Meet The Team

The Modern Musician team is made up of highly-talented musicians who understand what it takes to be an independent artist in today’s industry. They have been trained in Michael’s refined methodology and all bring their own experiences and expertise to the company.

leadership

**Michael Walker** - CEO

Michael Walker, founder of Modern Musician, is a successful and highly renowned musician and entrepreneur. He is a husband, father and member of Paradise Fears . After touring professionally for the last eight years, Michael decided to set up Modern Musician to teach other artists and bands the skills needed to have a profitable music career.

Stephen Warner - COO

Stephen is a hip hop artist who lives to share his heart through music and make a positive impact on fans. With expertise in the technical side of marketing, he is passionate about helping independent artists reach a genuine audience and empowers clients through every step of our program to produce incredible results.

eli lev.jpg — **Eli Lev -** CPO

International touring artist and global citizen Eli Lev is making the world a smaller place, one song at a time. Eli pens lyrics and melodies for everyday enlightenment that offer the wisdom he’s gained through lifelong travel and self-discovery. Some of his passions include connecting with his Levitators community, getting geeky with building online automated systems, and helping artists make a full-time living doing what they love.

**Ben Gauthier** - CTO

Ben has more than a decade of experience building and launching software products. As a software engineer, UX designer, and founder of Thryve - an AI based communication platform - he has been able to provide direct leadership to the growth of technology companies across multiple industries. He worked directly with some of the largest names in film and television as the CTO of ZÜM Media, creating interactive technology for their media projects. He has also led multiple acquisitions, built software that has served millions of users, and been issued several technology patents.

**Megan Leigh** - Event Coordinator

Award-winning singer-songwriter Megan Leigh from Western Maryland showcases her distinctive sound in a broad range of musical styles, both in her own solo project and in her duo, Wild Whispers. With a unique ear for harmony, Megan’s captivating vocals have been featured on a variety of different music projects. Megan is thrilled to be supporting the Modern Musician team as Human Resources Manager and Event Coordinator.

**Zack King** - Lead Talent Scout

Zack King, your friendly talent scout at Modern Musician, is here to navigate the vibrant world of music with you. Using his background in indie alternative-rock, he spots and supports up-and-coming artists, helping them shine and connect in a community that fosters innovation and growth. With Zack, it's not just about finding talent; it's about building the next wave of music, one artist at a time.

logan stewart.jpg — **Logan Stewart** - Director of Artist Success

Logan Stewart is an indie-pop singer/songwriter from the small town of Richmond Hill, Georgia. Logan's music is down-to-earth yet uplifting, inspiring his fans to be present in the moment and embrace both the good and the bad in their life. Logan works closely with the artists in our program to help them automate their entire marketing system to bring in new fans overnight.

ari+welkom.jpg — **Ari Welkom** - Director of Partnerships

Ari launched his solo project “Avatari” when he began his mentorship with Modern Musician. Through the tools he learned as a Gold Artist he’s created a thriving fan community which fosters a culture of Peace, Love and Empowerment. Ari’s other passion is his family - happily married with an awesome three year old son named Rumi, who is already playing guitar and drums (loudly!).

jared c.jpg — **Jared Christianson** - Podcast Producer & Fan Magnet Team Leader

Jared Christianson is the founder and lead singer of the progressive metal band Arkaik and has toured North America for over 10 years with many of the biggest names in the extreme metal genre. Jared has an intuitive passion for helping musicians reach their goals by mentoring from a place of compassion and personal experience. Jared also co-founded the Modern Musician Podcast.

Artist Identity Coaches

**HannaH Ardenski**

HannaH has released 7 albums with her group HannaH's Field. Sharing music to tune listeners into loves vibration, she has opened for many National acts and is in regular rotation on Sirius XM. As a Dream Builder Life Coach, she delivers programs to help clients clarify their vision, tap into their power and find their true voice. She traveled to an oceanside retreat center in Hawaii, where she received certification as a Sadhana Yoga Instructor. She loves helping Independent Artists promote their music and build their fan community.

