ABOUT
Sharon Tapper is Executive Director, Music Managers Forum-US, the leading trade association for artist managers and self-managed artists in the U.S. Since Tapper joined in 2022, the organization has grown by over 600%, expanding from its LA and NY roots to new chapters in Miami, Chicago, Nashville, Austin, Boston, and most recently, Atlanta. MMF-US provides vital education, advocacy and global connections through its partnership with the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF), supporting music managers and self-managed artists across the country.
With a background in artist management, music publishing and studio operations, Tapper has held leadership roles at Kobalt and Razor & Tie and worked with artists including The Cranberries, Slash, George Michael and Seal.
A longtime member of the Recording Academy’s New York Chapter, Tapper served 14 years as Governor and Secretary of the Executive Committee, including six consecutive terms as Co-Chair of its Advocacy Committee. She also served for four years on the New York Board of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and co-founded NYC3, a network created to champion and support New York City’s creative professionals.
MMF-US social media links:
https://www.instagram.com/mmf_us/
https://www.youtube.com/@MusicManagersForumUS
https://www.facebook.com/mmfus/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/mmf-us/
https://twitter.com/mmfus
PANELS
Music Managers: The New Power Brokers:
Let’s be honest: the center of gravity in the music industry has shifted. In 2026, the people shaping careers, controlling budgets, and driving long-term strategy aren’t sitting exclusively inside labels or platforms. They’re managers. What began as a cottage trade is now a global profession, with managers serving as the industry’s central power brokers. They are the only role structurally positioned to operate across every sector of the ecosystem on behalf of the artist: translating artistic vision into strategy, deals, and sustainable careers. Modern management is about leadership, leverage, and long-term value creation in a decentralized, global marketplace. This panel dives into how that influence is exercised, how power is stewarded responsibly, and how managers are shaping the future of the global music economy.
Thursday, October 15, 2026, 3:15 PM