’m remembering the words of NIVA’s co-founder and first president, Dayna Frank, who said in the throes of the pandemic, when nothing was certain, ‘First we survive, then we thrive.’ Together, we’re a force.”

NIVA also named two new members to its board: Courtney McClary Yug, director of operations at SBG Productions, and Gary Witt, CEO and co-owner of the Pabst Theater Group. Kira Karbocus, founder and principal consultant at Karbocus & Co., was appointed treasurer.

+ Sony Music Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston has joined the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s board of officers and trustees, while Jody Williams, founder of the publishing company that bears his name, was reelected to another year as board chair.

Executive officers reelected include Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill as president; Al Giombetti as executive vice president; David Ross as secretary; and Ernie Williams as treasurer.

+ Sony Music Publishing has announced the signing of Canadian singer-songwriter Noeline Hofmann to a global publishing agreement. The title track from her debut EP, “Purple Gas,” was featured by Zach Bryan as a duet on his latest album, “The Great American Bar Scene.”

Sony Music Publishing VP Scout Easley said, “Noeline is an exceptional songwriter, and she is already connecting with audiences in a profound way. Helen Lazenby and I are so excited to welcome her to the SMP family and to support her as she continues to make her mark.”