REVENUE SYSTEM COACHES

**Shane Heilman**

Shane Heilman is an independent artist, producer, songwriter, vocalist, and guitarist originally from Madison, SD.
Under the artist name The Psalms Project, Shane has collaborated with over 70 musicians, including two Grammy nominees, to produce music that has sold thousands of albums and millions of streams worldwide.
Shane is passionate about mentorship, fatherhood, coaching, his wife Emily, and helping others find and live out their purpose.

pamela mary.jpg — **Pamela Mary**

Pamela Mary is a singer/songwriter and vocal coach and after graduating from the Gold Artist Program, Pamela joined the Modern Musician team.
She battles multiple sclerosis, which lead her to become a Wahls Protocol Certified Health Practitioner to help other women with MS.
Pamela is currently finishing her doctorate in Psychology in which she has previously specialized in ADHD and music psychology.

FAN MAGNET COACHES

**Savannah Pope**

Savannah Pope is an art rock singer, songwriter, and creator from Los Angeles. Recently named Top Rocker by LA Weekly and the only indie artist to make it onto Yahoo! Entertainment's top 20 Music Videos list, her latest single "You're Such a Human Being" was voted into top 5 rotation on KROQ FM's Locals Only for a month straight, marking her as a formidable newcomer in a catalog of otherwise major artists. Savannah has a great passion for the success of independent musicians and the visibility of their meaningful work.

**Aaron Gordon**

Aaron Gordon is a singer-songwriter hailing from the beautiful Okanagan Valley in BC, Canada. He's won FACTOR Grants, Songwriter Competitions and toured with Chris Vrenna of Nine Inch Nails/Marylin Manson. His band “Three Scotch In’“ is focused on mental health and continues to see massive growth moving forward with MM's guidance.
Aaron runs a successful wedding entertainment company and having amplified his business is now paying it forward with Modern Musician as a Fan Magnet Coach.

AUTOMATION & tribal accelerator COACHES

**Will Bearyman**

Will "Hookdiggy" Bearyman is a Throwback Modern Hip-Hop Artist whose focus is good music built on good vibes. He has amassed hundreds of thousands of streams, worked with music industry veterans, been a member of the Recording Academy, voted on Grammy Awards and is an award winning filmmaker. He is excited to help other artists use automation to help promote themselves.

**Grant Cometa**

Grant is a registered nurse by day, musician by night, also shining as an automation coach at Modern Musician. His band "Cometa" has snagged top gigs and a "Best Hard Rock" nomination at the New England Music Awards, sharing the stage with bands like Hawthorne Heights and New Found Glory, as well as the prestigious Vans Warped Tour.

**Anna Correia**

Anna, who also goes by her artist name Nana Razaia, is a singer-songwriter, producer, engineer, and creative director based in LA. Being the only child of immigrant Brazilian parents, she pays homage to her Brazilian roots through melodic playfulness and free flowing lyrics. Experienced in web design, graphic design, and AR design, she feels right at home with teaching others how to use automation.

Talent Scouts

**Chance Strickland**

Chance is a multi-instrumentalist music producer and DJ. Whether he's bringing his uplifting and high-energy vibes to festivals, or venue dance floors he seeks to craft sounds with the intention of expanding the collective mainframe through his own unique brand of sonic adventures. He enjoys helping artists realize their dream and potential by connecting them with means to take their careers into their own hands.

Artist Support

**Allie McDonald**

Allie McDonald is a classically trained artist with a Bachelor's Degree in Music, who writes and performs chamber-folk music.
Using her unique voice, haunting sound, and surprisingly powerful voice, her music can give chills to even the most detached listeners.
Allie focuses on using her music as catharsis to help those who need it, using the heartbreaking music she so often performs.

Creative Team

**Curtis Peel -** Head of Creative and Design

Curtis, the dynamic head of creative and design at Modern Musician, is our go-to wizard for graphics, artwork, and videos. A musician and director with a knack for animation, he spearheads our vibrant content, infusing each project with innovation and flair.

**Nia Hearon -** Video Editor

Nia is a love inspired singer, songwriter, speaker, producer, director, and creative music artist of soul, hip hop, jazz, and truth. After going through the gold artist program, Nia joined the Modern Musician as our in-house video editor!

SOFTWARE team

Spencer Grimes - Lead Software Developer

Spencer Grimes is a husband, father, artist and software builder.

Additionally he's the founder, singer and song-writer for the Minneapolis based indie-rock band, Whosah.

He's deeply passionate about connecting and empowering people to live and work as their best selves through software, music, and building relationships.